The National Covers INXS’ ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ To Benefit Australian Fires

By Eliot Hill

February 27, 2020

On Wednesday (February 26), The National released its cover of INXS' “Never Tear Us Apart” as part of the Songs for Australia benefit album to raise money for the country after the devastating wildfires.

While the band stays true to INXS' song, the original string synth-heavy track gets a makeover by The National with drums taking the helm in the band's cover. The National also added some pretty remarkable horns into its version as well as some killer guitar riffs.

The album will benefit a ton of charities, including WildArk, Landcare Australia, SEED: First indigenous Youth Climate network, The Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation, and Emergency Leaders for Climate Action.

Other artists contributing to the album include Julia Stone (who spearheaded the idea for the album), Kurt Vile, Dermot Kennedy, Damien Rice, and more. Songs for Australia will be released March 5.

View this post on Instagram

I’m so so happy to announce a project i’ve been working on over the last few weeks. The video/song I posted earlier of ‘Beds Are Burning’ got me started… inspired I reached out to artists I had a connection with. I thought we could do more, with more of us. I asked if they would cover an Australian song for an album that would raise money for the bushfire crisis. The response was immediate and immense. So many incredible artists have done astonishing versions of some classic Australian tunes. This record ‘Songs For Australia’ sounds AMAZING_ so grateful to @thenational @dermotkennedy @damienrice @kurtvile @joanaspolicewoman @samamidon @dansultanmusic @dopelemonmusic @paulkellyofficial @martha.wainwright @petitbiscuit @pommeofficial who all came back to me, so happy to do anything to help out down here, and have delivered unbelievably beautiful music. All money from this record will go to organisations that are doing amazing things to build a better future for Australia and also to respond to the needs during and following this period of bushfires. @firesticks.alliance.network @seedmob @wild.ark @theclimatecouncil @landcareaustralia @nswrfs Also, special thanks to @dovneon for creating this beautiful original artwork for the cover of the record (courtesy of @jennsingergallery) You can pre-order cd or vinyl at songsforaustralia.com Record will be available for streaming March 5th xx

A post shared by Julia Stone (@juliastonemusic) on Feb 16, 2020 at 3:52pm PST

The National recently announced a tour extension with a dozen new headlining dates in North America amongst the band's festival appearances.

The National additional 2020 tour dates:

07-15 Shelburne, Vermont - The Green at Shelburne Museum *

07-17 Ottawa, Ontario - Ottawa Bluesfest

07-19 Chicago, IL - Pitchfork Music Festival

07-20 Minneapolis, MN - Surly Brewing Festival Field *

07-21 Winnipeg, Manitoba - Burton Cummings Theatre *

07-23 Edmonton, Alberta - Edmonton Convention Centre *

07-25 Missoula, MT - KettleHouse Amphitheatre ~*

07-26 Boise, ID - Outlaw Field at Idaho Botanical Garden *

07-29 Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap Center for Performing Arts +

07-30 New Haven, CT - Westville Music Bowl ^

07-31 Bethlehem, PA - Musikfest +

08-01 Cooperstown, NY - Brewery Ommegang +

^ with Sharon Van Etten

* with Lucy Dacus

+ with Julia Jacklin

Photo: Getty Images

TopicsThe National Pool INXS