INXS Claims Top Spot in Hottest 100
INXS has taken the best Hottest 100 of Australian Songs award with their song Never Tear Us Apart which was released in 1988. The result was revealed by Triple j after a countrywide vote naming the most iconic tracks in the country. The ballad remains lyrical, to accompany personal experience, sports contest,s and cinema.
The timeless use of vocals by Michael Hutchence, as well as the forceful appearance of a saxophone solo that can be seen in the song, prompted the vote. It is a song that has a permanent impression on the Australian musical heritage.
Hilltop Hoods Reach Second With 2003 Classic
The Nosebleed Section, a 2003 single by Hilltop Hoods, took the second spot because it contains a sample of People in the Front Row by Melanie Safka. It might be said that the collaboration of the Adelaide group to compose the party anthem was through their ever-standing fans, who made it possible. It used to perform well on charts and bring energy to the masses in the country.
Triple j acknowledged the distinctiveness of the track in the hip-hop music in Australia. The lyrics and production of the song help people of different generations relate to the song.
The Veronicas Secure Third with Untouched
The third position at the countdown was claimed by Untouched by The Veronicas. The Brisbane duo released their energetic single in 2007 and it has been popular again. After it went viral at the beginning of 2019, it was once again brought back into the center of the LGBTQIA+ world.
This is also the first time that The Veronicas featured a Hottest 100 special song. The tempo of the song was fast, and it was emotionally performed so as to rank among the best entries.
Missy Higgins and Crowded House Complete the Top Five
Missy Higgins placed fourth with Scar, her most commercially successful track to date. Higgins first gained national attention through triple j Unearthed. The 2004 hit continues to appear in Hottest 100 lists, this being her 13th overall entry.
Crowded House reached fifth with Don’t Dream It’s Over. Although the group includes New Zealand members, they meet the eligibility requirement with at least 50% Australian representation. The 1986 track previously ranked in the 1996 and 2009 All Time Hottest 100s.
Powderfinger Returns to the List with My Happiness
Powderfinger landed sixth place with My Happiness, the Brisbane band’s top-ranking single in 2000. The track previously topped the annual countdown in its release year. It has now entered three Hottest 100 specials, including the 2009 and 2013 editions.
Fans continue to support the band despite a wide discography. The vote confirms the enduring popularity of their early 2000s output.
Cold Chisel Scores Double Placement
Cold Chisel secured both seventh and eighth positions with Flame Trees and Khe Sanh respectively. These tracks have long featured in Australia’s pub culture and live music history.
Khe Sanh, first released in 1978, appeared in past All Time Hottest 100s but ranked higher than ever this year. Flame Trees followed, with its emotional tone and distinctive melody capturing renewed attention.
Also Read: Triple J Hottest 100 Australian Songs 2025: Full Countdown and Highlights
Paul Kelly’s How to Make Gravy Debuts
Paul Kelly made his debut in a Hottest 100 countdown with How to Make Gravy, ranking ninth. The 1996 release has become an unofficial Christmas anthem. The storytelling in the song continues to inspire covers and live renditions across Australia.
The track’s inclusion highlights its transformation from cult favourite to mainstream recognition.
Gotye’s Somebody That I Used To Know Rounds Out the Top Ten
Somebody That I Used to Know, a 2011 success by Gotye and Kimbra, ranked in the tenth position. This song has been ranked No. 1 at the Hottest 100 of 2011 and appeared again in the special edition of 2013 and 2020 edition. Dochii has used sampling in her Anxiety to make the track spread among more people.
It has been one of the most internationally known songs in Australia, which is shown through cross-generational appeal.
A National Snapshot of Australian Music
The countdown covered multiple decades, capturing diverse genres and sounds that shaped Australian identity. The final list reflects Australia’s musical evolution, personal memory, and community expression.
Triple j confirmed the Hottest 100 as part of its continued commitment to showcasing local talent. Voters selected tracks that best represent Australia’s musical heritage and direction.
