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.
Hercules
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to keep it that way, I won't cry
My life's such a valuable thing
Some things don't fade away, I don't mind
We give the best we can give
We won't forget, we can't forgive
Keep us radioactive free
Strike a bell in Hiroshima park
We try and we try and we try
Who waits for the planes to come
When everybody's got you on the run
South Pacific carry on
It seems to me that what we're saying
Nobody really wants to talk about it
This is no time to be wondering why
I do the best I can do
The human jungle and the global zoo
I'll find my way it's a very special way
Why wait for the planes to come
When everybody's got us on the run
South Pacific carry on
Here come the Hercules
Here come the submarines
Sinking south pacific dreams
In Midnight Oil's song "Hercules," the lyrics express the importance of valuing life while acknowledging the dangers and challenges that come with living in a world where nuclear weapons exist. The opening lines emphasize the preciousness of life and the desire to preserve it, with the repeated phrase "My life is a valuable thing" and the declaration that "Some things don't fade away." The band then speaks to the collective responsibility of humanity to do their best to prevent nuclear disasters, singing "We give the best we can give, we won't forget, we can't forgive, Keep us radioactive free."
The song then brings up the devastating impact of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II, urging listeners to "Strike a bell in Hiroshima park." The lyrics also touch on the feeling of hopelessness that can come from living in a world where we are constantly at risk of nuclear disaster, with lines like "You know that we can't see in the dark, We try and we try and we try."
The final verses of the song reflect a sense of determination and resilience in the face of the world's challenges, with the band singing "I'll find my way it's a very special way" and rallying listeners to "carry on." The final lines of the song introduce the idea of military intervention and the destructive power of submarines and warplanes, reminding us of the ongoing threat to peace and security in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
My life is a valuable thing
I cherish my life and consider it important
I want to keep it that way, I won't cry
I will take measures to protect my life and won't let adversities break me down
My life's such a valuable thing
My life is valuable to me despite being vulnerable
Some things don't fade away, I don't mind
Certain things like the worth of life are enduring and I don't mind being reminded of them
We give the best we can give
We give our utmost in everything we do
We won't forget, we can't forgive
We will remember the injustices committed and won't pardon them
Keep us radioactive free
Protect us from radioactive contamination
Strike a bell in Hiroshima park
Ring a bell to remember the victims of the atomic bomb dropped in Hiroshima
You know that we can't see in the dark
We are unaware of the full extent of the dangers surrounding us
We try and we try and we try
We keep on trying despite the odds
Who waits for the planes to come
Who expects help to arrive when everyone is struggling individually
When everybody's got you on the run
When everyone is trying to escape danger or responsibility
South Pacific carry on
Keep moving forward despite the challenges we face in the South Pacific region
It seems to me that what we're saying
It appears to me that nobody wants to address the pressing issues at hand
Nobody really wants to talk about it
Everyone is avoiding the tough conversation that needs to happen
This is no time to be wondering why
This is not the time to be confused, we need to act fast
I do the best I can do
I give my best effort in everything I do
The human jungle and the global zoo
The world is a chaotic place with human beings and different countries all competing for resources and power
I'll find my way it's a very special way
I'll discover my own path to navigate through this chaotic world
Here come the Hercules
Here come the military planes that are supposed to provide aid
Here come the submarines
Here come the stealthy attack submarines
Sinking south pacific dreams
Destroying the aspirations of the people living in the South Pacific region
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARTIN ROTSEY, PETER GIFFORD, ROBERT HIRST, JAMES MOGINIE, PETER GARRETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind