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.
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 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.
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 !
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...
@@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 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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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! 🎸🎶🎤
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.
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 UA-cam were meant to be a voyage of discovery. Be well.@@telstar4772
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.
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 😊
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.
I loved Midnight Oil when I was a kid even if I had no idea what they were singing about. Their music was catchy and this video clips is so 80’s I love it
Hi! Great reaction to the Oils. i'm a Norwegian and I've been listening to the Oils since the 80's and they are still beeing played on Norwegian radio. You guys need to see their live videos. Oils are one of the best live band out there.
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.
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.
They were "Austrailian Punk" in the 70's then broke out in the 80's! Glad I was there living in that time! In America, High School dances played this every time! We loved it!
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. 😎
Great reaction guys, I really appreciate your thoughtful discussion. I do like music with a message especially when it's performed in their own accent! Cheers
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.
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.
Midnight Oil are one of Australian best exports....such a great career full of killer songs. A unique rock sound....usually with a message worth hearing. A lot of politicians didn't like them, they were too honest.....eventually lead singer and staunch environmentalist Peter Garrett became one, a senator in the Australian Govt. At the end of his political career, the band reformed and they released more fantastic music and toured more as well. Legends!
A great choice. This is a unique band. This is one of their most popular songs. The music has a nice groove but the words are more significant. I believe you all will enjoy and appreciate.
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 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
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).
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.
This was during the era of great Australian rock music. Live bands were a big thing back then. He fought for the struggle and despair of the indigenous people.
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.
The band Icehouse has a fantastic song called "Great Southern Land" that is an iconic song about Australia. Fantastic song, I'm off to listen to it again right now.
'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.
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"
There were definitely great bands out of Australia, but if you want to hear a voice that will honestly blow your minds, Matt Corby is an absolute must - start with Like a Version, Brother, it is out of this world good.
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"
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.
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".
Midnight Oil take their name from the quotation, "burning the midnight oil" -you got it ! This is a band with a conscience, a good heart and a message. Peter Garrett, their lead singer has an average voice but his delivery and stage presence makes up for it as it's dynamic !
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!
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 😊
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
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.
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.
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.
It comes off the 1987 album that focused a lot on Australia and relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the colonisers. Amazing live band
Aussie here who grew up in the 80s - Midnight Oil was the first rock band I saw live! If you're after more politically charged Aussies songs, take a look at The Warumpi Band (friends of Midnight Oil) and their song Blackfella Whitefella and Sacred Ground by Goanna, both about racial tension, land rights, and respect for the Indigenous peoples. Another big Oil's song Blue Sky Mining which was about the Asbestos mining disaster in Wittenoom.
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.
lets not forget his role in labours pink bat scheme.
@@wizardofoz497 Hey fake name. You can't even spell Labor correctly or use grammar. You are a joke.
@@wizardofoz497 There's always on here isn't there!
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'm a kiwi in australia. Whenever I get pissed off with the racism here, I watch this video. It reminds me that not all Aussie's are bad.
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.
Everyone danced like Peter Garret when drunk at parties!! He gave so much in so many ways!!
Peter Garret still to this day in 2024 is advocating for indigenous rights and all peoples rights. Amazing human ❤
Midnight Oil definitely were unique. A lot of people didn't like them. A lot of people loved them! Thanks for giving them a chance!
ARE unique, they never broke up and still tour.
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.
Australia’s nickleback?
They weren't always liked because all of their songs were political
@@itscoleman85not really,just very political
I’m a 70 year old woman the U.S., this is still one of my favorite songs❤️
Agreed!
👍❤️😎🇺🇸
Cool
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.
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 !
did himself no favours with labours pink bat scheme,although most greenies forget about that.
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.
And responsible for 5 deaths of Insulation installers
@@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 !
@@BeatWittwer-x8p just like Dan Andrews gets blamed for the 800 Nursing Home deaths in Victoria ....hey.
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...
I have seen Midnight oil live when I was 15, 18 and then 55!! They are just as awesome last year as they were when they were younger!!
They played live in New York streets back in the day protesting Exxon Valdez oil spill and corporate greed.
It took awhile to solve the corporate greed issue, but I'm glad that's been solved for over a decade now.
This album is fire. Blue Sky Mining next. Unique sound, unique voices. Peter was a member of government for a while. Quite the activist.
Blue Sky Mining is an amazing song
Great album indeed! And it does _not_ sound like it was recorded already 37 years ago either! 😀👍
@@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!
Midnight Oil played this at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney…. This song is an anthem to aboriginal rights.
Yes and it was very embarrassing.
@@happyolddudewhy do you find it embarrassing? What is it within you that is being triggered? Where is the cringe coming from?
@@janmeyer3129definitely not a song that should be played at an Olympic ceremony .
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
@@happyolddude For Little Johnny. Not for most Aussies.
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.
Don't forget perhaps the two biggest Australian bands of the 80's, AC/DC and INXS.
@@ronnix23 Thank you!! Noted!!
@@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
And then Kylie Minogue and Olivia Newton-John of course...not to forget as Aussie stars
@@The_Dudester Mel Gibson in the "Mad Max" movies.
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.
Men at work.
Olivia Newton-John
The Wiggles have sold a lot of records too!
@@joecarcione6636 - Right. Olivia Newton John actually had the longest running #1 hit of the 80's. "Physical"
Technically, AC/DC weren't Aussies. They had actually immigrated to Australia from Scotland. But yes, they were a band from Australia.
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.
A great bass line too. A lot of the songs on this album have that driving beat.
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.
Sleeping Beauty great song too!
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.
@@jameskitchell7547 B E A U T Y !!! Great band.
My favourite is Only lonely. Temperamental and Punxsie
@@eviekelpie1 Siren us my go to
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.
Pink Bats fall guy, enough said!
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.
3 songs to describe Australia, Ice House-Great Southern Land, Goanna-Solid Rock and GANGgajang-Sounds of Then (This Is Australia)
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! 🎸🎶🎤
Live 'Oils on Water' concert version.
Classic Peter Garret dancing, absolutely iconic to all Aussies.
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.
One of the best bands in Australia 🇦🇺 🙌 you have to understand the underlying political issues that are forever current in australia.
Little River Band are Australian and also worth a listen. "It's A Long Way There" is epic.
In "The Other Guys": Will Ferrell "always had 5 CD's of LRB loaded" in his Prius!
@@Billy-zv6gv I loved that part of that movie! Go LRB!
Just watched Glen Shorrock singing help on Rockwiz
Amazing
Check it out
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.
Never heard of them
Absolutely top shelf requests both bands are one of a kind.
@@telstar4772Nor me , they can't be very good if no one's heard of them
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 UA-cam were meant to be a voyage of discovery. Be well.@@telstar4772
Love the shout out to Amyl and the Sniffers. Climb in the back seat!
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.
Was in US Navy stationed in New Zealand. This band was big.
Midnight Oil are Australian icons the best live band I have EVER seen.
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 remember when this came out, back in my youth, and it was immediately top of my all-time top 10. Nearly 40 years later it's still there.
This song is one of many at that time, highlighting the ongoing concerns around Australia's indigenous peoples and their struggles.
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.
I loved Midnight Oil when I was a kid even if I had no idea what they were singing about. Their music was catchy and this video clips is so 80’s I love it
This was a tribute to our indigenous people and the lost generation very powerful song to us Aussie's that's for sure cheers
Hi! Great reaction to the Oils. i'm a Norwegian and I've been listening to the Oils since the 80's and they are still beeing played on Norwegian radio. You guys need to see their live videos. Oils are one of the best live band out there.
Thanks for reacting to this song and giving this band a chance. The meaning is so powerful. ❤
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.
"First Nation people" are an indigenous peoples of Canada.
@@TheHandymanQldYou can say that about any indigenous peoples 🤷🏼
@@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.
Fun fact everyone calls it "I was only 19" but the actual name is "A walk in the light green"
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.
They were "Austrailian Punk" in the 70's then broke out in the 80's! Glad I was there living in that time! In America, High School dances played this every time! We loved it!
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. 😎
You can't do Aussie without doing the Divinyls, I touch MYSELF.
Pleasure and Pain
This is one of my favorite bands and I love this song and it’s message!
Great reaction guys, I really appreciate your thoughtful discussion. I do like music with a message especially when it's performed in their own accent! Cheers
The 'Power and the Passion' is another great song
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.
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.
Midnight Oil are one of Australian best exports....such a great career full of killer songs. A unique rock sound....usually with a message worth hearing. A lot of politicians didn't like them, they were too honest.....eventually lead singer and staunch environmentalist Peter Garrett became one, a senator in the Australian Govt. At the end of his political career, the band reformed and they released more fantastic music and toured more as well. Legends!
A great choice. This is a unique band. This is one of their most popular songs. The music has a nice groove but the words are more significant. I believe you all will enjoy and appreciate.
The song is a natural anthem. As songs calling for a nation's conscience to wake up and DO SOMETHING, frequently are.
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 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
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).
The first time I saw/heard this video, I liked it immediately. The unusual voice of Peter Garrett made this song for me.
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.
You guys are very good at analysing a song and exploring everything about it. Very good insight!
Going to see Oils in the 80s was quite the experience. Crowd would get hectic.
MTV played this song constantly, a firm favourite
This was during the era of great Australian rock music. Live bands were a big thing back then. He fought for the struggle and despair of the indigenous people.
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.
The band Icehouse has a fantastic song called "Great Southern Land" that is an iconic song about Australia. Fantastic song, I'm off to listen to it again right now.
One Hit Wonders here in America but huge band in Australia. 'Blue Sky Mine' next. Cheers.
That’s sacrilegious!
So many hits for the Oils.
'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.
Bad ass tune right there. 🤘❤️pete garrett is killing the vocals and movements. Its like art in motion
Another Australian anthem: IceHouse - Great Southern Land
John Oates sang background on some of their songs.
@@lindanadeau1884he also co-wrote Australia's unofficial drunken national anthem "Electric Blue"
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"
They'd best avoid 'The Boys Light Up', though! 😅 But 'Errol' and 'Oh No, Not You Again' also are _good_ Aussie Crawl songs 😊👍
This, Blue Sky Mine and The Power and The Passion are probably their biggest hits. You should react to the other two songs as well.
Another song by an Australian band, dealing with Australia's indigenous peoples, is Solid Rock by Goana.
Incredible band. Still going strong!
There were definitely great bands out of Australia, but if you want to hear a voice that will honestly blow your minds, Matt Corby is an absolute must - start with Like a Version, Brother, it is out of this world good.
yup, one of the best songs at that time and the singer became a politician fighting for the cause.
It's a great hook. Excellent radio fodder hits you with those powerful opening chords. Makes one want to get up and dance.
Love them! This album was excellent! Good memories.💖
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"
Haven’t heard this in forever!! Never saw the video before! Really liked it when it came it out!!❤❤
In staying with Australia, try Tomorrow by Silverchair. The three boys were like 15 yrs, in school, when that song came out.
"Dead Heart" & "Put down that Weapon" are from the same album (Diesel & Dust) that were also very successful single and socially aware themes
'The Dead Heart' has been one of my 18-year-old Son's favourite songs for several years now, too! 😊
A great song , awesome group! Like your reactions
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.
Canadians ain't ignorant, they're just too nice and polite. 😜😂
You should listen to 'The Cruel Sea'...the Honeymoon is Over ,or ,Black Stick...
Great Aussie band...
I think it's called putting your own stamp on it, the more I listen to it the more it grows on me. I like the bass line.
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".
Midnight Oil take their name from the quotation, "burning the midnight oil" -you got it ! This is a band with a conscience, a good heart and a message. Peter Garrett, their lead singer has an average voice but his delivery and stage presence makes up for it as it's dynamic !
Just for a bit of context 45 degrees is Celsius meaning 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Meaning damn hot. 😊
I thought Canadians used Celsius
No 99.9% of the world use Celsius and the rest of the metric system! Septics!
If you REALLY want "as Aussie as it gets", check out songs from the album before this one. It's called Red Sails In The Sunset, and it's incredible.
Even better in their live versions from the 'Oils On Water' show, I reckon
😀👍
‘Sleep’ is probably my favourite song of theirs. One of the best live bands I ever saw… 👍🇦🇺
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!
@kirstenstewart5758 exactly what she said!!
Wow, you still hear the song from time to time, but I forgot about the video. Very cool....
Midnight Oil would be one of the best bands to see live. They give 110% every time. You should check out U.S Forces. Great song. Cheers!
I Love This Song - It's a Classic!
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 😊
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
Got to check out Amyl and the Sniffers - Amy is Chrissie re-incarnated.
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.
40 years later and still not a Republic 😏
@@telstar4772 yep, very sad 😩
@@jamesmorgan4121 Not for the majority its not, or it would have happened 🇦🇺🇬🇧
@@interabangoh really captain obvious. I didn’t know that.
@@interabangthe majority wanted a republic but didn’t want the parliament to appoint the head of the republic
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.
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.
I saw them at Easter ‘24 at Byron Bay.
The song’s about indigenous land rights.
They are a super talented band!
Those dance moves are going to take off soon.
It comes off the 1987 album that focused a lot on Australia and relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the colonisers. Amazing live band
Treaty by Yothu Yindi is a banger.
😂 I shared bongs with the lads 81/82 10 to 1 tour Byron Bay Piggery, the Arts Factory! Saw them again in NZ 2017 AWESOME!🤘🤘🤘
Nothing like the 80’s bong! Lol
Aussie here who grew up in the 80s - Midnight Oil was the first rock band I saw live! If you're after more politically charged Aussies songs, take a look at The Warumpi Band (friends of Midnight Oil) and their song Blackfella Whitefella and Sacred Ground by Goanna, both about racial tension, land rights, and respect for the Indigenous peoples. Another big Oil's song Blue Sky Mining which was about the Asbestos mining disaster in Wittenoom.
Keep shining your light!
Peter Garrett most known not for his voice or his political efforts but his outlandish dance moves!!!