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.
Underwater
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
White flurry scudded, a dark silhouette flashes by, in the wet
It is glistening flesh
In the deep marine, in the deep marine
There is room for make believe out in the ocean
There is room for make believe out on the land
In the wet, in the dream, if its flashing then seen
In the deep marine, in the deep marine
Looking to the white framed headland
Green pockets dropping, a bright cockatoo
Circles up in the breeze, in the realm you can't reach
In the deep marine, in the deep marine
There is room for make believe out in the ocean
There is room for make believe out on the land
In the west, crashes by, its a green silhouette
In the deep marine, in the deep marine
No one can make her, no one can break her down
Underwater, over land
No one can make her, no one can break her
Underwater, over land
No one can make her, no one can break her
She is what she is and no one can bring her down, bring her down
Looking to the white framed headland
Green pockets dropping a bright cockatoo
Circles up in the breeze, in the realm you can't reach
In the deep marine, in the deep marine
There is room for make believe out in the ocean
There is room for make believe out on the land
In the wet, flashes by, its a green silhouette
In the deep marine, in the deep marine
No one can make her, no one can break her
Underwater, overland
No one can break her, no one can fake her
She it what she is and no one can bring her down, bring her down
Underwater, overland
No one can squeeze her, no one can freeze her now
No one can make her, no one can break her down
No one can seize her, no one can freeze her
She is what she is and you've got to see it
The lyrics of "Underwater" by Midnight Oil are poetic and enigmatic, but they appear to be describing the beauty and mystery of the ocean and the creatures that inhabit it. The first stanza talks about a dark silhouette flashing by in the wet; it is revealed to be a glistening fish or sea animal. The second stanza is about a white-framed headland with green pockets dropping, and a bright cockatoo circling up in the breeze. It is said to exist in a realm that cannot be reached. The refrain "No one can make her, no one can break her down" appears to be a message of empowerment and resilience, suggesting that no matter what happens, the subject of the song cannot be brought low.
The song appears to be exploring the theme of the natural world's mystery and unfathomable wonders, especially those hidden beneath the surface of the ocean. The lyrics suggest that there is "room for make believe out in the ocean" and that "if it's flashing then seen," perhaps referring to the fact that the bioluminescent creatures in the ocean can only be seen when they light up. The shining fish and bright cockatoo appear to be symbolic of the beauty that exists in the world, even in the most remote and inaccessible places.
Overall, the song is a powerful tribute to the resilience of the natural world and the beauty that can be found in even the darkest and most hidden corners. Its lyrics are evocative and haunting, capturing the mystery and power of the ocean and its inhabitants in a way that few songs can.
Line by Line Meaning
Scanning at the blue bended headlands
Observing the curvy sea cliffs with a blue hue
White flurry scudded, a dark silhouette flashes by, in the wet
A quick movement of an unidentified dark figure in the wet sea amidst white foam
It is glistening flesh
The dark silhouette in the water was a shining sea creature
In the deep marine, in the deep marine
The shining sea creature was in the depths of the sea
There is room for make believe out in the ocean
The sea is vast and provides a world of imagination
There is room for make believe out on the land
The land also offers a space of imagination
In the wet, in the dream, if its flashing then seen
The underwater creature was visible if it reflected in the light and in dreams
Looking to the white framed headland
Observing the white cliffs
Green pockets dropping, a bright cockatoo
Green spots falling and a colorful bird flying nearby
Circles up in the breeze, in the realm you can't reach
The bird flying higher in a realm unreached by humans amid the sea breeze
No one can make her, no one can break her down
No one can influence or harm the sea creature
Underwater, over land
The creature exists in both sea and land
No one can make her, no one can break her
Repeating the idea of the creature being indestructible
She is what she is and no one can bring her down, bring her down
Reinforcing the idea that the creature is resilient and cannot be defeated
No one can squeeze her, no one can freeze her now
Further emphasizing the creature's invincibility
No one can seize her, no one can freeze her
Emphasizing again the powerlessness of others to affect the creature
She is what she is and you've got to see it
Urging people to recognize and accept the creature's true nature
In the west, crashes by, its a green silhouette
Another reference to a green thing in the water that crashes by in the west
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Martin Rotsey, Robert Hirst, James Moginie, Peter Garrett, Wayne Stevens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Ferklaus
I love the sound of the SNARE !!! awesome !!!
@kevinmarshall59
My dad used to play this in the car when I was a kid and I always thought it was really catchy but I could never find it for the life of me. Glad I finally found it
@darrenglover7772
Remember buying the album and got free tickets to concert at Saint George Leagues Club. What a top night. One of over a hundred concerts I’ve seen. Classics.
@martinyant8653
Such a great song.
@jamiefoyers2800
And I thought I'd got most of the Midnight oil back catalogue!. Not so...this one turned up on my travels in the "Oxfam Music shop" which was a surprise!. It's not the "usual" sounding Midnight Oil track...it's certainly different...but nice one for chucking a gull in the video. Cool birds!.
@niviamendez1958
Fantastic!
@user-qm9bt6cv6v
The deep marine world wish I could be as casual under water like them the hidden world with plenty of colors shapes sizes...
@Chicago611
one of my favorite songs ever!
@jesslyas1427
RIP Bones
@maximilianoborges5920
I love this band. Totally underrated