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.
Pictures
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't want to be a member of a species that's deceasing
Keep on making those promises that they aren't keeping
Oh I was a talking to the people next door
Said they don't want to die in a nuclear war
Now we went walking down the old north road
We got a common cause we got a heavy heavy load
Watching pictures of the world
Watching pictures as they pass me by
Don't stop at that light
Don't go out at night
My artificial heart
Expensive spare parts
I've been a sailor on the sea I've been a flier in the air
I've seen a whole lot of bleeding hearts out there
They don't talk so much I tell you they still care
They can't go on living like this they can't go on
Don't sit around in silence you don't need a license
It's moving in a hurry there's no need to worry
We're really going to change it the critical mass approaches
I can almost hear it
The first verse of Midnight Oil's "Pictures" seems to express a desire for clarity and truth in a world that seems to be full of deception and broken promises. The singer wants to see the "clear light" and not be part of a "species that's deceasing" (a possible reference to humanity slowly dying out due to its own actions). The second verse takes on a more political angle as the singer talks to their neighbors about not wanting to die in a nuclear war. The sense of urgency and concern is underscored by the line "we got a common cause we got a heavy heavy load." The chorus seems to be a warning of sorts, urging the listener to be wary of the world around them and to not take unnecessary risks. The final verse takes a somewhat hopeful turn, expressing the belief that people still care and want to make a change, and that a critical mass of motivated individuals is approaching.
Line by Line Meaning
I just want to see that clear clear light
The singer wants clarity and understanding in their life.
Don't want to be a member of a species that's deceasing
The singer is worried about the decline of humanity and does not want to be part of it.
Keep on making those promises that they aren't keeping
Politicians make promises that they don't keep, and it's frustrating to the singer.
Oh I was a talking to the people next door
The artist is communicating with others in their community.
Said they don't want to die in a nuclear war
The artist's neighbors are concerned about nuclear war.
Now we went walking down the old north road
The singer and others are going on a journey towards a common goal.
We got a common cause we got a heavy heavy load
The singer and their companions are committed to a significant cause.
Watching pictures of the world
The artist is observing the state of the world.
Watching pictures as they pass me by
The world is changing quickly, and the artist is struggling to keep up.
Don't stop at that light
The artist is urging their companion to keep moving forward towards their goal.
Don't go out at night
The singer is warning against potential danger or darkness.
My artificial heart
The artist is referring to the artificiality of modern society.
Expensive spare parts
The problems in society require significant resources and investment to fix.
I've been a sailor on the sea I've been a flier in the air
The singer has lived a varied life with different experiences.
I've seen a whole lot of bleeding hearts out there
The singer has observed many people with good intentions but little action.
They don't talk so much I tell you they still care
People who are quiet can still be passionate and care deeply.
They can't go on living like this they can't go on
The current state of the world is unsustainable, and change is needed.
Don't sit around in silence you don't need a license
People need to speak up and take action without waiting for permission.
It's moving in a hurry there's no need to worry
Change is happening quickly, and while it may be a cause for concern, it is necessary.
We're really going to change it the critical mass approaches
The artist and their companions are determined to make a significant difference in the world.
I can almost hear it
The artist can sense that change is imminent.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN MOLKO, MARTIN BUTTRICH, TIMO MAAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
canonegro666
These guys will always be music gods!
Lily
When I was in primary school. I would take my Mums videos cds, look for this song and play it on repeat until I was sad or I woke the house hold up. Music is the best way to reach anyone ❤ thanks midnight oil for everything you’ve done. R.i.p Bones ❤️
Rubén Martínez Hernández
Great song, great message. We must protect the planet.
Astrostevo
Thanks for putting this online. Taken me awhile to find it from a vague memory. Great song, great visuals, great quote.
Jason Barbush
i felt bad when a carried a bug to another place. that's how sensitive one can be when it comes to love for wildlife. amazing.
Lincoln Fleming
Midnight Oil is the best political band out there.
Jason Barbush
'not about politics it's about poetry and peace
Astrostevo
Love this song and clip. Thankyou.
Paloma Correa
Fodão!
Astrostevo
This still resonates powerfully today - even louder in fact given Human Induced Rapid Global Overheating. Wonder if the current stats are still as grim or worse?