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.
When The Generals Talk
Midnight Oil Lyrics
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He is speaking to the people
The people are responding
With clapping and a'cheering
But the meaning of the message
Not revealed to those assembled
They're taken for a ride
Taken In his stride
When the Generals talk
You better listen to him
When the Generals talk
You better do what he say
There's a rumor in the ranking
Someone's talking insurrection
So the General has a purge
Cause he wants to win elections
With the certain satisfaction
That the people are appeased
Long live the revolution
The General's very pleased
Sitting on the fence both ears to the ground
The fat cats still push the thin cats around
"When The Generals Talk" by Midnight Oil is a protest song that reflects on the political climate of the time it was written. The opening lines depict a political figure on a platform delivering a speech to a crowd of people who respond with clapping and cheering. However, the lyrics suggest that the singer's real message may not be apparent to those assembled. As the song progresses, we learn that there's a rumor of insurrection, and the General in charge conducts a purge to appease the people and improve his chances of winning elections. The lyrics suggest that the General is manipulating the situation to his advantage, and the people are merely being taken for a ride.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the power dynamics at play, as the General's words are given greater weight than anyone else's. It compels the listener to take heed of whatever the General says, regardless of their true intentions. The closing lines of the song express a sense of helplessness in the face of power. Despite the people pushing for change and progress, the wealthy and the powerful still control things.
Overall, "When The Generals Talk" is a sobering commentary on the way politics works. It reveals how easy it is for those in power to manipulate public opinion and stay in power, even when they're not acting in the best interests of their constituents.
Line by Line Meaning
Up there on the platform
The General is addressing a crowd of people from a high stage.
He is speaking to the people
The General is communicating to the masses.
The people are responding
The audience is reacting positively to the General's speech.
With clapping and a'cheering
The people are enthusiastically showing their support.
But the meaning of the message
Although the General speaks, the true message is not clear.
Not revealed to those assembled
The General is keeping the real meaning of his speech from the crowd.
They're taken for a ride
The people are being misled and deceived by the General.
Taken In his stride
The General is confidently and easily manipulating the audience.
When the Generals talk
When those in power issue statements, the public should pay attention.
You better listen to him
It is important to heed the message of those with authority.
When the Generals talk
The importance of understanding what someone in command says cannot be overstated.
You better do what he say
The public is expected to follow what those in power instruct them to do.
There's a rumor in the ranking
There is talk and speculation within the military's hierarchy.
Someone's talking insurrection
There are rumblings of rebellion or mutiny in the ranks.
So the General has a purge
To quash any resistance and maintain control, the General orders a clearing of internal opposition.
Cause he wants to win elections
The General's motivation for purging is to secure votes and maintain power.
With the certain satisfaction
The General is pleased with how things are going.
That the people are appeased
The General knows the populace is pacified and not prone to rebellion.
Long live the revolution
The General is in support of maintaining the current system, under his control.
The General's very pleased
The General is content with the current state of affairs.
Sitting on the fence both ears to the ground
Observers who remain neutral yet who are attuned to the undercurrents present.
The fat cats still push the thin cats around
The wealthy and powerful are still exploiting the weaker, powerless individuals.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES MOGINIE, MARTIN ROTSEY, PETER GARRETT, PETER GIFFORD, ROBERT HIRST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind