For My Sunday Song #243, we are going to discuss the song “God’s Top Ten” by the band INXS. The song is off their 2005 album ‘Switch’ which features their new singer J. D. Fortune who the band hired off the TV contest show they did called “Rockstar: INXS” where they set out to hire a new lead singer. The song was released as a single, but didn’t chart in the US. It did go to #88 in Canada and 18 in Poland…cool.
The song was written by keyboardist, Andrew Farriss, who wrote the song to honor Michael Hutchence who died about 8 years earlier. It is a tribute to Michael, his partner Paula Yates (who died 3 years after Michael) and their daughter Tiger Lily. They have said the song is really a gift to Tiger Lily. The verses seem to speak to her saying that when you hear his songs on the radio, know that he is one of God’s Top 10 meaning he is one of the best singers out there and now God has him in his Top 10 list. I think the lyrics are sweet, touching and so personal. It is a beautiful gift to her as a reminder of how great he was and how much he loved her.
Musically, the song is a ballad played effortlessly and tenderly on keyboard with a nice bass groove and drum beat. The guitars are only an enhancement to the song. Nothing overpowers anything else, everyone plays in sweet harmony and bliss. The drumbeat at the beginning is the sound of a heartbeat. The song is a duet between Suzie McNeil, also from ‘Rockstar: INXS’ and J. D. Fortune. Her vocals are angelic and J. D.’s is as tender as the music. So much heart, so much love and so much passion comes through in their delivery. It might be the best song on the album and one of the best they’ve ever done.
If you haven’t heard the song before, give it a listen. If you have give it another listen and let me know what you think. It is such an incredibly beautiful song and shows that even without Michael, the band was full of talented musicians and songwriters. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful and Happy Sunday.
“God’s Top Ten”
(feat. Suzie McNeil)
Romance is gone, he’s drifting with the stars
The lyric in his pocket, little girl in his heart
When you hear his songs on the radio I don’t need to tell you what you already know
He’s in God’s top ten where heaven never ends
You saw the world and the world saw you on the stage
Wild, wild, wild colonial boy
Roquefort le pont
Your gypsy heart is free, pictures on the wall of your family
He’s on God’s top ten where heaven never ends
He’s on God’s top ten
Baby’s got mama’s eyes, she was always beautiful
When you hear his voice, feel his arms around you
You remember momma smiling a daddy’s little girl
Bad weather, cold media storm
He’s on God’s top ten where heaven never ends
He’s on God’s top ten
Written by Andrew Farriss
I haven’t heard a lot without Hutchence…only a few here and there…considering what it’s about it’s not a bad song. It’s a good pop/rock song.
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I think it is the best thing they did post Hutchence. It showed they still had the song writing chops!!
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Really like Suzie’s part.
Did u watch Rockstar: INXS show back when?
This was on Suzie’s facebook. They did a reunion meet up.
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No, I never watched it, yet still bough the album though.
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It’s nice to see these guys getting some Deep cut fan love. Keep it up!
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I don’t know how deep the rest are, but I had to have one non-Hutchence song.
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I’m not familiar with the post-Hutchence stuff… can’t say that I’ve given it more than a cursory listen at the time it was released. This tune isn’t bad, but it highlights just how special they were with Hutchence, eh?
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A cursory listen is probably fine. I really liked this one song off the album so had to give it some love.
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That’s a nice message – and neat so see listeners in Canada & Poland approved!
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That is all that matters…is Poland approved!! Canada…ehh…they always approve everything as they are so nice!! 🙂
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This was a decent album. I bought it as I watched the show. Your right John they could still deliver the goods even after what they went through.
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Great song, great tribute.
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great song.
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Though it doesn’t sound at all like INXS (at least to my ears), it’s nevertheless a beautiful and well-crafted tribute.
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I think there is still a little of the INXS sound, but only a hint.
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I ignored this version of Inxs and that whole Rockstar phase.
Anyway I played the song based on your post.
It’s a nice song. An easy listen.
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I think a lot of people ignored this album. Some decent stuff, but not the best thing ever either.
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My first experience was the song “Stockholm Syndrome” from the Absolution album. I reckon start there.
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Sorry the above Muse comment was for another post you commented on. There was a lot of commentary in Australia as to why they thought the band should become Reality stars but it was a good business move to keep the brand alive.
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Ha!! Thanks for clarifying that because I as totally confused. I almost responded with a WTF? But luckily saw this comment. LOL!!
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It was 5.30am when I posted. My eyes were still blurry
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I never bought this. Interesting. To me, when you love your kid you stick around no matter what. But I don’t know enough of what he went through, so that sounds judgemental. It’s a selfish thought, ‘cos I sure wouldn’t leave my two.
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I am not even sure if it was intentional or accidental, but still sad. I don’t think I could ever do it either, but you have to be in a really bad space to follow through for sure.
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I figure an adult life of never really having to grow up because being a rock star and having people kiss your ass all the time is arrested development. Add drugs. Not himself, by then. My brain can’t even go there.
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I have followed this band from the beginning, there could never be a replacement for Michael, I am a die hard fan of this band, but once they broke up I cant listen to their music anymore, J.D. did a wonderful job on this album, this was a beautiful song, it is very sad to listen to these days. J.D. was dumped by this band after several world tours, not nice at all! Will always have great memories of this band.
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They were a great band. Without Michael it was never the same, but I do wish they would’ve explored more with J.D. because he was pretty good. I enjoyed his stuff.
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