Listen Like Thieves (song)

"Listen Like Thieves"
Australian 7-inch vinyl single
Single by INXS
from the album Listen Like Thieves
B-side	"Different World"
Released	June 1986
Recorded	1985
Genre	Rock
Length	3:47
Label	Atlantic
Songwriter(s)	Garry Gary Beers Andrew Farriss Jon Farriss Tim Farriss Michael Hutchence Kirk Pengilly
Producer(s)	Chris Thomas
INXS singles chronology
"Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain)" (1986) "Listen Like Thieves" (1986) "Good Times" (1986)

"Listen Like Thieves" is the title song and fourth and final single from Australian rock band INXS's fifth album, Listen Like Thieves.

Background

The song was written by Michael Hutchence, Kirk Pengilly, Garry Gary Beers, Andrew Farriss, Tim Farriss and Jon Farriss. The B-side to the single was "Different World", which appeared on the "Crocodile" Dundee soundtrack. It was released as a single during 1986, where it peaked at number 46. The track first appeared on the album which was released in October 1985.

Cash Box called it "a grooving, biting rock gem."^[1] Billboard called it "crisp arena rock."^[2]

The music video was shot at the Westgarth Theatre in Melbourne, depicting the band performing in a post-apocalyptic setting.^[3]

Charts

Chart (1986)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[4]	28
UK Singles (OCC)[5]	46
US Billboard Hot 100[6]	54
US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)	12
Chart (1992)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC)[7]	58

Cover versions

• Was (Not Was) covered the song and released it as a single in 1992 to promote their album Hello Dad ... I'm in Jail. It reached number 58 on the UK Singles Chart.

References

1. "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. 3 May 1986. p. 13. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
2. "Reviews". Billboard. 3 May 1986. p. 65. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
3. "The Westgarth celebrates 80 years". Cinemarecord (32). 2001. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
4. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
5. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
6. "INXS Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
7. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.