It was released as a single in the US in December 1983, where it reached No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984. In Australia, it reached No. 1 in 1984, and became an international hit during that year.
Daryl Hall sings the chorus with Hutchence. During an interview in Australia, Hall said Nile Rodgers called him and asked him to sing on the song. Rodgers had participated in remixing the single "Adult Education" for Hall & Oates the previous year.
The music video was filmed in Japan and features INXS singing on motorbikes as a fairground is set up and taken down around them.
In 2010, INXS rerecorded "Original Sin" with American vocalist Rob Thomas and Cuban female rapper DJ Yalediys as a dance single. It is featured in the 2010 INXS tribute album Original Sin.
In February 2014, after the Seven Network airing of INXS: Never Tear Us Apart mini-series, "Original Sin" charted again in Australia via download sales. It peaked at no. 61 on the ARIA Singles Chart.
In January 2018, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Original Sin" was ranked number 58.
Original Sin
INXS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you might know how to play with fire
But did you know of the murder committed
In the name of love? Yeah, you thought, what a pity
Dream on white boy (white boy)
Dream on black girl (black girl)
And wake up to a brand new day
There was a time when I did not care
And there was a time when the facts did stare
There is a dream and held by many
Well, I'm sure you had to see it's open arms
Dream on white boy (white boy)
Dream on black girl (black girl)
Then wake up to a brand new day
To find your dreams have washed away
You might know of the original sin
You might know how to play with fire
But did you know of the murder committed
In the name of love? Yeah, you thought, what a pity
Dream on white boy (white boy)
Dream on black girl (black girl)
And wake up to a brand new day
Dream on black boy (black boy)
Dream on white girl (white girl)
And wake up to a brand new day
To find your dreams have washed away
Dream on black boy (black boy)
Dream on white girl (white girl)
And wake up to a brand new day
To find your dreams have washed away
Dream on, play with fire
White boy, black girl
Dream on, in the name of love
Black boy, white girl
Dream on, white boy, black girl
Black boy, white girl
Dream on
In the name of love, yeah
You thought what a pity
Yeah
Original sin
The lyrics of INXS's song Original Sin seem to be a commentary on the state of the world, specifically focussing on the human tendency to commit sins and how this is justified in the name of love. The song is a warning, telling its listeners to dream but to also be aware of the potential destruction their actions could cause. The opening lines of the song ask the listener whether they are aware of the original sin and how to play with fire. The mention of sin and fire suggests an awareness of the potential for destructive behaviour, with the following lines going on to suggest that love has been used to justify murder. The lines "you thought what a pity" suggest the folly of this kind of behaviour and highlight the dangers of romanticising sin.
The chorus of the song consists of a call to dreamers, urging them to aspire and reach for their dreams. However, the mood of the verses suggests a darker reality, where dreams may be washed away in the tide of human behaviour. The lines "There was a time when I did not care, And there was a time when the facts did stare" suggest a personal failing, a regret for a time where the singer was ignorant of the harm they may have caused.
Overall, the song seems to be about the human tendency to cause harm in the name of love and highlights the importance of being aware of our actions' potential consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
You might know of the original sin
You may be aware of the concept of the original sin
And you might know how to play with fire
You may know how to do risky and dangerous things
But did you know of the murder committed
Are you aware of the killing that happened
In the name of love? Yeah, you thought, what a pity
It happened because of a misguided sense of love, and it is unfortunate that you may see it as such
Dream on white boy (white boy)
Continue to pursue your aspirations, young man
Dream on black girl (black girl)
Continue to pursue your aspirations, young woman
And wake up to a brand new day
And start anew with each sunrise
To find your dreams are washed away
Only to find out that your goals may have been destroyed or unfulfilled
There was a time when I did not care
There was a moment when I was indifferent
And there was a time when the facts did stare
And there was a point where I was forced to face the truth
There is a dream and held by many
Many people hold onto a dream
Well, I'm sure you had to see it's open arms
I'm certain you have noticed the dream's welcoming nature
Dream on black boy (black boy)
Continue to pursue your aspirations, young man
Dream on white girl (white girl)
Continue to pursue your aspirations, young woman
To find your dreams have washed away
Only to find out that your goals may have been destroyed or unfulfilled
Dream on, play with fire
Continue to pursue risky actions and behavior
White boy, black girl
Addressing both genders and races together
Dream on, in the name of love
Continue to pursue your goals with love as your guide
Black boy, white girl
Addressing both genders and races together
Dream on white boy, black girl
Encouraging the white and black races to continue dreaming
Black boy, white girl
Encouraging the white and black races to continue dreaming
Dream on
Continue to pursue your aspirations
In the name of love, yeah
With love as your guide
You thought what a pity
A sense of sadness for the tragedy that has occurred
Original sin
Referring to the basic human tendency towards sin
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Andrew Charles Farriss, Michael Hutchence
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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