What You Need

INXS

About What You Need

"What You Need" is a song recorded by the Australian band INXS. It is the leadoff track from their 1985 album, Listen Like Thieves. "What You Need" was the first single off the album in Australia and New Zealand, while it was in USA and Europe the second single after "This Time" and was the band's first American Top Ten hit, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. After the album Listen Like Thieves was recorded and ready to be given to the record label for inspection, producer Chris Thomas was worried that the album didn't have a "hit". As Andrew Farriss recalled in a 2005 interview; "'What You Need' is another example of a huge hit that essentially took no time at all. We'd already finished the Listen Like Thieves album but Chris Thomas (the producer) told us there was still no "hit". We left the studio that night knowing we had one day left and we had to deliver "a hit". Talk about pressure. The band's performance on that track is amazing. We absolutely nailed it."The song was covered by "Weird Al" Yankovic in his 1986 polka "Polka Party!". A remixed version of "What You Need" was featured in the soundtrack of sports video game FIFA Football 2005. 


Year:
1985
3:33
91 
#2

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Hey, here is the story
Forget about the troubles in life
Don't you know, it's not easy
When you gotta walk upon that line

That's why
You need
That's why
This is what you need, I'll give you what you need

Don't you get sad and lonely
You need a change from what you do all day
Ain't no sense in all your crying
Pick it up and throw it into shape

That's why you need, oh that's why
This is what you need, I'll give you what you need
This is what you need, I'll give you what you need
This is what you need, I'll give you what you need
I'll give you what you need

Hey you, won't you listen?
This is not the end of it all
Don't you see is a rhythm
I'll take you where you really need to be
I'll take you, I'll take you where you want to be
That's right, I'll take you

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


INXS

INXS (pronounced "in excess", In-XS) were an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays were Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar and keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar and saxophone. For 20 years, INXS were fronted by Michael Hutchence on lead vocals, whose "sultry good looks" and magnetic stage presence made him the focal point of the band. Initially known for their New Wave/ska/pop style, they later developed a harder pub rock style, including funk and dance elements. more »

4 fans

Written by: MICHAEL HUTCHENCE, ANDREW FARRISS

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Date
"What You Need" was released in 1985, as part of INXS's sixth studio album, "Listen Like Thieves."
Music Genre
The song is classified under the genres of new wave, rock, and post-disco.
Chart Rankings
"What You Need" is one of INXS's most successful songs, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986, making it their first American Top 5 hit.
Music Video
The music video for the song won the band five awards at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards including 'Best Video of the Year.'
Songwriting Process
The song was written by the band's principal songwriting team, Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence. Andrew came up with the catchy riff, and Hutchence wrote the lyrics reportedly in a very short time period.
Inspiration Behind The Lyrics
The lyrics suggest a person's ability to rise above difficulties and live life to the fullest, which could be interpreted as autobiographical given the band's grueling tour schedule and the music industry's pressures at the time.
Initial Reactions
Initially, the song was not received well by the band's US record company, Atlantic Records, who thought it did not have enough hit potential. However, after gaining popularity in Australia and the UK, it was given a release in the US where it became a hit.
Live Performances
"What You Need" quickly became a staple of INXS's live performances, often used as an encore song to bring their concerts to a high-energy conclusion.
Cover Versions
In 2017, the song was covered by Australian musicians Tash Sultana and Harts for Triple J's Like a Version segment.
Legacy
Even after more than three decades, "What You Need" is still regarded as one of the signature songs of INXS, reminding fans of the band's glorious era in the late '80s and early '90s.

Discuss the What You Need Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "What You Need Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2760542/INXS/What+You+Need>.

    Missing lyrics by INXS?

    Know any other songs by INXS? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    What You Need

    5.4M
    27,743     900

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1986

    Billboard #5


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Who sang "Venom"?
    A Eminem
    B Falz
    C Roddy Ricch
    D Nicki Minaj

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss INXS's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    INXS tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    What You Need

    »