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.
Section 5
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll take it to the tip yard
Well I'll leave it as a metal wreck
For cats to sleep
Then I'll catch the bus to Bondi
Swim the beach and wonder
Who can wear the fashion when
I'm just part of this play
I'm making an inroad on the one and only
I'm just part of this play
I've finally decided I'm here to stay
Then I'll stop the small talk
Then I'll stop the games
I'll show them that the plans
I've made aren't wrong, what's wrong?
Then I'll shop at New World
Fill it up with real toys
Initiate a face-lift for the captains to corrupt
(Rotsey/Hirst/Garrett/Moginie)
The lyrics to Midnight Oil's song Section 5 depict a sense of rebellion and frustration with societal norms. The singer of the song seems to have grown tired of conforming to the expectations of those around them, and instead seeks to make their own mark on the world. The first verse describes the abandonment of a car, which will now become a home for cats, essentially stating that the singer is moving on from material possessions and instead focusing on what is truly important. The second verse describes the singer's trip to Bondi beach, where they observe the fashion trends and ponder the shallow nature of society.
The chorus of the song is where the singer truly asserts their defiance, stating that they are "just part of this play" and are making their own "inroad" on the world. They have "finally decided [they're] here to stay" and no longer wish to play the games of those around them. In the final verse, the singer describes their plans to shop at New World and "fill it up with real toys," essentially stating that they will no longer take part in the corrupt capitalist system, but rather create their own world where they can live on their own terms.
Overall, Section 5 is a powerful statement on the importance of not conforming to societal norms and carving out one's own path in life. The lyrics are filled with a sense of rebellion and empowerment, inspiring listeners to take control of their own lives and create the world they want to see.
Line by Line Meaning
Push start that car tomorrow
I will not let the car go to waste, I will use it for a purpose.
I'll take it to the tip yard
I will dispose of the car properly at the junkyard.
Well I'll leave it as a metal wreck
I will not repair the car, instead leaving it to become a wreck.
For cats to sleep
Cats will use the wreck as a sleeping place.
Then I'll catch the bus to Bondi
After disposing of the car, I will take the bus to Bondi beach.
Swim the beach and wonder
I will swim and contemplate life at the beach.
Who can wear the fashion when
It is too hot to wear fashionable clothing.
The place is oh so hot
The weather is extremely hot at Bondi beach.
I'm just part of this play
I am just one player in the game of life.
I'm making an inroad on the one and only
I am making progress towards achieving my ultimate goal.
I've finally decided I'm here to stay
I have made the decision to stay committed to my goals.
Then I'll stop the small talk
I will no longer engage in meaningless conversation.
Then I'll stop the games
I will no longer play mind games with others.
I'll show them that the plans
I will demonstrate that my plans are valid and worthwhile.
I've made aren't wrong, what's wrong?
I am confident in my plans and question what could go wrong.
Then I'll shop at New World
I will shop at the New World store.
Fill it up with real toys
I will fill my shopping cart with genuine items.
Initiate a face-lift for the captains to corrupt
I will begin a project to improve something that those in power will likely take advantage of.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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