The band split in 2002 to allow Garrett to focus on his political career. He became a member of the Australian House of Representatives and the was the Australian Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts from 2007-2010. From 2010, he was the Australian Minister for Education. Garrett did not stand for re-election in 2013. The band has reunited since then for two benefit concerts: the 2005 WaveAid concert for Indian Ocean Tsunami victims and in March 2009 the band reformed for two shows in Canberra as a warm up for "Sound Relief" in Melbourne, a benefit concert for the Victorian Bushfire victims.
The Oils, as they are known to their fans, began as a progressive rock band called Farm in the early 1970s, then under the Midnight Oil name developed a reputation as an impressive and hard-working live act associated with the surfing community of Sydney. They became one of Australia's most respected bands, known for their live performances, and also for their activism and support for community groups and causes.
Midnight Oil's first two albums Midnight Oil and Head Injuries were originally released on an independent label, followed by the EP Bird Noises in 1980. Their third album, Place without a Postcard, was recorded in Great Britain with the respected producer Glyn Johns (Led Zeppelin, The Who) on the back of a brief tour of the UK.
Their fourth album, 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 (spoken as "10 to 1"), marked both the Oil's major Australian breakthrough and the beginning of their successful association with producer Nick Launay. This album also saw considerable success in the college radio scene of the US, prompting a tour of North America.
Following on from 10-1, the Oils with Nick Launay recorded the fifth album Red Sails in the Sunset during a three month stint in Tokyo in 1984, becoming the first known western band to record an entire album in Japan. Red Sails was reasonably successful in Australia, featuring songs like Best of Both Worlds and Kosciuszko, but the album's quirky, experimental sound failed to make major inroads overseas. Also during 1984, frontman Peter Garrett was narrowly defeated in an election for the New South Wales, representing the Nuclear Disarmament Party (NDP).
In 1985, following the release of the EP Species Deceases the Oils embarked on a career-changing tour of remote Aboriginal communities of outback Australia with legendary Aboriginal group, the Warumpi Band. The tour led to the recording of Midnight Oil's major international breakthrough success Diesel and Dust, released in 1987 which featured their biggest international hit Beds Are Burning. The following album Blue Sky Mining, released in 1990 had two songs that topped the US Modern Rock charts, Blue Sky Mine and Forgotten Years. Both Diesel and Dust and Blue Sky Mining were produced with Warne Livesey.
Between 1988 and 1992, the band's Diesel and Dust and Blue Sky Mining discs became known worldwide, as did their political activism for causes ranging from nuclear disarmament to aboriginal rights and environmental issues. Their subsequent albums sold less well outside Australia, but the Oils maintained a following throughout the 1990s and into the new century.
The Midnight Oil lineup remained quite stable over the band's long career: Garrett as lead singer and harmonica, Jim Moginie on guitar and keyboards, Martin Rotsey on guitar, and Rob Hirst on drums. Andrew (Bear) James, the first bass player, left in 1980 due to ill health. Peter Gifford replaced him and in turn quit the band in 1987 citing the pressures of touring. New Zealander Bones Hillman, (ex Swingers) replaced him, and remained with the group until its dissolution in 2002. Gary Morris was the band's manager and effective sixth member (often credited with the simple title "Business, no singing" on albums) throughout.
In 2004 Peter Garrett was elected to Federal Parliament as the Labor member for Kingsford-Smith in Sydney. In November 2007 he became Minister for Arts in the Australian government as a member of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's front bench. He retired from Parliament in 2013. Jim Moginie continues his involvement with music through his own band, The Family Dog and as a producer for artists such as Sarah Blasko. Rob Hirst is also involved with several musical projects such as Hirst and Greene, Ghostwriters, The Angry Tradesmen and The Backsliders. Moginie, Hirst and Martin Rotsey continue to play and record together in instrumental band The Break.
The band reformed in 2016, launched a world tour in 2017 and released the live album Armistice Day: Live at the Domain, Sydney with an accompanying film. 2020 saw the release of the mini-album called The Makarrata Project. Bass guitarist Bones Hillman died on 7 November 2020 of cancer. On 18 May 2021, the band announced their upcoming thirteenth album, Show of Hands, the last recordings to feature Hillman. The first single, released on 28 October, was Rising Seas.
Cold Cold Change
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you came and went so soon
Cold cold change, we were not invited
We smiled all the while we were taken in
Cold cold change, bringing in the winter
Freezing up the water, closing up the mind
One more danger, gonna have to deal with
But no lasting change, well we were turned around
We jumped in the air to see over the wall
No master plan, it's a bad design
Significant time in spite of us all
Cold cold change, we were so excited
Waiting on the outside, waiting to begin
Left us all angry and bewildered
Laughing at the way we were taken in
You better lock the door, turn it off (the light)
We'll leave the nights alone, better keep me hoping
That the change is over, the ice is gone
And when the weather's warmer you can hear me shouting yeah
(Hirst/Moginie)
Midnight Oil’s song Cold Cold Change, from their 1980 album Place without a Postcard, speaks of the disappointment and frustration that come from the unfulfilled promises and expectations brought on by change. The track has a propulsive beat and powerful, pointed lyrics, but its energy carries with it a sense of disillusionment.
The opening lines set the tone, with Peter Garrett’s voice conveying both excitement and a hint of caution. The “cold cold change” arrived with great anticipation but departed too soon, leaving the singer feeling left out and taken in. The image of winter affecting not only the terrain but also the mind creates a sense of unease.
Garrett sings of “one more danger” to deal with, a moment that fades over time. The chorus, though, suggests that no lasting change occurred, as the excitement of waiting to begin turned into anger and bewilderment. The shining moment of jumping in the air to see over the wall, a metaphor for grasping at something new, has no master plan and a flawed design. The significant time was all for nought.
The final lines add a hint of hope for change, a warmer weather to come, but the listener can’t help but feel that the shouting of “yeah” is as much for anger as for pleasure. The song speaks to the risk and reward of change, without offering any easy solutions. It’s a powerful statement that can resonate with anyone who has been promised a transformation that never materialized.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold cold change, we were so excited
We were thrilled at the prospect of change, even though it would be difficult.
But you came and went so soon
The change was fleeting and did not last long.
Cold cold change, we were not invited
We did not have any control over the change that was happening.
We smiled all the while we were taken in
Despite the negative effects of the change, we still tried to see the positive side.
Cold cold change, bringing in the winter
The change was like winter, cold and unwelcoming.
Freezing up the water, closing up the mind
The change made it more difficult to think clearly and function well.
One more danger, gonna have to deal with
The change brought about additional problems that needed to be addressed.
One last moment fading all the time
The last good memory before the change became more distant with each passing moment.
But no lasting change, well we were turned around
The change did not have a lasting impact, and we were left disoriented.
We jumped in the air to see over the wall
We tried to find a way to overcome the obstacles that the change had brought about.
No master plan, it's a bad design
The change was poorly thought out and lacked proper planning.
Significant time in spite of us all
Despite our efforts to resist the change, it still had a significant impact on our lives.
Cold cold change, we were so excited
We were optimistic about the change despite the challenges that came with it.
Waiting on the outside, waiting to begin
We were impatient to start experiencing the benefits of the change.
Left us all angry and bewildered
The change left us feeling confused and frustrated.
Laughing at the way we were taken in
In hindsight, we realized that we were naive to think the change would be easy.
You better lock the door, turn it off (the light)
We need to protect ourselves and be prepared for future changes.
We'll leave the nights alone, better keep me hoping
We will try to remain optimistic despite the uncertainty of the future.
That the change is over, the ice is gone
We hope that the difficulties brought about by the change are finally over.
And when the weather's warmer you can hear me shouting yeah
When things get better, we will be happy and celebrate.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDREW JAMES, JAMES MOGINIE, MARTIN ROTSEY, PETER GARRETT, ROBERT HIRST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Richard Day PCC
Just the best Australian band ever…great lyrics about real Australia and played like real passionate Aussies
Tim Hennessey
One of my all time fav songs..brilliant :-)
El Casho
So awesome!
Bad Motor Breath
Always come back to this song and film clip. A lesson in classic rock without the frills. And that mirror effect at 2:00 freaked me out when I was a kid in the 80s 😁
Noel Keenan
How good is this!!
Melissa Barrett
Well-crafted song 👍
BA Richo
Epic! and thanks for the video.. such an awesome band. Absolute quality Aussie Rock at its finest..
Aaron Wells
Over 40 years old and still sounds raw as fuck.
Joan Cahill
Thankyou! And "Bear" Too! My Fave Era & How Good Is It! Memories! Oilssssss! 🖐🥁🎸🎤🎼💖
Mark Tynan
Is there a better political rock band in history? I think not!!