Kylie Minogue has opened up on the reasons behind performing an INXS cover on her new tour.

The singer has been playing the track 'Need You Tonight' on her Kiss Me Once tour and she told The Metro that it is an ode to her former partner Michael Hutchence.

The singer died in 1997 aged 37 and Minogue said that she thinks he would have liked her live cover.

Minogue said: "I’m asked about Michael all the time. I don’t bring it up but I was asked about him because of all of this interest. The INXS albums – they were just really hot in the charts for a long time. There was a big revival of their music and the memory of Michael in Australia.

"It just struck me that would be a great song to do – it’s just such a strong vibe to perform that song. You shouldn’t really do anything to it. Just let it be and sing it really simply. I love the staging and that. It’s very still and sexy. I like to have that little tribute to him."

When asked if she thinks Hutchence would like her cover, Minogue replied:

"Yeah, of course. I’m sure of it otherwise I wouldn’t be doing it."

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Watch Minogue cover the tune below: