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.
Power And The Passion
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Going backward, once in a while
Moving ahead, falling behind
What do you believe, what do you believe
What do you believe is true
Nothing they say makes a difference this way
Nothing they say will do
At least you won't have time to be bored
Oh the power and the passion, oh the temper of the time
Oh the power and the passion
Sometimes you've got to take the hardest line
Sun burnt faces around, with skin so brown
Smiling zinc cream and crowds, Sundays the beach never a cloud
Breathing eucalypti, pushing panel vans
Stuff and munch junk food
Laughing at the truth, 'cause Gough was tough till he hit the rough
Uncle Sam and John were quite enough
Too much of sunshine too much of sky
It's enough to make you want to cry
Oh the power
I see buildings, clothing the sky, in paradise
Sydney, nights are warm
Daytime telly, blue rinse dawn
Dad's so bad he lives in the pub, it's a underarms and football clubs
Flat chat, Pine Gap, in every home a Big Mac
And no one goes outback, that's that
You take what you get and get what you please
It's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees
Oh the power
and the passion is a song by the Australian rock band, Midnight Oil, which was released in 1983. This song is a powerful call to action, urging people to wake up and take control of their lives in order to effect positive change in their communities. The opening lines of the song are particularly poignant, as they speak of people who are "wasting away in paradise," living in a world that seems idyllic on the surface but is full of contradictions and problems when examined more closely.
The lyrics go on to describe people who are "moving ahead, falling behind," struggling to keep up with the changing times and failing to find meaningful answers to the challenges they face. Despite the many distractions and temptations in their world, the singer urges listeners to "take all the trouble that you can afford" and to use their time and energy to make a difference.
Line by Line Meaning
People, wasting away in paradise
The citizens of the country are becoming idle and unproductive, wasting away their lives in a supposedly idyllic place.
Going backward, once in a while
Even though they are in paradise, the country seems to be regressing and regressing in some areas from time to time.
Moving ahead, falling behind
With some aspects of the nation going forward, there are other vital parts where it is lagging behind.
What do you believe, what do you believe
What is your belief system and values that guide you?
What do you believe is true
What are the realities that you deem to be factual and relevant?
Nothing they say makes a difference this way
The voices of the leaders and influential people of society are falling on deaf ears and having no positive impact.
Nothing they say will do
Their words and promises are empty and incapable of bringing the required change.
Take all the trouble that you can afford
You should try to maximize your potential and bear any burden that you have the capacity to.
At least you won't have time to be bored
You are certain to remain engaged when you occupy yourself with difficult or challenging tasks.
Oh the power and the passion, oh the temper of the time
The country is experiencing a lot of power, passion, and accompanied by the prevailing mood of the present time.
Oh the power and the passion
The overwhelming emotions, energy, and influence in the country.
Sometimes you've got to take the hardest line
Occasionally, you must practice strong and resolute decision-making, even if it's uncomfortable.
Sun burnt faces around, with skin so brown
The citizens of the country, exposed to a lot of sunshine, have tanned skin.
Smiling zinc cream and crowds, Sundays the beach never a cloud
Individuals are wearing sunscreen and coming together for fun communal activities, like the beach, even when there's no shade to be found.
Breathing eucalypti, pushing panel vans
The scent of eucalyptus accompanied by the mode of transportation popular with many.
Stuff and munch junk food
Individuals are consuming unhealthy and unwholesome types of food.
Laughing at the truth, 'cause Gough was tough till he hit the rough
People are ridiculing facts and reality, the former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam was a firm leader, but he ultimately suffered a downfall.
Uncle Sam and John were quite enough
The US and the Prime Minister of Australia at the time were two powerful leaders that the country had to deal with.
Too much of sunshine too much of sky
The abundance of sunshine and wide-open skies in the country can be a little overwhelming.
It's enough to make you want to cry
It has the potential to be emotionally overwhelming and lead to sadness.
I see buildings, clothing the sky, in paradise
There are skyscrapers that are transforming the paradise landscape.
Sydney, nights are warm
Even in the nighttime, the temperature in Sydney is high, leading to warm nights.
Daytime telly, blue rinse dawn
People have access to television shows throughout the day, leading to a blue rinse dawn.
Dad's so bad he lives in the pub, it's a underarms and football clubs
The fathers' reputation is so terrible that he prefers to stay in the pubs, which are the equivalent of underarms of a city, and football clubs.
Flat chat, Pine Gap, in every home a Big Mac
The citizens are always busy with a lot on their plate, while Pine Gap is a reference to a secretive US intelligence facility located in central Australia. The presence of McDonald’s restaurant chain in every household.
And no one goes outback, that's that
There's no real interest in exploring the more remote and wild places of the country.
You take what you get and get what you please
Make the most out of whatever is available to you and take advantage of the opportunities that come your way.
It's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees
It’s better to live with pride and self-respect by taking a stand, rather than being submissive and humiliated.
Oh the power
The emotion, energy, and influence currently in the country.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES MOGINIE, MARTIN ROTSEY, PETER GARRETT, PETER GIFFORD, ROBERT HIRST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind