ROCK MOMENT – INXS ‘Original Sin’
‘Original Sin’ is one of the songs that helped establish INXS as an international force in the early 1980s and marked a major step in their evolution from a popular Australian pub-rock band into a sleek, globally recognized act. The track was released in late 1983 as the lead single from their fourth studio album, The Swing, and it showcased a darker, funkier, and more rhythm-driven sound than the band’s earlier work.
The song was written by the core songwriting partnership of keyboardist Andrew Farriss and singer Michael Hutchence. Lyrically, ‘Original Sin’ deals with temptation, forbidden desire, and the pull between instinct and restraint, themes that fit perfectly with Hutchence’s mysterious, seductive vocal style. The title references the biblical concept of humanity’s first temptation, but the song places it in a modern, urban setting filled with tension and sensuality.
Unlike the rest of The Swing, which was produced by Nick Launay, ‘Original Sin’ was produced separately by Nile Rodgers, the legendary guitarist and producer best known for his work with Chic, David Bowie, Madonna, and Duran Duran. Rodgers’ involvement gave the track a distinctive groove and polish that set it apart from the rest of the album. He brought a strong funk and R&B sensibility to the recording, emphasizing tight rhythm guitar, a locked-in bass line, and a clean, spacious mix that allowed the song’s pulse to drive everything.
Recording took place at Rhinoceros Studios in Sydney, where Rodgers encouraged the band to focus on feel and pocket rather than raw volume. Andrew Farriss built the song around a pulsing keyboard motif and drum machine pattern, while Tim Farriss added sharp, rhythmic guitar accents influenced by Rodgers’ own trademark style. Garry Gary Beers’ bass and Jon Farriss’ precise, syncopated drumming created a danceable foundation that pushed INXS toward the sophisticated groove-based sound they would later perfect on Listen Like Thieves and Kick.
Michael Hutchence’s vocal performance, shaped under Rodgers’ guidance, was smooth, confident, and seductive, helping define the charismatic frontman image that would soon make him an international rock icon. ‘Original Sin’ became a major hit in Australia and a breakthrough single in the United States, and its success helped open the door for INXS’s rise to global stardom.
