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.
You May Not Be Released
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Under the bridge
Pushed to the edge
That's the way the story often ends
There's always love
You must understand
You may not be released
You may not be released
Do you believe it
So many things are talked about
But not much is done
Living in these times
The rock is a heart
Yeah, the rock ain't no stone
Stones 'll be thrown
You can't guess who but you know
There's another Pete track overlayed here
But I can't understand it
There's always love
You must understand
You may not be released
You must understand
You may not be released
Well I say, Well I say you must understand
You may not be released
The lyrics to Midnight Oil's song "You May Not Be Released" are quite enigmatic and open to interpretation, but there are some clear themes and messages that emerge. At its core, the song seems to be about the struggle for freedom and justice in a world that often seems to resist change. The opening lines suggest a sense of resignation, with the singer acknowledging that things often don't go as planned and that people can be pushed to the brink. The reference to being "under the bridge" could be interpreted as a metaphor for feeling trapped or isolated.
However, the song quickly shifts to a more optimistic tone with the lines "There's always love / You must understand". Here, the singer seems to be suggesting that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope and connection to be found. The repetition of the phrase "You may not be released" suggests that even if the struggle for freedom is ongoing and difficult, it's important to keep fighting and not give up.
The middle section of the song is somewhat cryptic, with references to "living in these times" and a "rock" that is both a heart and not a stone. It's unclear exactly what these lines mean, but they could be interpreted as a commentary on the current political and social climate, and the need for people to come together and stand up for their beliefs.
Overall, "You May Not Be Released" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to keep fighting for a better world, even in the face of adversity and resistance.
Line by Line Meaning
I understand things aren't often planned
I comprehend that not everything can go according to plan
Under the bridge
Beneath the bridge
Pushed to the edge
Forced to the brink of something, possibly a decision or an outcome
That's the way the story often ends
Stories often conclude in this kind of manner
There's always love
Love is a constant that one can rely on
You must understand
It is essential for you to grasp this concept
You may not be released
You might not be let go or set free
Do you believe it
Do you have faith in what is being said
So many things are talked about
Numerous things are discussed and brought up
But not much is done
However, very little is actually accomplished
Living in these times
Existing and surviving during this era
The rock is a heart
A rock can symbolically represent a heart
Yeah, the rock ain't no stone
Yes, the rock is not just an ordinary pebble
Stones 'll be thrown
Rocks may be hurled, whether figuratively or literally, depending on the situation
You can't guess who but you know
It is impossible to determine the identity of the person doing the throwing, but you are aware that an attack may be imminent
There's another Pete track overlayed here
There is an additional track by Peter, possibly referring to another musician or songwriter by the same name who contributed to the song
But I can't understand it
However, I cannot comprehend or make sense of it
You must understand
It is again crucial for you to comprehend
You may not be released
You still may not be let go or set free
Well I say, Well I say you must understand
I strongly reiterate that you need to understand
You may not be released
Once more, you may still not be permitted to go or be set free
Contributed by Avery F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.