"Never Tear Us Apart" is a sensuous ballad, layered with synthesizers and containing dramatic pauses before the instrumental breaks. Kirk Pengilly lends a cathartic saxophone solo near the end. According to the liner notes of Shine Like It Does: The Anthology (1979–1997), the song was originally composed on piano as a bluesy number in the style of Fats Domino. Producer Chris Thomas suggested a synth-based arrangement instead.
The 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.
The single reached #24 in the UK, and stayed on the charts for seven weeks. In the U.S., it reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Michael Hutchence's coffin was carried out of St. Andrews Cathedral by the remaining members of INXS and younger brother Rhett, as "Never Tear Us Apart" was played in the background. This song is now thought of by many original INXS fans as Hutchence's anthem.
The song was used in the opening sequence of the director's cut of the 2001 cult film, Donnie Darko. It would have been featured in the original release had the rights for it not been deemed too expensive by the producers. ("The Killing Moon" by Echo & the Bunnymen served as its replacement.)
In 2006, the song was voted "Nation's Favourite Lyric" by viewers of pay TV music channel VH1 in Australia.
Recently, the song has been adopted by The Squadron, the Newcastle United Jets supporter group, and sung in unison at the 40th and 85th minute of their A-League association football matches. This is in homage to the line, "cause we all have wings, but some of us don't know why", used now in reference to the Jets symbol of their club. The song's popularity has prompted a move to have the song be played at the beginning of each half, first happening on the 18th October 2008, when the Jets defeated the Melbourne Victory 1-0.
Since 2014 the song has been used by the Australian Football League (AFL) club Port Adelaide (Power) prior to the start of play at their home games. The use of the song reflects on the struggles the club faced when they first entered the AFL.
Never Tear Us Apart
INXS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you know is true
Don't have to tell you
I love your precious heart
I
I was standing
You were there
And they could never tear us apart
We could live
For a thousand years
But if I hurt you
I'd make wine from your tears
I told you
That we could fly
'Cause we all have wings
But some of us don't know why
I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
And they could never ever tear us apart
I (don't ask me)
I was standing (you know it's true)
Mm, you were there (worlds collided)
Two worlds collided (we're shining through)
And they could never tear us apart
You (don't ask me)
You were standing (you know it's true)
I was there (worlds collided)
Two worlds collided (we're shining through)
And they could never tear us apart
I
I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
The opening lines of the song "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS is full of the promise of love, affection and commitment. The lyrics, "Don't ask me what you know is true; Don't have to tell you, I love your precious heart," suggest that the singer is in a close relationship with the person to whom the song is dedicated. The singer is certain that the person knows how much they mean to them and assures them that their love is unconditional. The song moves on to the chorus where the two worlds of the singer and the person have collided and they have come together to form a bond that can never be torn apart by any force. The lines, "I was standing; You were there; Two worlds collided; And they could never tear us apart," underscore the idea of two individuals with their own distinct worlds coming together and becoming one.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't ask me
I don't want to explain something that you already know is true.
What you know is true
You already know how I feel, don't ask me to tell you again.
Don't have to tell you
I don't need to tell you that I love you, you already know.
I love your precious heart
I cherish your heart and love you deeply.
I was standing
I was alone without you.
You were there
You came into my life and everything changed.
Two worlds collided
Our lives and paths were different, but they crossed and merged.
And they could never tear us apart
No matter what obstacles or challenges we face, our love will always remain strong.
We could live
We have the potential to be together for a long time.
For a thousand years
Our love is strong enough to last a lifetime.
But if I hurt you
If I ever caused you pain or harm.
I'd make wine from your tears
I would do anything to make things right and ease your pain.
I told you
I promised you.
That we could fly
That we can overcome anything together and achieve our dreams.
'Cause we all have wings
We all have potential and the ability to soar.
But some of us don't know why
Some of us need someone to guide or inspire us to reach our full potential.
Mm, you were there (worlds collided)
You came into my life and brought a new perspective and way of living.
we're shining through
As a couple, we light up the world with our love and strength.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andrew Charles Farriss, Michael Kelland Hutchence
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@drx1xym154
@@nacofichetti314 - I agree!
also, They will NEVER tear us/INXS apart!
Michael flew away.
We will all learn, some day, even if none of us knows why!
big log - dialogue - the log of the journey - be it on land, roads, sea, air or beyond.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxSsol3Zd7k
My love is in league with the freeway... My love is the miles and the waiting.
-- the principle of moments, is what we have.
@nicobocco3399
The Lyric
Don't ask me
What you know is true
Don't have to tell you
I love your precious heart
I, I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
And they could never tear us apart
We could live
For a thousand years
But if I hurt you
I'd make wine from your tears
I told you
That we could fly
'Cause we all have wings
But some of us don't know why
I, I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
And they could never ever tear us apart
@claudiasousa9035
Who 2024???
@JS_-hq1wm
Agreed...this is one of those legendary true music masterpieces of this time in history. Anyone who has good taste in music will love this timeless tune forever.👍
@sandromauro3083
@JS_-hq1wm MASTERPIECE 😍🎧
@renatamuller5084
Yes❤
@WalkbetwixtWorlds
Strange things are afoot at the circle K..
@jakelinefreitas1275
Me 🙋♀️
@claudiadiaz3695
The beautiful and melancholic Prague, perfect setting for a beautiful song.
@nacofichetti314
it fits perfect!!!
@drx1xym154
@@nacofichetti314 - I agree!
also, They will NEVER tear us/INXS apart!
Michael flew away.
We will all learn, some day, even if none of us knows why!
big log - dialogue - the log of the journey - be it on land, roads, sea, air or beyond.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxSsol3Zd7k
My love is in league with the freeway... My love is the miles and the waiting.
-- the principle of moments, is what we have.
@joelwelch5762
That looks like the sight of the Boston Massacre.