"Never Tear Us Apart" was a single released by Australian rock group INXS in August 1988. It was also included on the band's sixth studio album, Kick. The music is by Andrew Farriss, and the lyrics are by Michael Hutchence.
"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 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 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 7 weeks. In the US, 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 featured in the original release, had the rights for it not been deemed too expensive by the producers. ("The Killing Moon" by Echo and 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, this 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.
