Echoes on the Landing Point | The Stairs | INXS

The Stairs is a song by INXS that was released in 1982 on their debut album Shabooh Shoobah. The song is often overlooked when discussing INXS's discography, but it holds its own significance within the band's early work.

Lyrically, The Stairs is a introspective and atmospheric track that explores themes of nostalgia and longing. The song's protagonist is stuck in the past, reliving memories of a lost love and struggling to move forward. The lyrics are somewhat abstract, with frontman Michael Hutchence delivering cryptic lines like "I'll be watching you from the stairs" and "The stairs that I climb are not the same."

Musically, The Stairs features INXS's signature blend of post-punk and new wave influences, with a prominent bassline and atmospheric synthesizers. The song's pace is slow-burning, with a hypnotic quality that draws the listener in. Hutchence's distinctive vocals take center stage, his emotive delivery adding depth to the song's already-poignant lyrics.

Despite being an early work, The Stairs showcases INXS's developing skills as songwriters and musicians. It's a testament to their ability to craft moody, introspective tracks that would become a hallmark of their later work. While it may not be as well-known as some of their other songs, The Stairs remains a standout track in their early discography.

Overall, The Stairs is a haunting and evocative song that showcases INXS's capacity for atmospheric storytelling. It's a must-listen for fans of the band's early work, and a great example of their ability to craft memorable songs even in the earliest stages of their career.