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.
Put Down That Weapon
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No place to retire
To another time
The eyes of the world now turn
And if we think about it
And if we talk about it
And if the skies go dark with rain
Put down that weapon or we'll all be gone
You can't hide nowhere with the torchlight on
And it happens to be an emergency
Some things aren't meant to be
Some things don't come for free
Above the waterline
Point the finger, yeah, point the bone
It's the harbor towns
That the grey metal ships call home
And if we think about it
And if we talk about it
And if the seas go boiling black
Can you tell me what you'll do about that?
Put down that weapon or we'll all be gone
I must know something to know it's so wrong
And it happens to be an emergency
Some things aren't meant to be
Some things don't come for free
They keep talking about it
They keep talking about it
They keep talking
They keep talking 'bout, talking
And it happens to be an emergency
Some things aren't meant to be
Some things don't come for free
Put down that weapon or we'll all be gone
I must know something to know it's so wrong
And it happens to be an emergency
Some things aren't meant to be
Some things don't come for free
Put down that weapon or we'll all be gone
You must be crazy if you think you're strong
'Cause it happens to be an emergency
Some things aren't meant to be
And some things don't come for free
"Put Down That Weapon" by Midnight Oil is a stirring protest song that urges people to disarm themselves and end violence. The lyrics describe the devastating impact of war and violence on the environment, pointing out that the eyes of the world are turning towards the destruction. The song also highlights the urgency and severity of the situation by emphasizing that certain things are meant to be that way and other things come with a price.
The song starts by describing life "under the waterline," where there is no place to retire, and the world is turning to another time. These metaphors refer to how the ecological balance is being disrupted by human greed and aggression. The chorus of the song is an appeal to put down weapons and stop the cycle of violence that is causing tremendous damage to the planet. The second verse expands on the first one and brings in a pointed reference to shipbuilding and arms manufacturing, highlighting how it is the "harbor towns" where "the grey metal ships call home." The second chorus underlines the urgency of the message by saying "I must know something to know it's so wrong."
All in all, "Put Down That Weapon" is a powerful call to action to disarm ourselves and end warfare. It is a reminder that our planet is a fragile ecosystem that can't bear the weight of mankind's greed and aggression. The song is meant to increase awareness and inspire people to take action to save our planet and ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Under the waterline
Below the surface of the water, where one cannot easily escape danger.
No place to retire
Nowhere to hide, nowhere to be safe from harm.
To another time
A different era, a different way of life where things were not so dangerous.
The eyes of the world now turn
The attention of the globe has been drawn to the urgent matter at hand.
And if we think about it
If we take time to consider the gravity of the problem.
And if we talk about it
If we discuss it with one another so that we can find solutions together.
And if the skies go dark with rain
If catastrophe strikes and things get worse.
Can you tell me will our freedom remain
Is there any hope that we'll be able to retain our independence in the face of this threat?
Put down that weapon or we'll all be gone
Stop fighting, or there may be catastrophic consequences.
You can't hide nowhere with the torchlight on
It's not possible to escape danger when you're being targeted and everyone can see where you are.
And it happens to be an emergency
This is not just an average problem that can be dealt with casually, it's a life-and-death situation.
Some things aren't meant to be
There are some things that we merely cannot control, and we must face the consequences.
Some things don't come for free
Sometimes we have to pay a heavy price for the mistakes we've made.
Above the waterline
On the surface of the water, where one can see the potential threats that lie ahead.
Point the finger yeah point the bone
Blaming others for the situation won't solve anything, and may only make things worse.
It's the harbour towns
The places where ships and boats are docked are the primary points of interest.
That the grey metal ships call home
The vessels that traverse the seas are typically outfitted with tough and durable materials, as if the ships themselves are responsible for turning the tides of war.
And if we think about it
If we take time to consider the gravity of the problem.
And if we talk about it
If we discuss it with one another so that we can find solutions together.
And if the seas go boiling black
If things get even worse, and the ocean itself begins to boil.
Can you tell me what you'll do about that
If things get worse and worse, what will we be able to do to save ourselves?
Put down that weapon or we'll all be gone
Stop fighting, or you'll destroy us all.
I must know something to know it's so wrong
There is something fundamentally problematic about fighting and violence, and I need to understand it better.
They keep talking about it
Everyone seems to be aware of the problem and talking about it, but nothing is being done to solve it.
You must be crazy if you think you're strong
Fighting and aggression are foolish and futile behaviors that will only lead to disaster in the end.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Martin Rotsey, Peter Gifford, Robert Hirst, James Moginie, Peter Garrett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yannickdeschamps5352
En tant que français
Je hais tout ceux qui s attaque à des innocent femme enfants vieillards
Deux guerres mondiales sa suffit
Tant de morts,de blessés
Des blessures terribles
En 2023 sa continue
Poutine n à rien compris
A quand la paix
Je l espère pour bientôt
@interestingvideos4me
Under the waterline
No place to retire
To another time
The eyes of the world now turn
And if we think about it
And if we talk about it
And if the skies go dark with rain
Can you tell me does our freedom remain?
Put down that weapon or we'll all be gone
You can't hide nowhere with the torchlight on
And it happens to be an emergency
Some things aren't meant to be, some things don't come for free
Above the waterline
Point the finger, yeah point the bone
It's the harbor towns
That the gray metal ships call home
And if we think about it
And if we talk about it
And if the sea go boiling black
Can you tell me what you'll do about that?
Put down that weapon or we'll all be gone
I must know something to know it's so wrong
And it happens to be an emergency
Some things aren't meant to be, some things don't come for free
They keep talking about it
They keep talking about it
They keep talking, they keep talking about
Talking about it
You can't hide away, away, away
And it happens to be an emergency
Some things aren't meant to be, some things don't come for free
Put down that weapon or we'll all be gone
I must know something to know it's so wrong
And it happens to be an emergency
Some things aren't meant to be, some things don't come for free
Put down that weapon or we'll all be gone
You must be crazy if you think you're strong
'Cause it happens to be an emergency
Some things aren't meant to be and some things don't come for free
@summergrace392
I'm betting 90+% of the Oils songs are still relevant today. Legends.
@ykook7000
💯
@user-ym5hd9hs6o
agree
@marcleyaouanc3878
From France. Thank you Midnight Oil. And for 2024, listenning your musiq.
@adriansmith8572
Saw the incredible Oils in Perth September 2022 on their last tour. Brilliant. Thank you Midnight Oil. I'm 60 and have lived your awesome talent for 45 years. Best band ever.
@davidbowman4259
Bingo, amen and touche. One of the best bands ever. Certainly the best ever out of Australia.
@nickjanice6356
Saw The Oils in Paris, same year, one of the best concerts I’ve seen. Check out the set list on set list fm. Just stunning. Saw them supporting The Who in Birmingham in 1982, never heard them before but thought this really good, loved them ever since!!
@loucat2779
Saw them tour with ub40 way back in the early 80's. It was a hot, humid night on Boston Common and Peter had a bucket of water on stage he'd dunk his head in between songs. Even got on top of the speakers so the folks outside the venue could se him dance. Unparalleled live band.
@JustinPearceThoughtsAndPhotos
In 1987 I was a student in South Africa when the country was burning in the middle of an actually state of emergency. This song was part of the soundtrack to those years and has haunted me ever since.
@bashioma-7942
No more bands like this nowadays with a message like this...just thanks my parents, i was 13 when this came out, and daddy was hot on this album...musicians wake up and start again makes fuckung music or computer will eat you. Love you midnight oil for everything you are. Cheers