INXS – Need You Tonight: Lyrics and Music Video

INXS - Need You Tonight: Song Overview

INXS' *Need You Tonight* (1987) is a sleek, funk-rock anthem from their landmark album Kick. Merging gritty guitar riffs with electronic beats, the track became the band’s first No. 1 hit in the US, epitomizing their fusion of rock, pop, and dance that defined late-1980s alternative music.

Release and Chart Performance

• Released in October 1987 as the album’s second single.
• Topped the Billboard Hot 100 (US) and reached No. 2 in the UK.
• Helped Kick sell over 6 million copies in the US (6x Platinum) and 20+ million globally.

Musical Style and Themes

The song combines:

• Funk-inspired basslines, synth hooks, and Michael Hutchence’s sultry, charismatic vocals.
• Lyrics about desire and urgency, immortalized by the iconic opening lines:

  “All you got is this moment / Twenty-first century’s yesterday.”

Legacy and Cultural Impact

• Won the 1988 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo/Group.
• The music video, paired with *Mediate*, won multiple MTV VMAs and pioneered a cinematic, narrative-driven style.
• Amassed 500+ million streams globally, featured in films like The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) and shows like Stranger Things.

Songwriting Credits

Written by Andrew Farriss (music) and Michael Hutchence (lyrics), and produced by Chris Thomas. The track’s minimalist groove was inspired by Hutchence’s improvised vocal delivery.

Summary

*Need You Tonight* remains INXS’s signature hit—a bold blend of rock swagger and danceable funk that catapulted them to global stardom. Its Grammy win, chart dominance, and enduring coolness cement it as a quintessential 1980s anthem, showcasing the band’s innovative edge and Hutchence’s magnetic stage presence.

Keywords

• INXS Need You Tonight lyrics
• 80s rock funk fusion
• Kick album INXS
• Michael Hutchence vocals
• Best INXS songs