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.
My Country
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was it just a giant leap of logic
Was it the time of year, that makes a state of fear
Methods were the motives for the action
And did I hear you say
My country right or wrong
Did you breach your faith
Women, there were children at the shelter
Now who can stop the hail
When human senses fail
There was never any warning, no escape
Did I hear you say
My country right or wrong
My country oh so strong
My country going wrong
My country right or wrong
I hear you say the truth must take a beating
The flag a camouflage for your deceiving
I know, yes I know
It's written on your soul
I know, we all make mistakes
This is not a case of blurred vision
It's a case of black holes, pocket holes, soul holes
And did I hear you say...
(Hirst)
The lyrics of the song "My Country" by Midnight Oil are an intense critique of the Australian government's policies and actions. The lyrics interrogate how the government's use of fear-mongering and manipulation techniques is leading to the erasure of the country's moral compass. The song begins with the questions: "Was it just a dream, were you so confused? Was it just a giant leap of logic? Was it the time of year, that makes a state of fear? Methods were the motives for the action." These questions are an expression of the singer's dismay and bewilderment at the government's actions. The repetition of the phrase "my country right or wrong" in the chorus highlights the blind loyalty that the government's propaganda has instilled in the people of Australia.
In the second verse, the lyrics describe the government's inhumane treatment of refugees, as evidenced by the words "Women, there were children at the shelter. Now who can stop the hail, when human senses fail. There was never any warning, no escape." The plaintive tone of the lyrics emphasizes the victims' suffering and highlights the urgency of the situation. The bridge of the song speaks of the importance of truth and the danger of propaganda: "I hear you say the truth must take a beating. The flag a camouflage for your deceiving. I know, yes I know it's written on your soul. I know we all make mistakes." The lyrics suggest that Australia should confront the injustices it has committed in the hope of creating a more just and compassionate society.
Line by Line Meaning
Was it just a dream, were you so confused
Perhaps you were not sure of what you were doing and it all seemed like a confusing dream to you.
Was it just a giant leap of logic
Your action might have seemed logical at the moment, but it was more like a giant leap.
Was it the time of year, that makes a state of fear
Perhaps the time of the year induced a state of fear in you and that might have led to your action.
Methods were the motives for the action
It seems that you were more motivated by the methods you chose to employ rather than your true motives.
And did I hear you say
My country right or wrong
Did you really say that no matter what the country does, it is always right?
Did you save your face
Did you act in a way that helped maintain your reputation even if that meant being dishonest or immoral.
Did you breach your faith
Did you act in a way that went against your own beliefs or principles?
Women, there were children at the shelter
Women and children were the ones who had to suffer due to the action that you took.
Now who can stop the hail
When human senses fail
There was never any warning, no escape
When things go wrong due to our actions, it can be very difficult to undo the damage or stop the consequences.
My country oh so strong
My country going wrong
Your country might seem proud and strong, but it could still be making wrong decisions.
I hear you say the truth must take a beating
The flag a camouflage for your deceiving
It seems that you are willing to suppress the truth and use the flag to hide your dishonesty.
I know, yes I know
It's written on your soul
I can tell that your actions and motives are a reflection of your innermost self.
I know, we all make mistakes
I understand that everyone makes mistakes, but we should try to learn from them and avoid repeating them.
This is not a case of blurred vision
It's a case of black holes, pocket holes, soul holes
This is not just a matter of not seeing things clearly, it's more of a deeper issue that goes to the soul.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES MOGINIE, MARTIN ROTSEY, PETER GARRETT, ROBERT HIRST, WAYNE STEVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
louremus
Great lyrics. Job well done by this talented band so underrated
Was it just a dream, were you so confused
Was it just a giant leap of logic
Was it the time of year
That makes a state of fear
Methods, were their motives for the action
And did I hear you say
My country right or wrong
Did you save your face
Did you breach your faith
Women, there were children at the shelter
Now who can stop the hail
When human senses fail
There was never any warning, no escape
And did I hear you say
My country right or wrong
My country oh so strong
My country right or wrong
My country right or wrong
My country going wrong
My country right or wrong
I hear you say the truth must take a beating
The flag a camouflage for your deceiving
Cause I know, (I know) I know, it's written on your soul
I know we all make mistakes
This is not a case of blurred vision, it's a case of black holes, pocket
Holes, soul holes
And did I hear you say
My country right or wrong
My country oh so strong
My country right or wrong
My country right or wrong
My country going wrong
My country right or wrong
My country, my country, my country
Alan Strom
41 years ago I saw Midnight Oil at The Royal Antler Narrabeen. I have to thank the boys from The Strand house at Dee Why for taking me to the gig.
It was late 1979, a warm night, people pouring jugs of iced water on each other and Peter Garrett's head, steam coming from the Lead Singer's bald cranium.
Their music and especially their lyrics have made THE OILS one of the most important Rock bands in history.
This new song ' Gadigal Land' is an instant Oils Classic.
Words cannot describe how much I love this track.
Sydney Radio station MMM played it every hour yesterday, so credit to them for that.
Before they played it the first time I was thinking " oh, I hope it's good "
I loved it from the opening chords, the thumping Drums, the throbbing Bass and Garrett's vocals delivering every word that is punching the Colonial invaders in the face.
Well done boys, this is excellent!
Carlos Roberto Pena
Still being one of the most important bands of the world!!! I love Midnight Oil!!!!
Ngawai Andrews
I've seen them live a few times never disappointed 100% ENERGY
Leila #postinglessbecauseofschool 😭
THE WORLD NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO SAY MIDNIGHT OIL!!! DONT EVER STOP MAKING MUSIC!!! PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING IS WRONG!!! THERE ARE 2 TYPES OF EVIL PEOPLE, PEOPLE WHO DO EVIL THINGS, AND PEOPLE WHO SEE EVIL THINGS BEING DONE AND DONT TRY TO STOP IT. PLEASE NEVER STOP MAKING MUSIC!!!!
Veramaia Luz
Que maravilhosa a música! os caras são muito bons
Alessandro Oliveira
Midnight... Quanto mais escuto, mais gosto, mais descubro. Banda 10! Fodaaaaa ;-)
Sidney Cavalcante
Alessandro Oliveira assino em baixo!!!
Fernando Moreira
E só descobriu depois de tanto tempo, mas não importa.
O importante é que você está aqui, curtindo como eu.
Viva as bandas das décadas de 70, 80 e 90
Luiza M
Amooooooo!!! 😍
José Sinésio Rodrigues
Excelente!!!!
Carvalho Silva
Excelente banda, uma das minhas favoritas.