Music Review: INXS "Not Enough Time"

INXS

Not Enough Time

Album: Welcome to Wherever You Are

Year: 1992

          Michael Hutchence is overwhelmed by his emotions in the fragile “Not Enough Time.”

               Vulnerable synths open the single, setting a fond tone. He puts his head on her shoulder and closes her eyes, taking her all in. His heart races and caresses her arms to calm himself. He wishes he could her boss and give her recongnition at work. He hopes he could be the friend that would reach out to her and give her the answer she needs. However, all he can do is offer his love. Then, she wouldn’t feel pain or anger. She would free of whatever is hurting her. (“And I was lost for words in your arms /Attempting to make sense of my aching heart /If I could just be everything and everyone to you /This life would just be so easy.”)

               In the chorus, he would like her to be able to find a job that makes her happy. He wants to take her to every place she wants to visit. The first five years have moved so fast. He doesn’t know when it will ever end. (“Not enough time /For all that I want for you /Not enough time for every kiss /And every touch and all the nights /I wanna be inside you.”)

                In the bridge, he wants to make every moment with her last. (“We will make time stop /For the two of us /Make time stop /And listen for our sighs.”)

                   The chorus is sung again.

              It is when they make love that he’s at peace and truly whole. (“In our fight against the end /Making love we are immortal /We are the last two left on earth/ And I was lost for words in your arms /Attempting to make sense of my aching heart /If I could just be everything and everyone to you.”)

                 Hutchence is intimate, drawing people into the moment, allowing people to see what love looks like.

                The chorus is sung twice to end the single.

              The overlooked “Not Enough Time” is so beautiful it redefines the word.