In a celebration of Australian music, INXS’ iconic track “Never Tear Us Apart” has been declared the nation’s favourite song. The announcement was made during a special countdown broadcast by that youth station celebrating its golden jubilee. The event encore featured an impressive array of Australian musical talent and kept fans glued to their screens from coast to coast.
The countdown started at 10 am AEST on Saturday morning and ended 8 pm. It showcased an eclectic mix of Australian musicians, reaching a record rollout of more than 2.65 million votes. It was amazing — the competition was sooo intense! Eight tracks were divided by less than 10 votes, and just 30 votes separated the songs in 100th place from 101st.
Other notable entries included Gotye’s 2011 hit “Somebody That I Used To Know,” which secured the number 10 spot, and John Farnham’s beloved anthem “You’re the Voice,” which landed at number 15. The top five was rounded out by The Hilltop Hoods’ “The Nosebleed Section” at number two, Missy Higgins’ breakout single “Scar” at number four, and Crowded House’s classic “Don’t Dream It’s Over” at number five.
Jon Farriss, drummer for INXS, hopped on the local radio station in Sydney to celebrate their win.
“We feel so blessed and we’re very grateful.” – Jon Farriss
Jess Origliasso of The Veronicas, whose song “Untouched” rounded out the top five, couldn’t hide her glee at the nomination.
“We’re on top of the world right now … this is such a huge honour for us.” – Jess Origliasso
Australian singer/songwriter Missy Higgins expressed her thrill at the first-ever charting of her song on the similar ranking, saying,
“I can’t quite believe it — I feel like the luckiest person ever.” – Missy Higgins
More than just celebrating the past greats on the youth station’s countdown, the ongoing legacy of Australian artists was celebrated. The combination of nostalgia and contemporary appreciation made this special edition a memorable event for fans and musicians alike.
