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.
Whoah
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
God is by my side
You pay rates on that temple
Build materials at the side
He gives reasons
To get through the day
He doesn't have rinse action
He just says
Whoah - oh
Don't want to see you back here again
Girls are not smiling
The stars have gone out
The man with the landslide
Got his head in the ground
Like an unopened letter
Left under the door
He says I am the answer you're looking for
Whoah - oh
Don't want to see you back here again
Above we dream in the Androporosphere
Who maintains the drunken machinery
Before we dream of a time
When those men come from West Point
The lyrics of Midnight Oil's "Whoah" explore themes of faith, authority, and society's external pressures. Peter Garrett's distinct vocal delivery captures the angst and frustration faced by individuals trying to reconcile their religious beliefs with a sometimes oppressive, unforgiving world. In the opening lines, "The lord is my temple, God is by my side," we see the singer finding solace in their faith, which offers them a sense of stability and protection. However, this is juxtaposed with the harsh reality that they still have to pay rates on their temple, and acquire build materials for it, highlighting how religion is still very much a societal construct.
The tone shifts during the chorus as an authoritative figure warns, ‘Don't want to see you back here again.’ It's not clarified specifically who this message is directed at but, it could be interpreted as a warning against wrongdoings, reinforcing the theme of oppressive societal pressure. The second verse emphasises the bleakness of the world with "The stars have gone out" and "Girls are not smiling," painting a picture of a society on the brink of collapse. The singer then introduces the character of the man with the landslide who has "got his head in the ground," which could be interpreted as him being oblivious to the issues facing society. Despite this, he claims to have the answer, perhaps representing the false hope offered by those in power.
Line by Line Meaning
The lord is my temple
My faith and spirituality are essential to me, much like a temple is important to a religious person.
God is by my side
I feel supported and guided by a higher power.
You pay rates on that temple
There are financial and societal costs associated with dedicating oneself to religion.
Build materials at the side
The physical structure of a temple requires resources, time, and effort to create and maintain.
He gives reasons
My faith provides me with reasons to stay hopeful and motivated, even when things get tough.
To get through the day
My faith helps me cope with the challenges of daily life.
He doesn't have rinse action
My higher power doesn't always provide me with immediate solutions or answers.
He just says
Sometimes, all I can do is trust in my faith and wait for guidance or insight.
Whoah - oh
A vocalization of exasperation or fear.
Don't want to see you back here again
Please avoid this place or situation in the future.
Girls are not smiling
There is sadness or tension among the people around me.
The stars have gone out
The future seems uncertain or hopeless.
The man with the landslide
A person of authority or power who caused a significant problem or failure.
Got his head in the ground
This person is refusing to take responsibility or acknowledge their actions or the consequences thereof.
Like an unopened letter
Some secrets or solutions remain elusive and undiscovered, much like an unopened letter.
Left under the door
Hidden or forgotten, but potentially significant or life-changing.
He says I am the answer you're looking for
The man with the landslide (or a different person) claims to have the solution or fix to the problem at hand.
Above we dream in the Androporosphere
We have hopes and aspirations that transcend our immediate surroundings or reality.
Who maintains the drunken machinery
Who is responsible for our society's flaws or problems?
Before we dream of a time
Before we can hope for a better future, we must address our present challenges.
When those men come from West Point
An unidentified group with power or influence who could potentially solve our problems.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES MOGINIE, MARTIN ROTSEY, PETER GARRETT, PETER GIFFORD, ROBERT HIRST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind