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.
Dream World
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The last square mile of terra firma gavelled in the mail
So farewell to the Norfolk Island pines
No amount of make-believe can help this heart of mine
End
Your dreamworld is just about to end
Fall
Your dreamworld will fall
So shut that buckle and turn that key again
Take me to a place they say the dreaming never ends
Open wide, drive that mystery road
Walk through Eden's garden and then wander as you go
End
Your dreamworld is just about to end
Fall
Your dreamworld is just about to fall
Your dreamworld is just about to fall
Sign says, "Honeymoon to Rent"
Cloudland into dreamland turns
The sun comes up and we all learn
Those wheels must turn
End
Your dreamworld is just about to end (oh)
Fall
Your dreamworld is just about to fall (ay)
End
Your dreamworld is just about to end (oh, go, go, go)
Fall, fall, fall, fall, fall
Your dreamworld is just about to fall
Midnight Oil's "Dream World" conveys a sense of impending loss and unease. The Breakfast Creek Hotel is being sold, and the last patch of untouched land has been bought up. The Norfolk Island pines are disappearing, and it seems that everything beautiful and natural is under threat. The song speaks to people who feel that they are living in a dream world, where they are able to ignore the ways in which nature is being destroyed and people are being left behind. It's a wake-up call to anyone who thinks that we can simply ignore the signs of ecological collapse.
The lyrics are delivered with a sense of urgency and desperation that emphasizes the importance of waking up to the problems of the world. The song suggests that there is still hope if we move beyond our dream worlds, but that we need to act quickly if we want to save the beauty and majesty of the natural world.
Overall, "Dream World" is a powerful lament for a world that is being destroyed. It is also a call to action for people to wake up and take responsibility for the world around them. The song ends with a repeated refrain urging listeners to take heed: "your dreamworld is just about to fall."
Line by Line Meaning
The Breakfast Creek Hotel is up for sale
The hotel that has been a popular hangout for people is now being sold.
The last square mile of terra firma gaveled in the mail
The final piece of land is being sold and this means there is no more to be had.
So farewell to the Norfolk Island pines
The trees that have been there for many years will no longer exist and must be bid goodbye.
No amount of make believe can help this heart of mine
No matter how much one tries to pretend it’s okay, the truth remains that it is not.
End, your dreamworld is just about to end
The imaginary world you’ve created for yourself is now coming to an abrupt halt.
Fall, your dreamworld is just about to fall
The make-believe world you created for yourself is collapsing and there's no way to stop it.
Your dreamworld will fall
The dreamland that you created will end, and everything you've established will crumble.
So shut that buckle and turn that key again
Get ready to leave and start all over again.
Take me to a place they say the dreaming never ends
Transport me to a location where people say dreaming can never end.
Open wide, drive that mystery road
Embark on the unknown road with an open mind and without any reservation.
Walk through Eden's garden and then wonder as you go
Enjoy what's in store for you next and take each step with a sense of wonder.
Sign says, 'Honeymoon to Rent'
The announcement on the placard says that one can rent the place for honeymoon.
Cloudland into dreamland turns
As reality sets in, the dreamland gradually transforms into a cloudland.
The sun comes up and we all learn
The suns rise signifies a new dawn which means there are new opportunities to learn.
Those wheels must turn
Life goes on, and everything must keep revolving.
Fall, fall, fall, fall, fall, fall, your dreamworld is just about to fall
Your dreamland is almost completely destroyed, and there’s nothing left to salvage.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Moginie, Martin Rotsey, Peter Garrett, Peter Gifford, Robert Hirst
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pleistocene01
In 1988 I finished an MS in environmental science was convinced I would change the world. The morning of my first job interview, I recall watching this video. 22 years later and beaten down by the realities of making a living and supporting a family, I listen to this with a more balanced perspective but sadness at having lost that idealism. At 50, I am recommitted to embracing the environmental cause I once thought I would champion but fell far short of.
Sondra Dupree
@greatmartini1 , I agree with you and he hasnt got a clue about Ecology. He is a Lawyer & they think they know everything.
greatmartini1
@Sondra Dupree I'm not saying he is bad he was just in over his head when he became the Environmental Minister.
Sondra Dupree
@greatmartini1 , Peter Garret is not a bad man . His problem is he has a Law degree not a Biology , Ecology, Environment degree.
Mark Taylor
Midnight Oil always knew how to write songs that had catchy tunes and good messages. Dreamworld is one of their best.
Joseph Atchison
Mark Taylor they are a great band and always will be.
Cees Schouten
Love their music; The Dead Heart is my personal favorite
Tom Rowan
Dreamworld # 1 King of the Mtn # 2 {{in my opinion}}!
1969cmp
Mark Taylor Yep. And almost prophetic.
emerckx53
What a monster of a frontman Peter Garrett was too. Maybe I'm too romantic but there are not bands like this anymore.