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.
King Of The Mountain
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yellow belly black snake, sleeping on a red rock
Waiting for the stranger to go
Sugar train stops at the crossing, cane cockies cursing below
Bad storm coming, better run to the top of the mountain
Mountain in the shadow of light, rain in the valley below
Well you can say you're Peter, say you're Paul
Blacksmith fires up the bellows, cane cutters burning the load
Workers of the world, run to the top of the mountain
Mountain in the
I can't take my hands from my face, there are some things we can't replace
Mountain in the
Over liquid tarmac wastelands of cactus and heat
Down cobblestone alleyways of washing day sheets
Up ghost prairie mountains of sunset and space
Down the road at a familiar place, across the wilderness
Out further than the bush I will follow you
The song "King Of The Mountain" by Midnight Oil is about the struggles and hardships of the working class people, particularly sugarcane field workers, and their quest for power and recognition. The opening lines describe the harsh and arid landscape, where the singer is pushing his way through the high dry grass and encounters a black snake sleeping on a red rock. The mention of the sugar train stopping at the crossing with cursing cane farmers below illustrates the frustration and struggle of the workers. The impending bad storm is a metaphor for the power struggle and need for action to improve their situation.
The chorus of the song talks about the mountain in the shadow of light, highlighting the contrast between light and dark, the haves and have-nots. The lines "you can say you're Peter, say you're Paul, don't put me up on your bedroom wall, call me the king of the mountain" describe the desire of the workers for recognition and power, but on their own terms and not as a token gesture. The blacksmith firing up the bellows and the cane cutters burning the load signify the hard work and strength of the workers, and the call to "run to the top of the mountain" is a call to action and resistance against oppression.
Overall, "King Of The Mountain" is a powerful protest song that captures the spirit and struggles of the working class people and their quest for recognition and power.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking through the high dry grass, pushing my way through slow
Slowly progressing through difficult circumstances in life.
Yellow belly black snake, sleeping on a red rock
Dangers are present everywhere, even in plain sight.
Waiting for the stranger to go
Waiting for an unknown threat to pass before taking action.
Sugar train stops at the crossing, cane cockies cursing below
The frustration and hardship of working-class jobs.
Bad storm coming, better run to the top of the mountain
Prepare yourself for impending danger or adversity.
Mountain in the shadow of light, rain in the valley below
Contrasting experiences of hope and despair.
Well you can say you're Peter, say you're Paul
Empty claims and false identities.
Don't put me up on your bedroom wall, call me the king of the mountain
I don't want to be idolized or dehumanized, I want to be recognized for my own achievements.
Blacksmith fires up the bellows, cane cutters burning the load
The hardworking people who keep society running.
Workers of the world, run to the top of the mountain
Unite and rise up against oppression.
I can't take my hands from my face, there are some things we can't replace
The irreparable damage that can be caused in life.
Over liquid tarmac wastelands of cactus and heat
Desolate and harsh environments.
Down cobblestone alleyways of washing day sheets
The mundane and repetitive aspects of everyday life.
Up ghost prairie mountains of sunset and space
Experiencing moments of beauty and wonder in life.
Down the road at a familiar place, across the wilderness
Navigating both the familiar and unknown in life.
Out further than the bush I will follow you
I will go the distance for the people and things that matter to me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES MOGINIE, MARTIN ROTSEY, PETER GARRETT, ROBERT HIRST, WAYNE STEVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertnightingale3824
I saw Midnight Oil in Chicago when I was 15 years old (1987) at the Aragon Ballroom and it changed my life. It was a school night, and had no drivers license, but had a friend a year older who was willing to drive into the city. Aboriginal people were on stage playing instruments I have never heard before. Midnight Oil has influenced me dedicate my career to helping improve the environment and the safety of employees in the workplace. Thank you Midnight Oil!
@juliekay3662
I think they opened a hell of a lot of eyes
@rohcool323
And they still are
@rohcool323
I only got into them a month or two ago and I love ‘em
@loisknight3179
@@rohcool323 it's never too late 😊
@caveman4598
God bless you sir from Australia
@Agslions
BY FAR their most underrated song.
@jacobheyen3348
Liar
@cesarbinho
And their best
@vodeankandosii3982
Stars of Warburton.