Only songs by Australian artists are invited to a radio station's "Hottest 100" list this year. The poll by Australia-based radio station Triple-J received nearly three-million votes and "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS topped the list. The song reached number seven in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the fourth single from INXS' 1987 "Kick" album. "Need You Tonight," which hit number one in the U.S., came in at number 59 in the poll. Three AC/DC songs are in the Hottest 100: "Thunderstruck" at number 13, "Highway To Hell" at 31, and "Back In Black" at 37. The station has conducted its annual poll since 1993, but this is the first year it was limited to Australian acts after a poor showing by acts from "down under" in last year's poll.
Tragically, INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence passed away in 1997.