Never Tear Us Apart

"Never Tear Us Apart" is a power ballad by Australian rock band INXS, released in June 1988 by WEA as the fourth single from their sixth studio album, '' Kick'' (1987). The music was written by keyboardist Andrew Farriss, and the lyrics were written by vocalist Michael Hutchence for his then-girlfriend, Michele Bennett.

In 1988, the single peaked at No. 7 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart, No. 5 on ''Billboard'' US Mainstream Rock chart, No. 14 on the ARIA Singles Chart, and No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1989, the song was nominated for four ARIA Music Awards, winning two; for Best Group and Best Video. In 2014, the single peaked at No. 11 on the ARIA Singles Chart following the success of the miniseries '' INXS: Never Tear Us Apart''. It was ranked at No. 282 on ''Rolling Stone''s list of " The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2021.

Background and composition

The music was written by keyboardist Andrew Farriss, who recorded a blues-style demo; vocalist Michael Hutchence wrote the lyrics for his then-girlfriend, Australian film producer Michele Bennett, who was described as Hutchence's "first real love", with whom he was in a relationship from 1982 to 1987 and remained close friends until his death – Bennett was the last person that Hutchence called on the morning of his death, on 22 November 1997. In a 2019 interview with ''NME'', Richard Lowenstein, who was friends with Hutchence and directed the music video for "Never Tear Us Apart", said of the song after reading Hutchence's diaries as part of his research for his 2019 documentary '' Mystify: Michael Hutchence'':

He felt guilt over every break-up because it brought back memories of his parents' divorce and their break-up. When he got successful he'd feel the guilt of leaving his brother and it just seemed to be everywhere. Going back into his diaries, we'd find evidence of the guilt – it wasn't just all happy-go-lucky rockstar. There was always problems being presented. His break-up with Michele (Bennett, his childhood flame), he was utterly torn between this woman he loved and how their lives were going in so many different directions. That’s why it inspired ‘Never Tear Us Apart’. '' Kick'' had gone to Number One and suddenly there's this kid-in-a-candy store mentality – he was travelling around the world and thought he'd never settle down. There was the hedonistic side to him, but always an almost catholic sense of self-flagellation too.

"Never Tear Us Apart" is a ballad, written in the tempo of a modern Viennese waltz, layered with synthesizers and containing dramatic pauses before the instrumental breaks. Kirk Pengilly lends a saxophone solo near the end. According to the liner notes of '' Shine Like It Does: The Anthology (1979–1997)'', the song was composed on piano as a bluesy number in the style of Fats Domino. Producer Chris Thomas suggested a synth-based arrangement instead.

Critical reception

A reviewer from ''Cash Box'' said that "more impassioned crooning from Hutchence elevates this song" and also praised the "searing sax solo." The Stud Brothers of ''Melody Maker'' wrote, "This pleads for passion by jump-starting a cello-like synth that kangaroos unhappily along until it collides with a great fairy of a saxophone which ultimately drags it to a sad demise."

Music video

The music video for the song, featuring an extended intro, was filmed in various locations in Prague along with "Guns in the Sky" and " New Sensation", all directed by Richard Lowenstein. It won the ARIA Award for Best Video at the 1989 ARIA Music Awards.

As of , the video has a total view count of more than 150 million on YouTube from two versions, making it their most popular song on the platform.

In March 2024, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of "Never Tear Us Apart", INXS shared a video on their official YouTube channel featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the music video, deleted scenes and interviews with Michael Hutchence and Andrew Farriss.

Impact and legacy

After Hutchence's death in 1997, his coffin was carried out of St Andrew's Cathedral by the remaining members of INXS and his younger brother Rhett as "Never Tear Us Apart" was played in the background.

In October 2008, Australian soccer club Newcastle Jets adopted the song as a club anthem. In late 2023, the club introduced a special cover of the song by singer Lyn Bowtell for the women's team.

In March 2014, Australian Football League club Port Adelaide also adopted the song as an unofficial anthem leading up to the opening siren at its home ground Adelaide Oval. Fans faithfully began raising scarves above their heads as it was sung. By June 2014, the club printed official scarves featuring the words "Never Tear Us Apart" that fans have since held aloft during the song. INXS members Tim Farriss and Jon Farriss attended a match in April 2015, partaking in a rendition of the song.

In January 2018, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest 100", listing the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Never Tear Us Apart" was ranked number 18.

In 2021, it was listed at No. 282 on ''Rolling Stone''s " Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

The song appears in ''Euphoria'', in season 2, episode 3. During the cold open flashback, Cal dances and embraces his friend Derek to the song. It was also prominently used in the 2024 drama film '' Babygirl''.

Chart performance

The single reached No. 24 in the UK, and stayed on the charts for seven weeks. In the US, it reached No. 7 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.

In February 2014, after the Channel 7 screening of '' INXS: Never Tear Us Apart'' mini-series, "Never Tear Us Apart" charted again in Australia via download sales. It peaked at No. 11 on the ARIA Singles Chart, surpassing its original peak position of No. 14 back in 1988.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

Accolades

Tom Jones feat. Natalie Imbruglia version

The song was covered by Tom Jones for his 1999 album '' Reload'' featuring the Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia. The cover version also includes a music video.

Track listing

CD single
# "Never Tear Us Apart" – 3:08
# " Sunny Afternoon" – 3:26
# "Looking Out My Window" – 3:19
# " Sometimes We Cry" – 5:00

Remix version: "Precious Heart"

In August 2001, a remix called "Precious Heart" was released as a single, and credited as Tall Paul vs. INXS.

Track listing

Australian CD single
# "Precious Heart" (Radio Edit) – 3:36
# "Precious Heart" (Original Mix) – 7:40
# "Precious Heart" (Riva Mix) – 7:40
# "Precious Heart" (Marc O'Toole Remix) – 8:41
# "Precious Heart" (Lush Mix) – 8:42

UK CD single
# "Precious Heart" (Radio Edit) – 3:36
# "Precious Heart" (Original Mix) – 7:40
# "Precious Heart" (Lush Mix) – 8:42

Charts

"Never Tear Us Apart" (2010 re-recording with Ben Harper and Mylène Farmer)

INXS re-recorded "Never Tear Us Apart" with Ben Harper and French singer Mylène Farmer, who wrote new French lyrics, for their twelfth studio album, ''Original Sin''. The song was released on iTunes on 12 August 2010, and also as a promotional single to radio stations prior to the release of the album.

Paloma Faith version

"Never Tear Us Apart" was recorded by British singer Paloma Faith for a television advertisement campaign for John Lewis. The advert began airing in the UK from 15 September 2012. Faith later confirmed that the song would be released as her next single on 23 September 2012. She commented "I have always loved this song and I feel honoured to sing it." "Never Tear Us Apart" was released as the first single from the reissued version of Faith's second studio album '' Fall to Grace'' and serves as the third single overall. The artwork for the song shows the singer saluting, while wearing a metallic gold dress, with "a honeycomb-like bottom half".

Faith's version of the song can be heard on the opening scene of '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' fifteenth-season episode "Beast's Obsession." It is also heard in the Netflix series ''Umbrella Academy''. Faith's version also appeared in the first episode of the Showtime series ''Yellowjackets''.

Reception

Digital Spy's Lewis Corner gave Faith's version of the song four out of five stars. He stated "It's a brave task to reinterpret a much-loved hit, but Faith's soulful tones immediately thwart any doubts that she can't do the song justice." He added that while it was always going to be tough topping the original, Faith comes "admirably close."

Track listing

; Digital download
# "Never Tear Us Apart" – 3:05
# "Never Tear Us Apart" (Orchestral Version) – 3:05

Charts

Certifications

Release history

The Teskey Brothers version

In April 2021, The Teskey Brothers released a cover of "Never Tear Us Apart" in dedication to Michael Gudinski. Upon released, Josh said "This is an all-time classic Australian song that all of us love, its a pleasure to sing it and I don't know why we didn't do it earlier. We're very proud to dedicate this release to our friend Michael Gudinski who was a huge supporter of Australian music and The Teskey Brothers. Our two worlds collided and we will always be grateful for that."

References

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1980s ballads
1988 songs
1988 singles
1999 singles
2001 singles
2010 singles
2012 singles
Australian pop rock songs
Atlantic Records singles
ARIA Award-winning songs
INXS songs
Joe Cocker songs
Mercury Records singles
Newcastle Jets FC
Paloma Faith songs
Phonogram Records singles
Pop ballads
Port Adelaide Football Club
RCA Records singles
Rock ballads
Breakup songs
Songs about heartache
Songs about nostalgia
Song recordings produced by Chris Thomas (record producer)
Songs written by Andrew Farriss
Songs written by Michael Hutchence
Warner Music Group singles
V2 Records singles