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.
Poets & Slaves
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Working on the bones in the dry old creek bed
Mist on the old river bend yellow box hangs like it's dead
The emerald silo is rusting from the inside.
You want to run like the wind you'll never come here again
You want a world you can save so c'mon you poets and slaves.
The dwarf and the fat man head out for beer
There is no lion that roars to one can stand on the horse
Tomorrow is a no show the fortune teller cries.
You want to go down in flames you're gonna crash like the waves
You can't remember your name so come on you poets and slaves.
We got everything we need sugar and beef
We got some good ideas
We got the steering wheels and rolling stock too
Clouds came down low on the corn
Meat ants are gathering like storms
Somewhere in the quiet wild darkness a crocodile cries.
You gotta you gotta you gotta
C'mon you poets and slaves.
You got to arrest the decay you're sinking down in the bay
You can't remember your name c'mon you poets and slaves.
You've got to count what you've made
You're gonna pass like the days
Stop time and head for the stage.
And c'mon you poets and slaves
C'mon you poets and slaves.
The lyrics of Midnight Oil's "Poets and Slaves" capture a desolate, post-industrial landscape that is inhospitable, yet at the same time filled with a strange kind of beauty. The mechanical sun works away, relentless in its toil, as if trying to tame a landscape that refuses to be tamed. The rusting emerald silo can be interpreted as a symbol of the decay that has set in - both physically and metaphorically - as the mechanical world takes over the natural environment. The circus that rolls into town brings with it a sense of excitement and wonder, yet there is a sadness to the proceedings as well, as we realize that the performers are trapped in a cycle of endless performances, unable to break free.
The refrain of "Poets and Slaves" invites listeners to join in - both poets and slaves - as though acknowledging that we are all caught up in this strange world that we have created. The song hints at a sense of unease, a feeling that we are sinking deeper into this mechanized, dehumanized world, and that we need some kind of voice to break the spell.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes the mechanical sun
The day has begun with machines taking over the natural world.
Working on the bones in the dry old creek bed
Machines are disrupting the environment and destroying the natural beauty of the world.
Mist on the old river bend yellow box hangs like it's dead
Nature is distressed and dying due to human interference.
The emerald silo is rusting from the inside.
Even man-made structures are corroding and decaying from within.
You want to run like the wind you'll never come here again
The world is changing for the worse and those who want to escape to a better place won't find it here.
You want a world you can save so c'mon you poets and slaves.
It's up to the artists and workers to create a better world and fight against the destruction of nature.
Circus olympia pulls into town
Even entertainment is a disruption to the natural world.
The dwarf and the fat man head out for beer
People prioritize drinking and entertainment over caring for the environment.
There is no lion that roars to one can stand on the horse
The world is losing its natural beauty, and there is no longer an opportunity for people to stand out.
Tomorrow is a no show the fortune teller cries.
The future looks bleak and there is little hope for improvement.
You want to go down in flames you're gonna crash like the waves
Those who ignore the warning signs and continue to destroy the environment are going to suffer the consequences.
You can't remember your name so come on you poets and slaves.
People have become disconnected from the natural world and need to re-connect and create positive change.
We got everything we need sugar and beef
Society values material wealth and consumption over the environment.
We got some good ideas
There are ways to make the world a better place, but they are not being implemented.
We got the steering wheels and rolling stock too
The desire for progress and technological advancement has taken priority over protecting nature.
Clouds came down low on the corn
Nature is still beautiful and powerful, but also fragile.
Meat ants are gathering like storms
Nature is changing and different species are adapting and surviving.
Somewhere in the quiet wild darkness a crocodile cries.
Even in the midst of destruction and chaos, nature still exists and cries out for help.
You gotta you gotta you gotta
There is urgency in the need to fight against environmental destruction.
C'mon you poets and slaves.
It's up to the artists and workers to create a better world and prevent the total destruction of nature.
You got to arrest the decay you're sinking down in the bay
It's necessary to stop the destruction of the environment or else we will be engulfed in the consequences.
You can't remember your name c'mon you poets and slaves.
Disconnected from nature, we are losing touch with our true identity.
You've got to count what you've made
We need to assess our impact on the environment and take responsibility for our actions.
You're gonna pass like the days
Humans and their creations are temporary, while nature is a constant force.
Stop time and head for the stage.
It's up to us to put on a show of positive change and work towards creating a sustainable future.
And c'mon you poets and slaves
Artists and workers must collaborate to create real change.
C'mon you poets and slaves.
It's up to us to make a difference and save our dying world.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind