INXS

Songwriter: Michael Hutchence Andrew Farriss

Producer: Richard Clapton

No division in the ranks
The lines are long and proud
No question on their lips
But there will always be doubt

Like a chinese painting
All red with it's message
A flag high in the sky
Twists and turns it's language

Underneath the colours red-blue-white
Catch a glimpse of others
From the corner of your eye

With the rise and fall of
The conductor's blind-hand
I play Russian roulette
I'm an angry young man

INXS was originally formed in 1977 in Sydney, Australia as the Farriss Brothers. The lineup included the three Farris brothers: Andrew

(songwriter/keyboards); Tim (guitar); and Jon (drums), along with Michael Hutchence (lead vocals/songwriter); Kirk Pengilly (guitar/saxophone) and Garry Gary Beers (bass). They began gaining popularity playing in pubs before moving on to support other local Australian bands, including Midnight Oil.

In 1979, they changed their name to INXS and released their first single “Simple Simon” in 1980. They went on to release their debut self-titled album INXS in 1980, closely followed by their second album, Underneath the Colours, in 1981. Neither album gained much attention outside of Australia, however, in July of 1982 INXS released their single “The One Thing” ahead of their next studio album. The song began to climb the U.S. and international charts, thanks in part to music video’s heavy rotation on MTV.

more tracks from the album

INXSIVE

From the albums

Underneath the Colours (1981)
INXSIVE (1982)

INXS popular songs

Underneath the ColoursINXS

INXS

INXSIVE