More than 2.6 million people voted in Triple J's poll to find Australia's most loved homegrown hits, with INXS's 1987 ballad Never Tear Us Apart taking the top spot. The song, a global hit for the band, was written by frontman Michael Hutchence for his then-girlfriend and is widely regarded as the group's most unforgettable anthem.
The Hottest 100 of Australian Songs, a spin-off of Triple J's annual poll, featured Australian releases from any era. Hilltop Hoods' The Nosebleed Section came second, followed by the Veronicas' Untouched in third, Missy Higgins's Scar in fourth, and Crowded House's Don't Dream It's Over in fifth. The top 10 also included tracks from Cold Chisel, Powderfinger, Paul Kelly, and Gotye and Kimbra.
The poll was launched after January's Hottest 100 featured only 29 Australian songs, a poor showing compared with previous years when local acts typically made up over 50% of the countdown. Triple J head Lachlan Macara acknowledged the challenge for Australian artists to cut through algorithms on social media and streaming platforms, but promised the station would continue supporting local music.
Ben Lee, whose song Cigarettes Will Kill You placed 83rd, criticised the special edition as a 'band-aid' and called for the annual Hottest 100 to be Australian-only. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also revealed his votes, including Midnight Oil's Bed.
