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.
Stand In Line
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For the people who don't deserve it now
It's a circus we're the clowns as the giant ones disown
Every bit of something we call home
Said it's a pity 'bout the middle class Holden mass
We get a bit to play around with doesn't really matter
They kid us with their dole, kid us with the dope
We're playing the music of the middle-aged queens
Getting fatter and fatter and splitting their jeans
It's all the same, we're out in the cold
The good ones died, the others just got old
Everything's set, everything's fine
You just got to stand in line
Oh everything's set, everything's fine
You just got to stand in line
Getting down, getting down, we have to make it now
Everybody's beaten, everybody's down, oh everybody's down
So goodbye to the creeps who are making it
Goodbye to the let it happen stand
I'm moving out got no doubt they've forgettn twist 'n' shout
They never ever listen to the man
(Moginie/Hirst/Rotsey/Garrett)
The lyrics to Midnight Oil's "Stand In Line" are a scathing critique of society's current state. The opening lines suggest that there is an abundance of wealth in the ground, but it's being wasted on people who don't deserve it. The singer identifies as a part of the circus, relegated to the status of a clown while the "giant ones" (the wealthy) disown their responsibility to care for their home (the planet).
The second verse takes aim at the middle-class, stating that they have just enough money to play around with, but not enough to truly make a difference. The government manipulates the people with the promise of welfare and drugs, but ultimately, there is no hope for anyone other than the privileged. The third verse references music and fashion, with a focus on how things never truly change. The good musicians have died off, and those left behind are just getting older and fatter. The chorus repeats with the sentiment that everything is fine as long as you stand in line, but the verses paint a bleak picture of a society that is unequal and corrupt.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh get down, getting down, so much money in the ground
Expressing frustration that there is a lot of wealth and resources just sitting idle and underground.
For the people who don't deserve it now
For those who have not earned or worked for the wealth and resources that are available.
It's a circus we're the clowns as the giant ones disown
The powerful people in society have abandoned and rejected those who are less fortunate and are making them look foolish for trying to fight against the system.
Every bit of something we call home
All the things that make up our idea of home and country are being taken away from us.
Said it's a pity 'bout the middle class Holden mass
It's unfortunate that middle-class people are struggling to get by and maintain their standard of living.
We get a bit to play around with doesn't really matter
The small amount of resources and leisure activities that are available to the middle class don't make much of a difference in the grand scheme of things.
They kid us with their dole, kid us with the dope
The government tries to pacify the population by giving them welfare and drugs instead of addressing underlying issues and problems.
But generally speaking, nobody's got a hope
Overall, people are feeling hopeless and powerless against the forces that control their lives.
We're playing the music of the middle-aged queens
We're catering to the tastes and preferences of a group of people who are not representative of the wider population.
Getting fatter and fatter and splitting their jeans
This group of people is becoming increasingly complacent and self-indulgent to the point where they are literally tearing at the seams.
It's all the same, we're out in the cold
Despite their efforts to stand out, they are all ultimately suffering and struggling to survive in the same way.
The good ones died, the others just got old
The people who genuinely cared about making a difference have passed away, leaving only those who are content with the status quo and are not interested in rocking the boat.
Everything's set, everything's fine
Society and the government would have us believe that everything is under control and there is nothing to worry about.
You just got to stand in line
Despite the injustices and frustrations, you're expected to fall in line and accept your fate.
Getting down, getting down, we have to make it now
Despite the odds, we need to keep pushing and trying to succeed.
Everybody's beaten, everybody's down, oh everybody's down
Everyone is feeling defeated and broken by the oppressive forces that are impacting their lives.
So goodbye to the creeps who are making it
We're saying farewell to the people who are only looking out for themselves and contributing to the problems we face.
Goodbye to the let it happen stand
We're also saying goodbye to the mindset of just letting things happen and accepting our fate without trying to change it.
I'm moving out got no doubt they've forgettn twist 'n' shout
We're taking action and moving away from the status quo because we feel like our voices are not being heard or respected.
They never ever listen to the man
Those in power never listen to the common people, no matter how much they protest or try to be heard.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES MOGINIE, MARTIN ROTSEY, PETER GARRETT, ROBERT HIRST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind