INXS and Beyond: Celebrating All Winners of Triple J’s Hottest 100

## Triple J’s Inaugural Hottest 100 of Australian Songs

Triple j has successfully launched its first-ever **Hottest 100** focused exclusively on Australian songs, and the response was remarkable. This initiative not only celebrated local talent but also attracted significant participation from listeners, tallying a total of 2,655,826 votes, marking it as triple j’s fourth largest Hottest 100 event.

### Impressive Participation

This year’s vote count exceeded the 2,489,446 votes recorded during the last annual Hottest 100, which was clinched by Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe.” The record for the highest votes was set in 2019, with over 3.2 million submissions reported by **The Music Network**.

### A Look Back

Triple j first engaged its audience in 1989 with an “all-time” list, which Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart” won. Over the years, the station has expanded its polls to include favorites from previous years, the best Australian albums, and more. It seems only a matter of time before the all-Australian concept is revisited.

## Challenges for Australian Artists

The recent poll comes at a crucial time for Australian musicians, who face competition from an ever-expanding catalog of over 100 million songs on streaming platforms. This figure is constantly climbing, making it increasingly difficult for local artists to gain visibility against major labels’ marketing efforts in the US and UK.

### Celebrating INXS

The highlight of the night was INXS’s classic track “Never Tear Us Apart,” which took the top spot. The band’s achievement was bolstered by significant support from the **INXS Access All Areas podcast** and various fan initiatives. The song, originally released in 1987, has recently been spotlighted in a nostalgic 35th-anniversary project that features behind-the-scenes footage and new interviews.

“Never Tear Us Apart” became the fourth single from their acclaimed album *Kick*, which solidified INXS’s status on a global scale. It hit No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, with other singles like “Need You Tonight” reaching No. 1.

### Honoring Local Talent

Bernard Fanning and Powderfinger also made waves during the event. Fanning, a Brisbane singer, had the most songs featured, with four entries that included three with Powderfinger. Tracks like “My Happiness” ranked sixth, with others also making the cut.

The youthful demographic, particularly those aged 18-29, comprised the largest voting segment. Interestingly, over half of their votes went to songs released before they entered high school, highlighting a strong appreciation for music from the 2000s and earlier. One standout surprise was The Veronicas’ catchy hit “Untouched,” which secured the No. 3 position.

Relive the excitement of the Hottest 100 of Australian Songs and celebrate the incredible talent from down under. What were your favorite moments from the event?