Hear Bonnie Raitt Transform INXS’ “Need You Tonight” Into A Gritty, Smoldering Blues Tune

Bonnie Takes Over Jimmy Kimmel Live

On Monday night’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, the only INXS song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Need You Tonight” went from a new wave classic to a sexy, smoldering blues tune when put into the hands of Bonnie Raitt. Affectionately known as the first lady of the blues, Bonnie’s take on the 1987 smash hit proved to be both a powerful reminder of her endless wealth of talent as well as a fitting tribute to late INXS singer Michael Hutchence, leveraging her own smoky, bluesy voice and slide licks to create a slowed down, gritty counterpart to INXS’ slick, danceable creation.

Fun Fact: With “Need You Tonight,” INXS also achieved their highest charting position in the United Kingdom, where the song reached number two on the UK Singles Chart

Featured on Raitt’s latest album Dig In Deep, “Need You Tonight” as performed in front of audiences at Jimmy Kimmel Live isn’t what you’d call a barnburner of a song – but what it lacks in flash and synthesizers it more than makes up for with the raw sensuality and blues soaked sound that’s made Bonnie such a well loved household name for the past several decades. One of our favorite covers in recent memory, be sure to give Bonnie and her fun take on this INXS classic a listen in the video below – trust us, it’s one you definitely do not want to miss!