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.
Somebody
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Breaking me down, desperate voices
Breaking me down, phone is blistering
Breaking me down, death by listening
Somebody's out there, Somebody's waiting
Somebody's trying to tell me something
Somebody's trying to talk to me
Cracking me up, silence threatening
Cracking me up, storm is deafening
Cracking me up, pressure brought to bear
Cracking me up, now I'm getting there
The lyrics to Midnight Oil's song 'Somebody' evokes the idea of someone being overwhelmed and pushed to the brink by external forces. The repetition of "breaking me down" and "cracking me up" creates a feeling of desperation and hopelessness. The lyrics are a commentary on the constant bombardment of noise and information in modern society which can be overwhelming and isolating. The idea of "death by listening" suggests that the constant noise and stimuli can be detrimental to our mental health.
The chorus of the song, "Somebody's out there, Somebody's waiting, Somebody's trying to tell me something, Somebody's trying to talk to me", contrasts with the verses, hinting at the possibility of hope and connection. The repetition of "Somebody" creates a sense of urgency and a need for human connection. Perhaps the song is a call to action for people to pay attention to those around them who may be struggling and in need of help.
Line by Line Meaning
Breaking me down, lunatic noises
I am being mentally overwhelmed by chaotic and nonsensical sounds.
Breaking me down, desperate voices
I am being emotionally drained by the anguished cries of those around me.
Breaking me down, phone is blistering
My phone is constantly ringing and causing me stress and anxiety.
Breaking me down, death by listening
The constant barrage of noise and communication is causing me to feel like I am slowly dying inside.
Somebody's out there, Somebody's waiting
There is someone in the world who needs me or wants to communicate with me.
Somebody's trying to tell me something
Someone is attempting to convey a message or information to me.
Somebody's trying to talk to me
There is someone who wants to have a conversation with me.
Cracking me up, silence threatening
The oppressive silence is causing me to feel overwhelmed and on the brink of insanity.
Cracking me up, storm is deafening
The chaos and noise of the world outside is becoming so loud that it is causing me to feel like I am losing my mind.
Cracking me up, pressure brought to bear
The weight of expectations and responsibilities is becoming too much to bear.
Cracking me up, now I'm getting there
I am slowly losing my grip on reality and my stability is slipping away.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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