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.
U.S. Forces
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bombs and trenches all in rows, bombs and threats still ask for more
Divided world the CIA, who controls the issue
You leave us with no time to talk, you can write your assessment
Sing me songs of no denying, seems to me too many trying
Waiting for the next big thing
Now market movements call the shots, business deals in parking lots
Waiting for the meat of tomorrow
Sing me songs
Everyone is too stoned to start emission
People too scared to go to prison
We're unable to make decision
Political party line don't cross that floor
Lt. Ron Hubbard can't save your life
Superboy takes a plutonium wife
In the shadow of Ban The Bomb we live
Sing me songs
The lyrics of Midnight Oil's song U.S. Forces criticize the power and control that the United States had over the world during the Cold War. The song begins by describing how even a simple nod from the U.S. Forces can be a setback for a country, revealing the influence the U.S. had on international affairs. The lyrics go on to describe the devastation and destruction of war, with bombs and trenches all in rows and bombs and threats still asking for more. The song calls out the CIA and questions who truly controlled the issue, as the world was divided during this time into two opposing ideologies.
The lyrics also criticize the lack of communication and diplomacy between nations and notes that the U.S. leaves no time to talk, opting instead to write assessments. The song pleads for songs of no denying, for people to recognize the issues and come together to effect change. But in a world where market movements were now calling the shots and business deals were made in parking lots, people were left waiting for the meat of tomorrow.
The song ends by emphasizing the helplessness and lack of agency felt by people, with everyone too stoned to start emission, too scared to go to prison, and unable to make decisions. The political party line had become so strong and divisive that people refused to cross the floor, making it difficult to effect meaningful change. The song alludes to the desperation felt by people during this time, with references to Lt. Ron Hubbard and Superboy, both fictional characters that symbolize a search for a hero or savior in a time of uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
US Forces give the nod, it's a setback for your country
American military forces are giving the approval to undertake a move that is disadvantageous to your nation.
Bombs and trenches all in rows, bombs and threats still ask for more
The presence of explosives and fortifications in an organized manner signifies an ongoing conflict that is not willing to cease despite already achieving destruction.
Divided world the CIA, who controls the issue
The historically and culturally divided world is engineered to serve the interests of the Central Intelligence Agency or any shadowy organization that controls the governance.
You leave us with no time to talk, you can write your assessment
There is a lack of time given to diplomatic discussions or negotiations to address any contentious issue, leaving written evaluations as the only alternative.
Sing me songs of no denying, seems to me too many trying
Please sing a song of unwavering truth, but it appears that people remain in constant pursuit of the knowledge of the absolute.
Waiting for the next big thing
Anticipating the arrival of a key event or development that will have a considerable impact on society.
Will you know it when you see it, high risk children dogs of war
Will you be able to recognize and distinguish the high-risk individuals who will be the ones propelling war forward?
Now market movements call the shots, business deals in parking lots
The decision-making in the society now depends on market fluctuations while business transactions take place in places meant for parking vehicles.
Waiting for the meat of tomorrow
In anticipation for what the next day will bring forth, that is, what the future holds.
Everyone is too stoned to start emission
The population is too inert and distracted to initiate a discussion, emit a thought, or generate an idea.
People too scared to go to prison
Individuals are hesitant to do anything that may result in their prosecution and imprisonment.
We're unable to make decision
A lack of consensus or clear thinking prevents a resolution or decision from being made.
Political party line don't cross that floor
The voices of elected representatives are regimented along party lines and do not breach the border that separates their respective political ideologies.
Lt. Ron Hubbard can't save your life
No person or leader is capable of providing a savior, especially when it concerns any mortal existence.
Superboy takes a plutonium wife
As the superhero finds love in a radioactive spouse, a recurrence of the obsession with nuclear power emerges.
In the shadow of Ban The Bomb we live
The ghost of the notion to prohibit nuclear weapon development, testing or use during the Cold War era still looms large upon us today.
Sing me songs
The request to sing another song underscores the importance of music or how it may be our only source of solace during difficult times.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@charlierp
Does anyone get the historical references in this song?
US Forces give the NOD - Heroin.
Heroin became popular in Australia during the Vietnam war when American troops were stationed in Australia and was smuggled into the country via crime syndicates in collaboration with the CIA.
"Who controls the issue?" The CIA.
Business deals in parking lots. Waiting for the meat of tomorrow.
Brilliant poets, Midnight Oil.
@alanstrom2221
41 years ago I saw Midnight Oil at The Royal Antler Narrabeen. I have to thank the boys from The Strand house at Dee Why for taking me to the gig.
It was late 1979, a warm night, people pouring jugs of iced water on each other and Peter Garrett's head, steam coming from the Lead Singer's bald cranium.
Their music and especially their lyrics have made THE OILS one of the most important Rock bands in history.
This new song ' Gadigal Land' is an instant Oils Classic.
Words cannot describe how much I love this track.
Sydney Radio station MMM played it every hour yesterday, so credit to them for that.
Before they played it the first time I was thinking " oh, I hope it's good "
I loved it from the opening chords, the thumping Drums, the throbbing Bass and Garrett's vocals delivering every word that is punching the Colonial invaders in the face.
Well done boys, this is excellent!
@Tanishka101
He came to my school when I was a kid back in the 80’s to teach us about the Indigenous Australians and environmental issues/ political issues. I remember how he had to bob down to walk through the door because he is so tall. We were in complete awe of this man and his presence.
@tvsinesperanto7446
Got to shake Pete's hand once. I am no small guy (6'3') and it was still like shaking hands with a baseball mitt.
@debbienye6002
I met Peter Garrett twice when he and the Oils came to Portland Oregon, USA for concerts. I'd been a fan for many years, and it was awesome to actually meet the band - twice!
@westaussie965
we didn't need to be taught about the abbos, they were in class with us!
@rohantrainvlogs
sounds awesome
@flavioribeiro1771
I'am brazillian fan, i'would like be a concert!
@zingleraster9124
Midnight Oil are national treasures and eerily their songs are just as relevant in 2019. The Oils are timeless and as an earlier commenter said up there with U2. We played US Forces at my brother’s funeral....it still makes me cry 30 years afterwards.
@violettamargitonwuegbu1131
I envy Australia that they have such a treasure. They are always very good and strong. I have loved them for almost 40 years at a distance of about 10,000 km.
@BrettHar123
Well at least the Oils wouldn’t never do a massive sellout, by giving the Cokehead from Kiev, a personal concert.
@warrenfuchs2304
Awesome Rocking band to see live