Music Review: INXS "The Gift"
INXS
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The Gift
Album: Full Moon, Dirty Hearts
Year: 1993
Michael Hutchence lets his girlfriend in on his troubles in the clunky "Gift."
Jumpy guitars and clanging drums open the single, setting a raging tone. Hutchence's vocals, which are obscured. He and his girlfriend were attempting to sort their problems. It seemed like they started happening without any warning. However, he suggests to his girlfriend they go to a secluded spot by the river and have some intimate time together.
In the pre-chorus, he says he forgets the past. For him, it doesn't exist. It's too painful to remember. However, the hurt has remained.
In the chorus, he chastises her for letting him find some happiness. He's going to know life can be better.
In the second verse, he says that she is able to read him completely. She knows when he is hiding something from her. She also knows when he's needs someone to talk to. Yet, he says the pain is his, despite hs mood swings. They are on a blanket outside, staring at the sky. Hutchence sees the sky as an disappointing sight. There isn't anything there. They share each with other the hope they do have for the future.
In the pre-chorus, he adds that many people question if the future will actually happen. He says that can scrape and claw their way to their dreams, but it doesn't mean anything.
Album: Full Moon, Dirty Hearts
Year: 1993
Michael Hutchence lets his girlfriend in on his troubles in the clunky "Gift."
Jumpy guitars and clanging drums open the single, setting a raging tone. Hutchence's vocals, which are obscured. He and his girlfriend were attempting to sort their problems. It seemed like they started happening without any warning. However, he suggests to his girlfriend they go to a secluded spot by the river and have some intimate time together.
"Oh, so fine/We were trying/Out of nowhere/
Just in time/Let you take me/Deep down the river/Kiss the changes/That shape my life."
In the pre-chorus, he says he forgets the past. For him, it doesn't exist. It's too painful to remember. However, the hurt has remained.
"Always/Left behind/All the tracks that/I could find/Do do do do do/All these scars are mine."
In the chorus, he chastises her for letting him find some happiness. He's going to know life can be better.
"I was thinking, got the feeling/The gift you gave/Is gonna last forever."
In the second verse, he says that she is able to read him completely. She knows when he is hiding something from her. She also knows when he's needs someone to talk to. Yet, he says the pain is his, despite hs mood swings. They are on a blanket outside, staring at the sky. Hutchence sees the sky as an disappointing sight. There isn't anything there. They share each with other the hope they do have for the future.
"All the lies you find/All the truth you see/Rise and fall/But I know what's mine/
Here we lie/Looking up to/Empty sky/And the promises we find."
In the pre-chorus, he adds that many people question if the future will actually happen. He says that can scrape and claw their way to their dreams, but it doesn't mean anything.
"I'm not the first one/To ask why/Yeah, yeah/Do do do do do/Do do do do do/All we ever try."
The chorus is sung twice.
In the bridge, Hutchence sings bits and pieces of the verses."Let you take me/
Deep down the river/Kiss the changes/That shape my life/Do do do do do/Do do do do do/All these scars are mine/Do do do do do/Do do do do do/All these scars are mine."
The chorus is sung again.
The second verse, which is edited, is sung again."All the lies you find/All the truth you see/Rise and fall/But I know what's mine."
The chorus is sung yet again.
The abbreviated second verse is sung again to end the single.
"The Gift" is an embarassing attempt to be grunge. However, they can't sell angst at all. Hutchence sings the song as he would their previous dance-pop singles: easygoing and optimistic. The distortion tries to bring some sarcasm to his vocals. But it just makes it sound like he's singing into a steel drum.
INXS has many classic singles. But "The Gift" is best left forgotten.