| "Listen Like Thieves" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Australian 7-inch vinyl single | ||||
| Single by INXS | ||||
| from the album Listen Like Thieves | ||||
| B-side | "Different World" | |||
| Released | June 1986 | |||
| Recorded | 1985 | |||
| Genre | College rock | |||
| Length | 3:47 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Chris Thomas | |||
| INXS singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Listen Like Thieves" is the title song and fourth and final single from Australian rock band INXS's fifth album, Listen Like Thieves (1985).
Background
[edit]The song was written by Michael Hutchence, Kirk Pengilly, Garry Gary Beers, Andrew Farriss, Tim Farriss and Jon Farriss. The B-side to the single was "Different World", which appeared on the "Crocodile" Dundee soundtrack. It was released as a single during 1986, where it peaked at number 46. The track first appeared on the album which was released in October 1985.
Music video
[edit]The music video was shot at the Westgarth Theatre in Melbourne, depicting the band performing in a post-apocalyptic setting.[1]
Reception
[edit]Cash Box praised the song as "a grooving, biting rock gem,"[2] as did Billboard who called it "crisp arena rock."[3] Stephen Thomas Erlewine referred to the song, and "Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain)" as "college rock staples."[4]
Charts
[edit]| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] | 28 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[6] | 46 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[7] | 54 |
| US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard) | 12 |
| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
| UK Singles (OCC)[8] | 58 |
Cover versions
[edit]- Was (Not Was) covered the song and released it as a single in 1992 to promote their album Hello Dad... I'm in Jail. It reached number 58 on the UK Singles Chart.
References
[edit]- ^ "The Westgarth celebrates 80 years". Cinemarecord (32). 2001. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. 3 May 1986. p. 13. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ "Reviews". Billboard. 3 May 1986. p. 65. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. INXS - Shine Like It Does: The Anthology (1979-1997) (2001) Review at AllMusic. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart on 21/6/1986 – Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "INXS Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart on 23/5/1992 – Top 100". Official Charts Company.
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