1001 Songs Challenge #687: Need You Tonight (1987)

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenge of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post every day (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be… legendary!

INXS – Need You Tonight (1987)

We’re leaving the UK today and making the long journey Down Under to Australia. Formed in 1977 as The Farriss Brothers, the group later became known as INXS and were at their peak when led by singer, Michael Hutchence. Their career lasted 35 years and produced memorable hits like Suicide Blonde and Beautiful Girl. We join the group in 1987 with the release of their sixth album – Kick. From that record, 1001 Songs have gone with the song, Need You Tonight. 

Centred by a stunning and mesmerising guitar riff, Need You Tonight began life with the music and Hutchence added in the lyrics. The song is one of lust and passion as the narrator laments their loneliness but a certain woman is in close proximity and he has noticed her. This guy is not able to think straight, he beseeches this woman to move closer because he needs her. It doesn’t require a huge stretch of the imagination to figure out what he has in mind here. Naughty boy! 

The guitar riff created by Andrew Fariss is the most memorable part of this stunning rock track from INXS. Hutchence’s understated but sultry vocals blend well with the melody and you get the overwhelming sense of passion coming through. It took the group to no.1 in the US which was no mean feat and they continued until 2012 when the group decided to disband. Michael Hutchence himself led INXS until 1997 when he tragically died at the age of 37 in what was ruled as suicide. Very sad.

Favourite songs so far:

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Doors – The End (1967)

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)

Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)

Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now (1978)

Ultravox – Vienna (1980)

Don Henley – The Boys of Summer (1984)

The Smiths – How Soon Is Now? (1984)