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.
Profiteers
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down below the crowd is falling, bullets under feet
Don't tell me, don't tell me, hey don't tell me
We're under the beat of a brand-new marching order
Ears to be ground there's a party planned for the new recruits
Hurricane lamps are burning, teargas fills the route, yeah
The lyrics of Midnight Oil's song Profiteers are haunting and paint a vivid picture of a chaotic and oppressive world that has largely fallen apart. The opening lines, "Look up on the ledge, there's a bomber diving on the golden street, Down below the crowd is falling, bullets under feet", are a commentary on the violence and destruction that political extremism can unleash. The "golden street" is likely a metaphor for society's perceived prosperity and affluence, and the "bomber" diving on it represents a metaphor for those who seek to bring down the established order by subversive means.
The following lyrics, "Don't tell me, don't tell me, hey don't tell me, We're under the beat of a brand-new marching order", suggest that the established order has been overthrown, and a new order has taken its place. The use of the term "marching order" indicates that this new order is highly organized and possibly militaristic. This interpretation is reinforced by the reference to "new recruits" and "teargas fills the route" later in the song.
Overall, the lyrics of Profiteers are a powerful commentary on the dangers of political extremism, and the potential consequences of allowing such ideologies to take root within a society. The use of violent and chaotic imagery underscores the message that the song is trying to convey, and makes it a compelling and thought-provoking addition to Midnight Oil's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
Look up on the ledge, there's a bomber diving on the golden street
A chaotic scene is described where a bomber seems to be attacking people on a wealthy street, creating a sense of confusion and alarm.
Down below the crowd is falling, bullets under feet
The people on the street are panicking and trying to escape as gunfire rings out, resulting in injuries and possibly deaths.
Don't tell me, don't tell me, hey don't tell me
The singer is defiant in the face of whatever negative news or developments they might be hearing, preferring to hold onto their hope and determination.
We're under the beat of a brand-new marching order
Despite the chaos and disruption, there is a sense of organization and purpose driving the people involved, suggesting they are part of a larger movement or cause.
Ears to be ground there's a party planned for the new recruits
There is a sense of preparation and anticipation for a new group of people joining the cause or organization, with plans in place to welcome them and get them involved.
Hurricane lamps are burning, teargas fills the route, yeah
The atmosphere is tense and oppressive, with the use of teargas indicating a strong police or governmental response to the situation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDREW JAMES, JAMES MOGINIE, MARTIN ROTSEY, PETER GARRETT, ROBERT HIRST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind