Pretty Vegas

"Pretty Vegas"
Song

"Pretty Vegas" was the first single released from Switch, the 11th studio album by the Australian rock band INXS. The single was released on November 29, 2005. It is the first album recorded with new lead singer J.D. Fortune, who won the Rock Star: INXS competition to succeed Michael Hutchence, the band's legendary late lead singer.

The song was written by J.D. Fortune and Andrew Farriss. It was first released exclusively through iTunes Music Store on October 4, 2005 for two weeks. The song helped Fortune to win Rockstar: INXS, having been a favourite with the viewers and INXS. It peaked at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart on October 22, 2005. After the release of INXS' album Switch, the single was re-released and had reached #9 on the Billboard Adult Top 40 Singles Chart.

The song debuted on the show Rockstar: INXS during the time when Fortune was vying for the lead vocalist spot on INXS. The eight contestants were challenged to write lyrics to melody written by Andrew Farriss. They were divided into two teams of four. When Fortune did not see eye to eye with his team (which included runner-up Marty Casey), he decided to venture out on his own and write his own lyrics. At first, Fortune's move was considered to have jeopardised his chances of winning the competition (since it was perceived he couldn't work in a team), but it was this move that resulted in his creation of the lyrics of "Pretty Vegas". This song became a favorite of both fans and INXS and played a major role in Fortune winning the competition.

Later on in the year 2005, the band Bluebeard covered the song. It has also been heard on the television show "Las Vegas".