The majority of INXS’ songs were written by their vocalist, Michael Hutchence and keyboard player, Andrew Farris.

After they started to experience international success with their third album, ShaboohShoobah, they wanted to start writing songs with more depth. This resulted in their classic song from The Swing, 'Original Sin', which reached No. 1 in Australia in January 1984.

Although Michael Hutchence never fully explained the meaning behind the lyrics, they seem to touch on race and how ignorance is passed down through generations.

In this clip from an oral history recorded with Andrew Farris at the NFSA in 2015, he discusses the writing of the song as well as the backlash the band received in America at the time, due to the lyrics.