INXS’s “Never Tear Us Apart” single was voted Australia’s favourite lyric by viewers of VH1 Australia. The track, released Down Under in 1988 from the nine million-selling “Kick” album, reached No. 8 on the Australian chart.
It also reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was used in the opening credits of the director’s cut of “Donnie Darko” from 2001. The track peaked at No. 24 in the United Kingdom.
Billy Thorpe, a blues rocker and host of the “Nation’s Favourite Lyric” show said, “That song is particularly dear to most Australians so it’s no surprise it has come out on top. It was a wonderful song before Michael’s death but those lyrics became particularly sad and poignant after his death since it was the song they played at his funeral (as his casket was carried out). It added a whole new meaning to the song after Michael’s death and I think Australians remember him when they hear that song.”
Second on the list was Jeff Buckley’s “Last Goodbye” followed by James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful,” Coldplay’s “Yellow,” Oasis’ “Wonderwall,” Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven,” Kasey Chambers’ “The Captain,” Bob Dylan’s “The Times They are a Changin’,” AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long” and U2’s “One”.
U2, Midnight Oil and Silverchair each had three songs in the Top 100 list.
The oldest song was Dylan’s “The Times They Are A Changin'” from 1964 and the youngest was Pete Murray’s “Opportunity” from this year.
The Top 100 program will be screened on Nov. 21.
