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.
Love
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The walls are closing in on me tonight
'cause I know this is the end of the beginning of the outbreak of love
The stars come falling down on me tonight
Sharks are coming up to feed
Diver's coming up to breathe
But I'm not in the mood
No I'm not in the mood
(Hirst)
The lyrics of Midnight Oil's song "Outbreak Of Love" suggest a feeling of being trapped and overwhelmed. The first two lines, "The world is crashing down on me tonight / The walls are closing in on me tonight," paint a picture of an individual feeling suffocated and besieged by the world around them. However, amidst this chaos, the singer acknowledges the emergence of a new beginning, represented by "the end of the beginning of the outbreak of love." This phrase suggests that amidst upheaval and strife, the possibility of love still exists and may even act as a beacon of hope.
The following lines, "The stars come falling down on me tonight / Sharks are coming up to feed," continue the idea of chaos and danger. Despite this, the song seems to suggest a certain resilience, as the diver is "coming up to breathe" and move forward, even if the singer is "not in the mood" to do so. The song may be interpreted as a cry for help or recognition of distress, but ultimately, the message remains one of hope and determination to forge ahead, even when the future appears uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
The world is crashing down on me tonight
I am feeling overwhelmed and burdened by the troubles and issues of the world.
The walls are closing in on me tonight
I feel confined and trapped with no escape or way out.
'cause I know this is the end of the beginning of the outbreak of love
I believe that this moment marks the beginning of a time where love and compassion may finally prevail over hate and suffering.
The stars come falling down on me tonight
The world around me is chaotic and unpredictable, as if even the stars are falling from the sky.
Sharks are coming up to feed
Dangerous and ruthless individuals are taking advantage of the situation to benefit themselves at the expense of others.
I believe it's time to move
I feel a sense of urgency to take action and do something to change the current state of affairs.
Diver's coming up to breathe
People who have been struggling and suffocating under the weight of oppression and injustice are finally able to come up for air and assert their rights.
But I'm not in the mood
Despite the signs of hope and progress, I am still disillusioned and unmotivated to get involved and make a difference.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AsinineComment
This is definitely not the song to listen to if you're feeling fragile or emotionally bruised. Rob Hirst's melody is full of, I dunno - heaps of minor chords or something, and Garrett gives Hirst's deceptively vulnerable lyrics a tension beyond what Rob's sweet, high voice might have.
The first verse and chorus are lush but notably refined, and then the first bridge twists you out of that comfort - and again with a key change after the 2nd verse.
Fuck.
It hurts. A lot.
This song gently slices you open, clutches your heart, then wrings it.
"Hirst, who wrote it, said that he wanted the stately, yearning song to portray what happens when people fall suddenly out of love. He meant to write about “day-to-day personal relationships, where everything is rosy, then suddenly it’s abolished.” " (Oct '93 - Mike Boehm interviewing 'Oils drummer, Rob Hirst.)
Similar enough to my situation, that the song is close to unlistenable. 😔
@SaucyWench7
I remember 1993 (when the song was released) was one of the worst years of my life. My dad died, I had broke my engagement I hated the direction of my life, etc. I remember hearing this song on my car radio on "new release day" on the way to a job that I hated, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. The mood, the lyrics, everything. I still have trouble listening to this song without being flooded with an ocean of different emotions. But one thing I learned, nothing bad lasts forever. Thank God.
@melusina3386
Mary Smith
@duncan3998
Sorry about your dad
@fransbuijs808
I hope you got out of that job.
@unperegrino70
Of what year is this song, please?
@niviamendez8818
One of the greatest songs ever from one of the greatest bands in the world!
@vanhouten64
This is my favorite song by any band.
@TripleRPhotographyLLC
This is such a beautiful song. I saw Midnight Oil in Sydney, Australia back in 1979. They were outstanding, even in the beginning.
@guilhermesaraiva4582
One of the most beautiful songs from Midnight Oil.
@arachus
One of he best bands in the world, timeless!!!