Peter Garrett, the lead singer, is a very interesting person. After suffering tragedies in his youth, father died in his teens, mother died in his early twenties in a house fire he escaped from but she didn't, he went on to become a singer in a rock and roll band but also spent 10 years as president of the Australian Conservation Fund and spent 9 years in government roles including Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts as well as Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth.
That was a stimulus package to crank-up the economy - and it worked, employing tens of thousands and assisting in energy efficiency in homes reducing Australia's carbon footprint and breaking the recession@@wizardofoz497
Nine years in parliament, three in opposition, six years as a government minister. It is the Australian Conservation Foundation, not Fund. He was also on the board of Greenpeace International for a few years.
I am a proud Aussie who grew up as a teen with this song blaring EVERY day during the 80's. This song is ingrained into me as an anthem and no matter where I am in the world as soon as I hear this song I return to 1987. You have to be an Aussie growing up in this era to truly understand this song, our culture and music tastes...
The 1980's were a "golden age" of sorts for Australia. An Australian yacht had won the America's cup, previously held by American boats for over 100 years. Crocodile Dundee was tops at the box office. Men at Work was dominating the top 40 and Midnight Oil rode that wave. This, after Australia was basically a forgotten continent for a century.
@@ronnix23plus many more e.g Little River Band, Air Supply, Bee Gee’s(arguably) Men at Work, Crowded House, Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, the Easybeats, Daddy Cool, Models etc, just to mention a few, when you stop and think about it our music talent was phenomenal
Peter Garett the lead singer has been a campaigner for decades. He was actually elected to parliament and became a Govt. Minister ( Environment). His passion for issues remains unchanged despite realising that politicians/parties are unwilling to take strong action !
He was also the federal Education Minister as well. Was fortunate to met him, along with other school Principals, in Brisbane, whilst he was the Education Minister. Very interesting and intelligent man.
@@allanedwards1036 Seems strange to blame a Minister for the poor OHS management of private contractors paid for by that Ministers office. I never realised Garrett was on the work sites causing the deaths personally !
As a Kiwi myself who spent ten years there, i know exactly what you mean. There are good people there but the racism is mind blowing. They have a very different history than us but if any white boy said and did some of the stuff i saw there he would be in a puddle of red on the ground. They feel they can just say whatever without repercussion till they meet a Kiwi 👊 Don't be to homesick my bro its siht here to.
I've always loved the unusual sound and beat of this song. It's got great heart via the overt social commentary about the mistreatment of the Australian Aborigines. Peter Garrett has such a unique voice.
@@mightyV444 Deisel and Dust is one of the greatest albums I've ever listened to. Warakurna! The Dead Heart! Bullroarer! The same album? OMG. Hits like a demolition ball!! The whole bloody album is great.
@@markhodge7 - I won't argue with that! 😄😉 It always surprises me when people _don't_ like this album and say Midnight Oil's previous ones had been far better, and it's usually Australians too who give 'Diesel And Dust' a bad rating!
I was young enough when this song came out that the lyrics didn't mean anything to me. But the music was very catchy and the vocals were unique and passionate. Always liked the song, both before and after discovering the political nature of the song. Best friend loves their music, but I could never get into anything else I heard from them.
In the 1980s they really helped to bring indigenous land rights into the mainstream mindset. That is what this song is all about, and I’d say it helped a lot being such a hit! Amongst many of their other songs which often had a message.
A great Aussie band with a fierce female lead singer is The Divinyls. PLEASURE AND PAIN, SCIENCE FICTION, BOYS IN TOWN. The live version of ELSIE from 1984. The live version of TEMPERAMENTAL. Anything by them except I TOUCH MYSELF, a good song but to many, the only song they're known by when their catalog is spectacular.
Love Chrissie but it's always annoyed me that I touch myself is their most well known song. Made for the American market they polished all the rough edges when it's the rough edges that made good aussie pub rock bloody amazing.
I am a very sane man who is entitled to his opinion. I believe it was very inappropiate to be played at a venue such as the Olympics. The song does not reflect Australian values in anyway and surely other choices could be made without us having to cringe at this one..@@janmeyer3129
Go look at Paul Kelly as he has a fair few good songs. He's a singer-songwriter and guitarist. Could say he is the modern version of Bod Dylan. "How to make gravey" song with the version when we had the lockdown with covid is the best video. You guys will definitely like it. 😎
Aussies definitely had a great run in the 80s. AC/DC, INXS, Midnight Oil, Crowded House, and on the softer side Little River Band. I loved all of them.
It's very jarring, goes against the grain and grabs your attention to deliver its message powerfully.....how our ancestors have abused indigenous people
This is Midnight Oil's most famous song, at least internationally. Yet, if there is a song that for me is the "manifesto" of Australia, it's "Great Southern Land" by Icehouse (personally, for what my musical tastes are, I prefer Icehouse much more than Midnight Oil). 🤠 Another song featuring Native (but New Zealand) is "R.I.P. (Millie)" by Noiseworks, composed by singer Jon Stevens to commemorate his deceased mother. Noiseworks are an Australian band, but lead singer Jon Stevens is from New Zealand and is half Scottish (father's side) and half Māori (mother's side). Among the many Australian bands, I have always liked The Church, in particular the songs "Tantalized" and "Under the Milky Way". 😎
Certainly seems to be their most famous song internationally but would not consider it one of Midnight Oil's better songs. They would have at least 20 to 30 tracks I would consider better but for whatever reason it seems the only track people overseas are aware of. Most of their songs are about Australian places and conditions and politics. Short Memory should be more applicable to a wider international audience. I like more of their material from earlier in the 80's than the album this song was from. It is an ok album but not one I regularly would play of theirs. They were not my favourite Aussie band but they certainly were a great live band.
Oiellllllls, oielllllllls, you can almost here the iconic chant!! One of the best Aussie bands ever. Music still awesome to this day, and great to see live!! Just a great Aussie band.
Regardless of the lyrics, his voice and the band's political stance, it's a great song. He might have a strange voice, but for me, I'm glad it's not the same as everyone else. How boring would that be?
In the case of this song, the Indigenous people were moved off their land so that the Australian government could build a missile test firing range. The very political band, Midnight Oil, felt that this was a, particularly, cruel way to destroy their communities, as also, part of the relocation efforts also separated children from families, to send them to "schools". Peter Garrett, the lead singer, took a hiatus from this band, to run for the Senate, and, eventually, to serve as the country's Environmental Minister and , later, Education Minister. Midnight Oil has been one of the most popular bands in their home country, with their album, Diesel and Dust, was chosen as the top Australian album of all time, in a 2010 top 100 Australian albums book. In a 2021 Rolling Stone Australia poll, it was ranked at #5 . With Garrett retired from politics, the band is still active.
The song is about the theft of Indigenous land, saying “It belongs to them, let’s give it back” always loved Midnight Oil and their lead singer Peter Garrett, musician, environmentalists, activist and former politician.
'The Oils' have a reputation for being one of the finest 'live' band around, for examples see vision for their concerts in South Africa, England and in Sweden.
Hey guys Max here - ex bouncer from Down Unda! - Midnight Oil was the biggest of what I called our ‘statement bands’ The Oils - that was what we called them in the industry campaigned mostly for the recognition of the First Nation people here in Australia. They have an amazing catalog of great songs. Another ‘message band’ you should check out is REDGUM ( from my home town Adelaide) their big hit was ‘I Was Only 19’ - a song written about the lead singers friend who was conscripted to the Vietnam War and cam back an agent orange defoliant victim. - Luv ya work guys - MORE AUSSIE BANDS PLEASE!!
I was going to mention Redgum - but to be honest I want someone to do a song other than I was only 19 (Stewie for example) - but the clips for their other songs aren't suitable for reactions.
@@cjstryder5441 Section 35 of the Constitution Act of 1982 (Canada) declares that Aboriginal peoples (the legal term used for Indigenous peoples) in Canada include Indian (First Nations), Inuit and Métis peoples. First Nations people are sometimes known by other names, like Indians, Natives or Amerindians. These names may be problematic, as some have negative connotations. However, in Canada, the term Indian has specific legal contexts. The document governing the federal government’s relationship with First Nations people is called the Indian Act. As part of the Indian Act, the federal government maintains an Indian Register that is an official record of all First Nations people who are recognized as Status Indians. Before the 1980s, the most popular term for a person of First Nations heritage in Canada was Indian. In 1980, hundreds of chiefs met in Ottawa and used First Nations for the first time in their Declaration of the First Nations. In 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood became the Assembly of First Nations. They are a political voice for First Nations people in Canada. Symbolically, the term elevates First Nations to the status of "first among equals" as founding nations of Canada. It is reflective of the sovereign nature of many communities and the ongoing quest for self-determination and self-government. The term is not used by Indigenous peoples outside Canada.
The song is about aboriginal rights. They say its time to give the land back to them. Pay our rent for everything bad we have done. So even if people dont like it it is still a history lesson. 😊
They never owned the land and have only been here for about 7,000 years. They were the 7th or 8th race to be in this country and came from Southern India. That is fact!
@@happyolddude are you serious right now? The aboriginals was there long before the white people was there. To say that the white people own the lands is like telling that trump has been on the moon! Its a total lie. We all know that the white people have been plundering and taking over for a long period of time. And its time for us to give back what we have taken to the right owners.
Please if you are going to 'correct me' do your research first. The Negritos were the first here and that is a general fact.The aboriginals are entitled to nothing along with their made up Welcome To Country and dot paintings oh the list is endless.@@carokat1111
The squeaking windmill noise at the beginning and end of the video is from the Sergio Leone movie "Once Upon A Time In The West". Watch the movie and you will see, it is at the beginning of the movie where Jack Elam, Woody Strode and another actor are waiting for Charles Bronson to get off of a train. Lead Singer Pater Garret was elected to the Australian Parliament, and served for about a decade, then went back to singing with Midnight Oil.
Midnight Oil definitely has their own unique sound. One of their songs I would love to see you react to is "The Power And The Passion". Thanks for your always great reactions! 🎸🎶🎤
I forgot how much I liked this song. Please do a reaction on the Australian band Jet’s “are you gonna be my girl”, “Roll over DJ” or the Beatles like ballad “Look what you’ve done” The songs are from their album “Get Born” 🕊❤️🎼p
Great band guys with 11 brilliant album in their catalog. I would suggest doing Blue Sky Mining next which is about asbestos mining and the death of many workers at Wittenoom in Northern WA or Truganinni which is also about indigenous people and Australia’s need to get away from the British commonwealth and become a republic. Midnight Oil were very, very political. They always give a very thought provoking message and also get your feet tapping.
Great group for that Aussie intro. Try their song "Power and the Passion". There is also the band Ice House "No Promises". Or the group Pseudo Echo's cover of "Funky Town" And have to include Divinyls "I Touch Myself" Oh, one more The band's name is Big Pig (yup ) and the song is called "Breakaway".
At the heart of the song is the notion that indigenous people who were forcibly removed from parts of Australia to make way for agriculture and mining should have ownership rights. “It belongs to them, let's give it back,” Peter Garrett sings with urgency. Released in 1987.
Some other tracks: Dreamworld: Minutes to Midnight; Short Memory; Put Down That Weapon; Bullroarer; My Country; Progress; Renaissance Man: Sleep; Hercules. Any of those I believe you'll find interesting. And yes, Peter Garrett's voice takes some accustomising to.
Being 54 yrs old it is great to see other people reach back in the 70's and 80's for music when it was a wild time :) and both of you are really covering the whole range of music which is just fabulous :) KUDOS. You should take a listen to recent BIg band sound like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy or Squirrel Nut Zipper etc.
Just FYI, that squeaky windmill sound is from the opening scene of "Once Upon A Time in the West". Speaking of, you guys should react to that opening scene. The video: "The Best Western Opening Scene Ever"
Midnight Oil were huge. Great catalogue. If you want to hear another Aussie band with a definite, unusual timing and phrasing, check out the band Australian Crawl, maybe start with their "Beautiful People" or "Reckless"
I love Midnight Oil, this was the song that introduced me to them ,it was a hit here in the States at the time,A lot of their music is political or message driven for sure, but I wouldnt call it preachy and are great tunes. Blue Sky Mine ,Dreamworld, The Dead Heart,Forgotten years are some of my faves.
I agree with the request for another Aussie band, The Divinyls. This rock band had a badd ass female lead, Chrissie Amphlett, whom sadly passed away in 2013. So many hits! Pleasure and pain Only lonely Boys in town
Brit here - always felt a stronger affinity with the working class from Oz & New Zealand than with the working class elsewhere in the world - it shows up in the music too. If you want your minds blown give Amyl & the Sniffers a listen - blistering pub/punk rock from down under, lead singer Amy Taylor is a perpetual motion machine - the tracks 'Guided By Angels' 'Security' & 'Hertz' are absolute belters. & if you want to question your sanity give Tism a whirl - 'He'll Never Be An (Old Man) River Phoenix' is a stand out track - but all their tracks are batsh*t crazy. Keep up the good work. Love & Kisses from the UK.
I'm confused - are you negating their existence or taking the piss & I'm missing it? Or do you refuse to engage with the unknown? You must have a very thin music collection if so. I've always thought these little trawls through RU-vid were meant to be a voyage of discovery. Be well.@@telstar4772
My favourite band! Peter Garret's voice can take some getting used to but it's truly unique! Midnight Oil were actually praised for proudly singing with their Australian accents rather than "Americanising" their voices like INXS or ACDC did a bit. Midnight Oil are very talented musicians, and great live too! I highly recommend the songs Forgotten Years, Power and The Passion, Blue Sky Mine, Dreamworld, and Truganini (original Australian version).
Check out Midnight Oil's 'Truganini' official video - another song about about historical indigenous treatment, colonialism and today's exploitation of everyday working class people.
As an Aussie, I have to say Midnight oil's music put me off at first (way back when) until their third album 'Place without a Postcard'. I've seen them live so many times now... Their music is in my playlist of the 80's.
Couldn't agree more with Phil, as a Canadian kid in the 80's we could only get our video fix from a show called Video Hits that came on at 5pm on the CBC, the host said this was a great new band. As my sister and I listened to the song the singer's opening lines had us laughing at how weird it was, we were not impressed. lol But by the time the chorus hit we were believers!. Love it even more today.
I was about 3 when this came out, so maybe not the best to ask - I would not be surprised if this wasn't connected to what is now known as the Eddie Mabo case. Essentially a back and forth between a small group of first nations people, and the government. They began in 1982 and finally got a result from the High Court in 1992. It later led to the passing of the Native Titles Act in 1993 allowing for recognition of culturally significant sites and basically allowing the associated indigenous groups to protect those significant sites. Peter Garret, the Lead Singer here, more recently got into Politics and whilst I think he had the passion for his causes, I don't think he had the political game to work around his peers and kinda got taken advantage of a lot.
Cool review…further song choice would depend on what you want to see from them….if u want to view one of the tightest rock bands ever view ‘only the strong’ Capitol Theatre or Oils on Water….
The Aboriginal peoples of Australia were treated as criminals for defending their land. They were chained and imprisoned, and in some cases, literally hunted down and murdered, with state sanction, and their bodies displayed as trophies. It's beyond time to "make it right."
to get a true understanding of song, you need to look into Mabo, named for the man who started the fight for native lands, which was won in the courts (from memory he died just before ruling, but I'm not sure on that fact), along with what was happening back then with mining (still is) destroying what they wanted for the minerals. the song is basically pulling at the conscience of people, the line "how do you sleep while your bed is burning" being a big one.
Yes, I just (yesterday) returned from Australia and learned this from my guide. It is definitely a time of reconciliation with the Australian First Nation. Looks like progress is being made. Uluru (Ayers Rock) was a great example. Very natural now and you can’t climb it anymore or even take pictures of the more sacred side. And oh yes great reaction.
@@tommycanadasmobazimmer It's been going on for decades, $Billions annually. It's never meant to be solved, too many activists have bought into (and cash in on) the perverse incentive system that has parasitically attached itself to reconciliation.
Almost all of their songs are protest songs. But they are also very good songs period. I got to see them a few years back at the Greek. One of the best concert I have ever been to.
Oils on Water concert Stand in Line live is an must see guys Peter Garrett is an absolute beast of a frontman And every musician in the band is 1st class 💯♥️🇦🇺
Fantastic concert! 🤩 'Best Of Both Worlds' is the best show opener I've come across so far on YT! 😀👍 'Kosciuszko' is also among my favourites from that concert 😊
I listened so much to this album Diesel and Dust as a teen in South Africa, that the next song started playing in my head at the end of the video 🤣 I was too young though to draw parallels to my own country, although I got the gist of it. Interestingly this album peaked at no 1 and wasn't censored/banned in the 80s. At least 4 other bangers on the album, Dreamworld, Warakurna, The Dead Heart, Bullroarer etc His voice grows on you , it certainly fits the music. Another top Aussie band (including some NZ members) from the 80s is Crowded House (and they were huge in SA). please start with Don't Dream it's Over, its beautiful 😊
Australia also was blessed with the pop group the Seekers, featuring Judith Durham. You should check out I Am Australian by the Seekers which itself is featured in a number of reaction videos. It’s a national treasure.
Matt Corby is an exceptional Australian singer and song writer. If you could react to his song 'Brother' Live like a version. He has a massive catalogue. He could be world renowed and gone mainstream but has decided to do his own thing and stay true to himself. Thanks for your time.
I second this - Matt is one of the best vocalists anywhere in the world. Song for Interlude live hits my soul and eardrums equally and LAV Brother is everything!
All Midnight Oil songs are about Political Issues. This song in particular is about when the first convicts arrived from England they forcibly removed The Indigenous People who originally owned the land, to build on. The line where Peter Garret sings “it belongs to them, let’s give it back” he saying that we should give all the land that was taken from the Indigenous People and give it back to them
As you say, Midnight Oil championed indigenous and environmental issues. This led them to gain some traction in countries that wrestle with similar issues. For this reason, Midnight Oil had success in Canada and to a lesser degree, South Africa. Midnight Oil were close friends with the Canadian band The Tragically Hip as they cared about similar issues. Peter Garrett and Gord Downie campaigned a lot together in Canada to bring greater attention to conservation and First Nations Peoples issues. RIP Gord, you left this world way too soon.
A definitive political statement which echos the global indigenous plight - as here in Canada. Lands taken, exploitation of resources and rights infringed upon by an ever changing society. The naysayers of indigenous rights and freedoms would best take this as a warning that if it happens to them; it can happen to you. I am not trying to focus on the negative but please let it serve as a harbinger for future generations.
