Michael Hutchence lets his girlfriend in on his troubles in the clunky "Gift."
Jumpy guitars and clanging drums open the single, setting a raging tone. Hutchence's vocals are obscured. He and his girlfriend were attempting to sort their problems. It seemed like they started happening without any warning. However, he suggests to his girlfriend they go to a secluded spot by the river and have some intimate time together.
"Oh, so fine/We were trying/Out of nowhere/Just in time/Let you take me/Deep down the river/Kiss the changes/That shape my life."
In the pre-chorus, he says he forgets the past. For him, it doesn't exist. It's too painful to remember. However, the hurt has remained.
"Always/Left behind/All the tracks that/I could find/Do do do do do/All these scars are mine."
In the chorus, he chastises her for letting him find some happiness. He's going to know life can be better.
"I was thinking, got the feeling/The gift you gave/Is gonna last forever."
In the second verse, he says that she is able to read him completely. She knows when he is hiding something from her. She also knows when he's needs someone to talk to. Yet, he says the pain is his, despite hs mood swings. They are on a blanket outside, staring at the sky. Hutchence sees the sky as an disappointing sight. There isn't anything there. They share with each other the hope they do have for the future.
"All the lies you find/All the truth you see/Rise and fall/But I know what's mine/Here we lie/Looking up to/Empty sky/And the promises we find."
In the pre-chorus, he adds that many people question if the future will actually happen. He says that can scrape and claw their way to their dreams, but it doesn't mean anything.
"I'm not the first one/To ask why/Yeah, yeah/Do do do do do/Do do do do do/All we ever try."Continued on the next page Page 1 — Page 2
Article comments
1 - Kick
The review of this song although well crafted and creative as one has to be in some reviews is plainly wrong.
The song is about the crucifixion and the notion of a second coming of Jesus Christ. The Gift referred to points to Jesus' sacrifice for our sins, so that we could go on.
Hutchence is cynically dismissive or goading of this event. It is merely a question of who owns one's soul, as he says "all these scars are mine", the man was an agnostic.
Further parts of the song strongly point in this direction but I don't wish to argue biblical or metaphorical rhetoric here.
If you watch the video of this song, the crescendo in the end is actually a representation of 'armageddon' on earth both visually and musically....but it is the one Hutchence sees not the one the bible or others dictate.
There is also crucifixion footage.....
I have been an INXS fan for years who has extensively analysed INXS lyrics and provided reasoning on other forums etc. You will come across the crucifixion theme from others as well.
2 - Edgar
Hi kick,
Great comment! this Pam Avoledo can't see beyond he's noose..
Peace
3 - Jack
I vaguely remember seeing a documentary in which Michael Hutchence spoke about the meaning behind 'The Gift', and it sure as hell wasn't about a relationship. I seem to remember something about the Gift referring to the invention of the bomb.
4 - Cancon
I think that Michael and Andrew had both spoken about the fact that they make a conscious effort in many of INXS songs to make the lyrics ambiguous or broader so that different people could take different things or different interpretatons from each song, that is what can make a song classic or timeless.
Having said that, I too have heard that the Gift did have more specific meaning, I believe Jon Farriss has co-song-writing credit on this one.
I seem to recall that this song was trying to convey a deeper political or social message than a relationship gone sour, in fact it never occurred to me to be about a relationship, I always assumed the language was all metaphoric.
Having said that, I love the actual music in this song, I think the guitars are killer.