Favorite Songs #4: INXS

As some of you may or may not know, the Aussie band INXS is currently hosting a reality TV series to find a new lead singer. Whether the band's future lineup will yield the same number of radio-friendly hits garnered during the 1980's is doubtful, but that doesn't stop us from appreciating the past. And so it is that I ask you to compose (as closely as a possible) a list of the Top Five INXS songs.

Here are the rules (and some tips):

• Please stick to songs that (at least once upon a time) were played on the radio. In other words, please limit yourself to singles. This game is meant to be played by all, and delving into album tracks that nobody outside of hardcore INXS fans would recognize will make these lists rather boring to most.
• Please try to put the songs in order, so that #1 is your personal favorite. If you can't come up with a Top 5, you can still play along. Just do as many (up to five) as you can! If you absolutely cannot put them in a specified order, simply notate that fact.
  
• To refresh your memory as to what songs INXS has bestowed upon us, click here. You will be taken to a fairly comprehensive compliation (via Amazon.com) that includes pretty much every INXS song to hit the radio. Not only will this remind you of their titles, but it will ensure that the songs you choose are eligible (see Rule #1). Furthermore, you can listen to sample clips, ensuring you don't skip over a good song just because the title isn't familiar to you.
• A couple of songs that (I believe) are fairly well known are missing from the above compilation. These songs include "Shine Like it Does" and "Elegantly Wasted." Click on these individual songs to be taken to a CD that includes their samples.

Benny K says...

1. Devil Inside
It's catchy. It's singable. It builds to a nice climax. It's my favorite INXS song.

2. Need You Tonight
Perhaps the most quintessential INXS tune, its distinctive rhythm guitar riff makes it completely unforgettable. Though it maintains a sexy coolness throughout, the subtle build-up of overplaying rhythms keep the listener thoroughly entranced. Good job, INXS.

3. Suicide Blonde
The downside is, this song isn't all that singable. The style is too talkative to urge its listeners to crank up the volume and strain their vocal chords in sweet unison with the song. Nevertheless, it does urge one to crank up the volume just for the music's sake, and that's very important. Like "Need You Tonight," it possesses a darker, sexier attitude that makes it full-fledged "rockin'" in my book. And we need a good harmonica in a rock song now and again.

4. New Sensation
I was tempted to place this one higher on the list, but it suffers from a somewhat non-descript chorus. The verses are incredibly catchy, once again capitalizing on the signature rhythm guitars that make INXS so enjoyable. But the chorus is somewhat anti-climatic, and thus the song ultimately lacks the satisfying punch it needs. Still, it's a mighty fine appetizer.

5. Not Enough Time
A personal favorite, boosted by the fact that you don't hear it all that often. The backing vocals and simplistic tinkering of the piano simply charm me. And, though it isn't earth shattering, the final minute of the song is a nice bit of orchestrated pop-crescendo. Mmm mmm good.

It was a bit hard for me to finalize on this list. Many INXS songs are just plain catchy, I must admit. Still, I had to go with songs that, for the most part, are probably fairly obvious choices. I think I feel pretty good about the end result. No other songs were simulataneously as enjoyable and as well-composed. "Listen Like Thieves," for example, has the reverse problem of "New Sensation." Its verses are decent, but nothing too exciting. Meanwhile, the chorus is very snappy, and perhaps one of my favorites if speaking of choruses alone. Nevertheless, it wasn't worthy of a spot on the Top Five. Oh well, it was my own rules that limited me to a Top Ten. I won't deviate from that, despite the devil inside me.