In an unprecedented celebration of homegrown talent, INXS’s iconic 1988 power ballad “Never Tear Us Apart” has been crowned Australia’s #1 song in triple j’s historic Hottest 100 of Australian Songs. The result caps off a massive cultural moment for Australian music, drawing over 2.65 million votes—the fourth-largest voter turnout in the Hottest 100’s 36-year history.
🔥 The Top 10: Nostalgia Meets Modern Classics
The countdown blended generations and genres, spotlighting tracks that defined Aussie life:
- INXS – Never Tear Us Apart (1988)
- Hilltop Hoods – The Nosebleed Section (2003)
- The Veronicas – Untouched (2007)
- Missy Higgins – Scar (2004)
- Crowded House – Don’t Dream It’s Over (1986)
- Powderfinger – My Happiness (2000)
- Cold Chisel – Flame Trees (1984)
- Cold Chisel – Khe Sanh (1978)
- Paul Kelly – How to Make Gravy (1996)
- Gotye ft. Kimbra – Somebody That I Used to Know (2011)
Notably, Cold Chisel scored back-to-back entries (#7 and #8), the only act to achieve this feat. Crowded House’s inclusion sparked friendly Aus-NZ rivalry, given frontman Neil Finn’s Kiwi roots.
📊 Genre & Decade Breakdown
| Era | Top 100 Entries | Key Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 35+ songs | The Veronicas, Hilltop Hoods, Powderfinger |
| 1980s | 20 songs | INXS, Midnight Oil, Crowded House |
| 2010s-2020s | 25 songs | Tame Impala, Flume, Spacey Jane |
| 1970s | 8 songs | AC/DC, Daddy Cool |
📈 By the Numbers: Voters, Records & Rarities
- Gen Z Dominance: Voters aged 18–29 comprised the largest bloc, defying expectations of a “boomer-dominated” list.
- Tight Margins: Just 30 votes separated #100 (The Screaming Jets’ “Better”) and #101.
- Oldest vs. Newest: Daddy Cool’s 1971 hit “Eagle Rock” (#45) contrasted with Amyl & The Sniffers’ 2021 punk rager “Hertz” (#89).
- Longest/Shortest: Stevie Wright’s 11-minute epic “Evie” (#96) vs. Spiderbait’s 1:49 punk burst “Calypso” (#95).
🎤 Cultural Impact: More Than Just a Playlist
“Never Tear Us Apart”—written by Michael Hutchence for his then-girlfriend—transcended music to become a national symbol. It’s echoed at AFL games (Port Adelaide fans raise scarves to it), funerals, and global screens (Euphoria, Babygirl) 8. Triple J Music Director Nick Findlay called it “a defining piece of music history that hits as hard in 2025 as it did 40 years ago.”
🤔 Controversy & Conversation
While celebrating Aussie music, the countdown ignited debates:
- Ben Lee’s Critique: The artist (#83 for “Cigarettes Will Kill You”) argued the annual Hottest 100 should be Australia-only: “This special is a band-aid… Triple J must foster local talent year-round.”
- Representation Gaps: Despite Indigenous anthems like Yothu Yindi’s “Treaty” (#36) and Thelma Plum’s “Better in Blak” (#53), PM Anthony Albanese’s vote list highlighted enduring white-male dominance in “Aussie music” identity.
🎉 Why This Countdown Matters
Launched after January’s Hottest 100 featured a record-low 29 Australian songs (down from 50%+ historically), this poll reaffirmed love for homegrown artistry. As triple j head Lachlan Macara noted: “Algorithms challenge local artists—we must fight for their reach.”
✅ The Verdict: From pub rock (Cold Chisel) to hip-hop (Hilltop Hoods) and queer-pop anthems (The Veronicas), the list mirrors Australia’s evolving sound—a “musical democracy” at its finest.
Relive the full countdown: Triple J Hottest 100 of Australian Songs