"Listen Like Thieves" is the fifth studio album by Australian rock band INXS, released on October 14, 1985. The album marked a significant breakthrough for the band, reaching No. 1 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart and peaking at No. 11 on the US Billboard 200. It also secured INXS's first top 5 single in the US with "What You Need," which won a Countdown Music and Video Award for 'Best Video.'
The album was produced by Chris Thomas, marking the start of an on-and-off collaboration with the band. INXS, formed in 1977, had already seen some success with their previous album, The Swing, but sought to enhance their international appeal.
Recorded over three months at Rhinoceros Studios in Sydney, Listen Like Thieves was primarily the result of the songwriting partnership between lead vocalist Michael Hutchence and keyboardist Andrew Farriss. As the album neared completion, Thomas urged the band to find a hit single. In a race against time, they focused on a demo titled "Funk Song no 13," which evolved into "What You Need," ultimately delivering the hit that solidified their place in the international music scene.
