Michael Hutchence’s chilling final lyrics found inside hotel room the night he died
In the 20 years since Michael Hutchence’s death rocked the music world, there have been more questions than answers.
Adoring fans around the world were left asking why the beloved INXS frontman took his own life inside a Sydney hotel room on 22 November 1997.
Now, a 7 News world exclusive documentary that spanned over two years, four continents and five countries, has unearthed his final lyrics – written in the hotel room the night the 37-year-old rockstar’s life ended.
Found on a yellow notepad next to his bed in room 524 of the Ritz Carlton in Double Bay, Hutchence’s final lyrics are described by close friend, Nick Egan, as “almost a suicide note”.
His turbulent relationship with the press plays out in one verse, writing "sick of the dogs outside my window" – a reference to the photographers, who according to Duran Duran lead singer Simon Le Bon, terrorised Hutchence and Paula Yates.
Hutchence’s final musings begin:
“Wouldn’t be right to take it
Wouldn’t be right laying down
Sick of the dogs outside my window
That’s right take a look
New plan with a hook
Stuck into me
All the bitterness
Has started showing
Five years no one hears”
Using a small dictaphone, Hutchence recorded the lyrics, which will air during part two of the documentary.
The coroner eventually returned the lyrics to Colin Diamond, Hutchence’s close friend, attorney and former executor of his estate, who kept them hidden for nearly 20 years.
Described as a “packrat with s*** stored all over the world”, the documentary gives an unprecedented look into Hutchence's unreleased music tucked away in secret locations from Wembley to Zurich.
The two-part documentary, produced by Mark Llewellyn, reveals personal family videos, unreleased music and photos of Hutchence and his beloved daughter Tiger Lily that had remained hidden to the world – until now.
American model Rosanna Crash also explained how her whirlwind three-year romance with Hutchence came to an abrupt end that left her heartbroken, while he pursued a new love interest in a young Kylie Minogue who was determined to shake her good girl image.
“He was a good boyfriend but he was bad at breaking up,” Crash said.
“He’d love you to the bitter end, then be gone and that’s it.
Interviews from close friends including Bono, Billy Zane and Simon Le Bon give a rare insight into the inner sanctum of Hutchence's rockstar lifestyle as well as his undying love for his daughter Tiger Lily.
Michael Hutchence – The Last Rockstar airs on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 October at 7.30pm only on Channel 7.