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.
Surf's Up Tonight
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When it blows over the sea
The moon's sitting high
Waves will rise
Water shapes
Waves will take you, take you there
Surf's up tonight
Summers on hold
You've gotta move now
Get inside
Take that dive
Get inside today
Surf's up tonight
Now I was lonely
And you were too
I met you down at the waterline
Now there's something we can do
Now there's something left to do
Oh yeah
Surf's up tonight
Wherever you are
When you're coming over land
There's a place where you can throw it away
There's a place you can forget
You get wet, it's free
You get high, you're alive
Surf's up tonight
Come on up tonight
Surf's up tonight
The lyrics of Midnight Oil's "Surf's Up Tonight" celebrate the thrill of surfing and the liberating feeling it brings. The song seems to be about seizing the moment, leaving behind whatever troubles you have and embracing the freedom and excitement of the waves. The song's opening lines, "Wherever the wind blows / When it blows over the sea / The moon's sitting high / Waves will rise / Water shapes," sets the tone for the rest of the song, indicating that the surfing experience is influenced by different natural forces - wind, moon, and water - coming together.
The song also seems to encourage the listener to act quickly, to take advantage of the opportunities that life presents us with. The lines, "Summers on hold / It will go running away / You've gotta move now / Get inside," suggest that the moment to enjoy the waves and the freedom that comes with it is limited, and the listener must act quickly to experience it. The chorus, "Surf's up tonight," reinforces this sense of urgency, telling us that the perfect conditions for surfing are here, and we must seize the moment.
The lyrics' synergy with Peter Garrett's distinctively passionate delivery perfectly captures the spirit that comes with a visceral experience like surfing - the rush and excitement of the waves that can wash away all the worries, leaving behind the pure joy of being alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Wherever the wind blows
No matter where life may take you
When it blows over the sea
When life takes you to new, uncharted territories
The moon's sitting high
The night is perfect for surfing
Waves will rise
The waves will become bigger as the tide comes in
Water shapes
The water is a powerful force, constantly creating and changing the landscape
Waves will take you, take you there
The waves can carry you to new destinations
Surf's up tonight
The conditions are perfect for surfing
Summers on hold
Even though it's not summer, the waves are still good
It will go running away
Don't take the conditions for granted, they won't last forever
You've gotta move now
Take advantage of the good conditions while they last
Get inside
Get into the water and start surfing
Take that dive
Be daring and take risks
Get inside today
Don't wait, start surfing now
Now I was lonely
The singer was once alone
And you were too
The person being sung to was once alone as well
I met you down at the waterline
The two people met while surfing
Now there's something we can do
Surfing together has given them an activity to bond over
Now there's something left to do
Surfing together has given them a sense of purpose
Oh yeah
An expression of excitement and anticipation
Wherever you are
No matter where life has taken you
When you're coming over land
Even if you're not near the coast
There's a place where you can throw it away
Surfing can be a release from stress and problems
There's a place you can forget
Surfing can make you forget about your worries
You get wet, it's free
Surfing is an exhilarating and natural experience
You get high, you're alive
Surfing can give you a natural high, and make you feel alive
Surf's up tonight
The conditions are perfect for surfing, and it's a great night for it
Come on up tonight
Join in on the surfing tonight
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES MOGINIE, MARTIN ROTSEY, PETER GARRETT, ROBERT HIRST, WAYNE STEVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Silmara Castro
Música que relaxa a mente e a alma 🥰
James Norris
I grew up listing to the oils on radio 2JJ in Sydney. Also got to see some live pub performances, before they were big. Their music has mirrored my own journey through life for nearly 40 years and reflected my own opinions and beliefs on political & social issues. I like this song because it is just so laid back. It's a long way from their raw powerful pub rock in the late 70's, and the electrifying, social and politically charged songs of the 80's & 90's. These blokes are a once in a lifetime music phenomenon and I couldn't imagine what my life would have been without them. Oils forever!!
Vanidadintranscendente
Oils Foerver !!!
MrAussiePrice
You’d also be a Celibate Rifles ( often referred as Midnight Oils little brothers) fan too, by the sounds of that.
karla ribeiro
Amooooo 😍
Michael Carvalho Silva
Canção maravilhosa do Midnight Oil que sempre me faz lembrar da belíssima e estonteantemente sensual e exuberante atriz americana de Hollywood Bernadette Peters que foi literalmente a Elizabeth Perkins do anos setenta de tão linda e encantadora que ela era feito a própria Elizabeth também.❤
Paul Knoff
Such an underrated song!
Skill Me Up
Always liked this song, something raw and earthy about it. Really captures the energy in some way of the Australian surf culture, sitting back after coming back in and time for one last set.
Wulf Caramel
This is part of my youth with so much affection that I will proudly show it to my children, as if it were a family heirloom.
Tony Clarke
I loved this song so much when it came out. It showed a slightly, more relaxed side of the Oils. Don't get me wrong- I love the Oils sense of purpose and their passion for the environment and indigenous rights, but this- its something else.. Thanks for sharing.