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.
Kosciuszko
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Darwin down to Alice Springs
Dealers in the clearinghouse
The settlements explode
High up in the homelands
Miners drive across the land
Encounter no resistance
When the people block the road
Older than Kosciuszko
Dry white seasons years ago
Darkness over Charleville
The fires begin to grow
No end to the hostility
Now they want to be somewhere else
No stranger to brutality
Now they'd like to be someone else
Older than Kosciuszko
Driven back to Alice Springs
Endless storm and struggle
Marks the spirit of the age
High up in the homelands
Celebration 'cross the land
Builds up like a cyclone
Now the fires begin to rage
Call off the ultimatum
No don't turn away
Call off the ultimatum until yesterday
Call off the ultimatum
No don't turn away
Bind up the brokenhearted
No don't turn away
Call off the ultimatum until yesterday
The lyrics to Midnight Oil's song Kosciuszko speak about the struggles and injustices faced by Indigenous Australians. The song acknowledges their history and culture, which predates European settlement and the Australian landmark, Mount Kosciuszko. The lyrics mention the violence and mistreatment of Indigenous Australians at the hands of the colonizers, as they were forced off their land and their homes were destroyed. The chorus mentions the ultimatum, which the Indigenous people are given to leave their land so that it could be used for industrial purposes. The song is a call to action, asking people not to turn away from the struggles faced by Indigenous Australians but to stand in solidarity with them.
The song is inspired by the displacement and cultural genocide of the Pintupi people, who were forcibly removed from their land in the Western Desert region of Australia in the 1960s and 1970s. The Pintupi people were one of the last Indigenous Australian communities to be contacted by Europeans, and they had lived a semi-nomadic lifestyle for thousands of years. The lyrics of the song speak about the struggles and injustices faced by Indigenous Australians more broadly but are rooted in the experiences of the Pintupi people.
Line by Line Meaning
Older than Kosciuszko
Referring to the ancient history and Indigenous connections to the land predating Mount Kosciuszko, the highest peak in Australia
Darwin down to Alice Springs
Highlighting the vast distance and geographic range of Australia, from its northernmost city to the central desert
Dealers in the clearinghouse
Describing the exploitation of land and resources by corporations and government, to the detriment of Aboriginal people
The settlements explode
The expansion of towns and cities into traditional lands, resulting in conflict and destruction
High up in the homelands
Speaking of the importance of ancestral lands and spiritual connection to country for Indigenous people
Miners drive across the land
The continued exploitation and extraction of minerals from Indigenous lands, despite protests and blockades
Encounter no resistance
The ease with which non-Indigenous people and industries can access and use Aboriginal lands, due to power imbalance
When the people block the road
Referring to instances of Indigenous people protesting and preventing access to their lands for mining or other activities
Dry white seasons years ago
An allusion to Bruce Chatwin's book about the dispossession and cultural destruction of Indigenous people in the Northern Territory
Darkness over Charleville
Referencing the anger and resentment felt by many Indigenous people towards colonialism and its ongoing effects
The fires begin to grow
A metaphor for the resistance and activism of Indigenous people, sparked by injustices and historical wrongs
No end to the hostility
The ongoing and persistent discrimination, violence and oppression faced by Indigenous people throughout history and today
Now they want to be somewhere else
The feeling of displacement and dislocation experienced by many Indigenous people as a result of being forced off their lands and into cities or settlements
No stranger to brutality
The history of violence and cruelty inflicted upon Indigenous people by colonisers, government and police forces
Now they'd like to be someone else
A reflection on the ways in which activists and advocates for Indigenous rights can experience burnout or personal struggles due to the ongoing trauma and injustices experienced by their communities
Endless storm and struggle
The ongoing fight for justice, recognition of rights and sovereignty by Indigenous people despite overwhelming odds and hostile forces
Marks the spirit of the age
The significance and impact of Indigenous activism and resistance on broader society and political discourse
Celebration 'cross the land
The joy and unity felt by Indigenous people during ceremonies, cultural events and victories achieved through collective action
Builds up like a cyclone
The growing momentum and energy of Indigenous movements, gaining strength and power through solidarity and activism
Call off the ultimatum
A plea to those in power to reconsider and negotiate with Indigenous people, rather than imposing and enforcing destructive policies
No don't turn away
An appeal for empathy and understanding from non-Indigenous people, to recognise the injustices and struggles faced by Indigenous communities
Bind up the brokenhearted
A Biblical reference calling for healing, restoration and justice for Indigenous people, whose lives and cultures have been harmed by colonialism and oppression
Call off the ultimatum until yesterday
Urging for a swift resolution and end to conflicts and injustices, for the sake of Indigenous people and their communities
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES MOGINIE, MARTIN ROTSEY, PETER GARRETT, PETER GIFFORD, ROBERT HIRST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Gaul
Midnight Oil needs to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They're the greatest band nobody knows about beyond their enlightened fans.
David A. Quinn, Sr.
They never be... 😔
Sean
Very true
Master Temple
We in Canada remember.....was taught the Australian alphabet by a Midnight Oil roadie...very hilarious!
Scott Allsebrooke
I was properly schooled about them after I bought 'Screaming in Blue'.
CYCOlogist
I would include The Angels.
Mat Van Rhoon VFX
Best song on the album. I remember listening to this album over and over on a Countrylink train trip from Sydney down to Melbourne. Looking out the window seeing our beautiful country wizz past was phenomenal!
Vagner Silva
The best australian band ever! Hugs from Brazil!
Muttley
I love the clean sound of that acoustic guitar at the start being overtaken by that gritty electric the next moment.
Such a kickarse song.
The Teacher
The Mountain in Australia was named by the Polish explorer Pawel Edmund Strzelecki in 1840, in honour of the Polish-Lithuanian national hero, General Tadeusz Kościuszko, because of its perceived resemblance to the Kościuszko Mound in Kraków.
The Street and Bridge in New York City was named after Polish military leader Tadeusz Kościuszko, who fought alongside the Americans in the American Revolutionary War. Kosciuszko was a skilled engineer with a military education by the time he arrived in the American colonies from Poland in 1776. Offering his services to the revolutionary cause, he masterminded a key British defeat at Saratoga and oversaw the building of military fortifications at West Point.
Rumour has it that the bridge is known to locals as K Bridge thus avoiding any embarrassment meant because of a likely mis-pronuciation.