Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain)

Andrew Farriss begins it all with a simple three-note strum that becomes the core of the song, but by the time "Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain)" is over, it's clear that INXS had a bit of a hidden treasure in this track from the Listen Like Thieves album. With Garry Beers laying down a steady, focused bass line that the song rides just so, "Kiss the Dirt" balances out a wistful dreaminess with the crisp focus that the group had by then made its particular stock in trade. Said wistfulness really comes to the fore on the chorus -- Michael Hutchence having sung the verses with a sweet tenderness, the addition of backing vocals, and a just-strong-enough synth line adding elements of warmth and chill both. Things pick up as the song goes on, with a snarling guitar line and other background touches further fleshing down the arrangement in a late instrumental break until everything strips back for one final verse/chorus combination.