Aussie power ballad Never Tear Us Apart by 1980s rock royalty INXS has taken out the title of number one song on Triple J’s special edition Hottest 100 countdown dedicated to Australian artists.
Audiences have been voting for months to reveal Australia’s favourite song in the annual countdown that showcases some of the nation’s best homegrown music talent.
Celebrating on behalf of the band, founding member and drummer Jon Farriss joined the radio station on Saturday night to reflect on the win.
“We feel so blessed and we’re very grateful,” Farriss said.
The Hilltop Hoods, icons of Australian hip hop, secured the number two spot with their 2003 track, The Nosebleed Section.
Queensland pop duo The Veronicas and their 2007 hit Untouched, Missy Higgins’ breakout 2004 single Scar and Don’t Dream It’s Over by Crowded House rounded out the top five.
Reflecting on their number three spot, Jess and Lisa Origliasso said for “just two girls from Brisbane”, the countdown had brought them to tears.
“We’re on top of the world right now … this is such a huge honour for us,” Jess Origliasso said.
Higgins also joined the radio station, telling presenters she couldn’t believe Scar still resonated with Australian audiences more than 20 years since its debut.
“I can’t quite believe it — I feel like the luckiest person ever,” she expressed just after the song was played.
Missy Higgins shared that she feels like “the luckiest person ever” after her song Scar was ranked at number four. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett
The countdown is typically comprised of the best songs of the year from all over the world but the youth station hosted a special mid-year poll dedicated to Aussie artists and tracks to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Belgian-born Australian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Gotye squeezed in to cinch the number 10 spot with his 2011 hit Somebody That I Used To Know.
Other notable mentions included Australian music great John Farnham, voted in at number 15 with his 1986 hit You’re the Voice.
Daryl Braithwaite’s The Horses came in at number 30, with Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn voted in at 32.
More than 2.65 million votes were tallied for the countdown, the station’s fourth-largest poll, according to the broadcaster.
Eight tracks in the countdown were separated by fewer than 10 votes and only 30 votes separated songs 100 and 101.
The countdown kicked off at 10am AEST on Saturday and wrapped at 8pm.
