This is a political song about giving native Australian lands back to the Pintupi, who were among the very last people to come in from the desert. These "last contact" people began moving from the Gibson Desert to settlements and missions in the 1930s. More were forcibly moved during the 1950s and 1960s to the Papunya settlement. In 1981 they left to return to their own country and established the Kintore community which is nestled in the picturesque Kintore Ranges, surrounded by Mulga and Spinifex country. It is now a thriving little community with a population of about 400. Midnight Oil performed this in front of a worldwide audience of billions, (including Prime Minister John Howard, who has claimed it as his favourite Midnight Oil song) at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The whole band were dressed in black, with the words "sorry" printed conspicuously on their clothes. This was a reference to the Prime Minister's refusal to apologize, on behalf of Australia, to the Aboriginal Australians for the way they have been treated over the last 200 years. Peace out.
Australia's best political band. 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
Peter Garret, the singer, is a very bright guy, studied politics and law and went on to become a politician, Minister for Education and Youth and then Minister for Environment and Water, Shadow Minister for Climate Change. Interested in global and Australian environmental issues. During his politcal era his band continued to perform. His band Midnight Oil highlighted environmental issues and performed internationally including in the US where they had a large following. They performed and toured from 1976 until 2022 and no longer tour.
Love midnight oil and what they stand for… blue sky mine, is another song from them that talks about how poorly people were treated who mined for asbestos, and the best bit is the lead singer went on to be a politician because he knew to make a change you have to be in the system that makes the rules
Love the Oils!👍 yes, the song’s about the dispossession of the First Nations people from their land, and the imperative to “pay the rent” and give the land back.
Hey Mike. Ashley is an old English name for boys or girls. It was popular in the 70s in Oz for both. These days the common use is Ashley for boys and Ashleigh for girls. Keep up the great work. POTTSY.
Hey Mike I told you when you started your channel that Aussies would come if you played John Farnham and other Aussie icons and look what's happened, congratulations. I'm pretty sure you didn't start out wanting to feature as an Australian reacter, sorry not sorry lol. I love that you've embraced our talent and even our culture a little bit. I'm sure your audience will expand and become more diverse over time. You're easy to like Mike, Aussies respect 'realness' if that makes sense so don't change.
Thankyou very much good sir!! Ashley is a unisex name here in Australia mate. You more or less hit the nail on the head- the song is about the plight of indigenous Australians, not so much just the stolen land but also the murder of the innocent and the stealing of a generation of children, literally referred to as the stolen generation.
Midnight Oil is an Aussie band with a message and a conscience. They are known and have played around the world. Check out, 'Stand In Line", in concert, in Sydney, where the drummer's initial driving drum-play is amazing.
I was a batsman in a cricket team in the Toowoomba competition in the late 90's, the only civilian in a team comprised of members from the Oakey Army Aviation Base. Great men who spoke highly of U.S forces personnel. It was always a great joke among them that your guys couldn't handle our beer and would stock up as much Bundaberg Rum as they were allowed to take home.
Hey mate, to save misclicks with youtube videos, here are some helpful keyboard shortcuts for you to use. "K" to play/pause. to each side of that, you can use "J" and "L" will go back or forward 10 seconds. Left and right arrow keys for going back and forward 5 seconds. And "F" to toggle in and out of full screen. Hope that helps! :) Other commenters have covered the meaning of the song so I won't repeat that. For me, the driving bass line through the song is fantastic, I've loved it for decades.
The indigenous tribes of Australia, have been on these lands for over 60,000 years. European settlement in Australia came in January 1788; and in that time, no legal treaties have ever been signed. The indigenous tribes of Australia were never compensated, for the lose of the land on which they lived; the Australian Aborigines have a connection to the land that goes beyond western understanding, they live with the land in an almost symbiotic association.
They align with my politics, one reason for loving them, that's apart for their great music, their energy and passion in live performances, Pete's unique voice and his unreal dance moves. cheers Mike.
The video you accidentally clicked to about Mason Cox might be an interesting watch for you as well. The only American (Texan) to play in our AFL league. Australian Football is nothing like any other football you've probably seen before.
I'm pretty sure he's cued it because it's next in his list of reactions. I requested it via Buy Me A Coffee earlier in the week so I'm really looking forward to his reaction. Enjoy 😊
I bet this hit deep into your patriotic side haha. I loved the discomfort after realising what the message is about 😆 No offence brother, I just had a big laugh watching this. It was entertaining. Nice reaction. Keep it up!
it is about the aboriginal plight after the colonists came and marginalized disenfranchised and try to exterminate them - they took their land its about doing the right thing and compensating for all the damage that has been done to the indigenous people of australia
G'day, The lead singer followed his social conviction and went into polatics. A lot of people liked the music but not the Political aspect of the lead singer.
That’s one of the great things about Australian art. We can enjoy and appreciate things even if we don’t necessarily align with the political messaging.
Love the Oils!👍 yes, the song’s about the dispossession of the First Nations people from their land, and the imperative to “pay the rent” and give the land back. Despite many similarities between Aus and the US, a big difference is that we were colonized with the concept of Terra Nullius (“no-one’s land”), as the settlers didn’t recognize that the Aborigines had any ownership of the land at all. So there were never any treaties, and for a long time there were also official policies of what we now would call genocide - separating children from families, culture and language, and “breeding the black out”. It was only in 1992 that the High Court threw out the concept of Terra Nullius and recognized Aboriginal rights to their country, after which a formal procedure of assigning land rights and compensation was developed. There’s still a long way to go, and there are still no treaties, but progress has been made. Midnight Oil have strong connections with First Nations communities, and were one of the first bands to bring people’s attention to their plight (among other causes as well). And on top of that they are outstanding musicians and a truly great live band.
A lot of people assume that Aboriginal Land Rights means that they get to own land again - even in cities - wrong! They are talking about native title where the Govt. came in and said "Oh there are minerals we want ....GET OFF!! Now mining companies can have their way." Not too long ago almost every person in Australia was outraged [even knew some who sold their shares] because the Rio Tinto mining company blasted and destroyed a FORTY-SIX THOUSAND year old sacred site with cave art ...................... can't get that back ! Aboriginals got the right to vote in 1962, but in many places were unable until the '70's. My family has Aboriginal heritage [my great Grand Mother] but because we only go as brown as berries with too much sun [don't burn] we NEVER admitted that heritage while I was growing up [Baby Boomer]. It is really sad that the rights to sacred sites [not pretend ones that some claim] and some say over what happens to tribal lands is used as a political football.
For whatever reason, this was their biggest international hit. Great song, but not in their top 10 imo. For a deeper dive: Forgotten Years Power and the Passion Read About It (live - Oils on the Water) Short Memory King of the Mountain Kosciusko (live - Oils on the Water) Blue Sky Mine The Dead Heart US Forces Best of Both Worlds (live - Oils on the Water) Plenty more where that came from, but that will get you started! I would rate Midnight Oil among our best ever bands, along with AC/DC, Cold Chisel, INXS in particular.
Don't do "US Forces" 😄 Seriously though, Oils are yet another institution in this country, so many hard edged, political, anti-war, pro-environment, anti-racism, etc tunes. Power and the Passion is amazing. Short Memory, Mt Kosciusko, US Forces.... Man, you are really headed down the rabbit hole now. So much awesome Aussie music for you to uncover!!
Please, please, please react to live videos of these songs when available: Midnight Oil was a killer live band and their popularity was rooted in their live shows. The studio versions are pallid in comparison.
They were a definite political band. Although a lot of “blue collar guys” might not have agreed with the ideas in this particular song, “Blue Sky mine” was about big companies abuse of workers. They stood against anyone abusing power.
It’s about native title of the first nations aboriginal people of Australia . The title bed are burning is actually very dark and disturbing about Australian colonial pioneer history . The aboriginal people in some communities was burnt alive in their bed while they was asleep.
As relevant to native Americans as native Australians, neither were considered civilised humans in the past, they were primitive, as were we, just we had guns, boats and higher tech. But we can't all pack up and go back to England too much water under the bridge.
I have to say I am not a fan of ecological or political activist bands like these. Most Australians don't agree with Midnight Oils views as showcased by a recent referendum the government tried to foist onto our country which was soundly rejected. There must be an equitable way to deal with our aboriginal people but as of yet nobody has come up with a solution that works for everyone.
This is a political song about giving native Australian lands back to the Pintupi, who were among the very last people to come in from the desert. These "last contact" people began moving from the Gibson Desert to settlements and missions in the 1930s. More were forcibly moved during the 1950s and 1960s to the Papunya settlement. In 1981 they left to return to their own country and established the Kintore community which is nestled in the picturesque Kintore Ranges, surrounded by Mulga and Spinifex country. It is now a thriving little community with a population of about 400. Midnight Oil performed this in front of a worldwide audience of billions, (including Prime Minister John Howard, who has claimed it as his favourite Midnight Oil song) at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The whole band were dressed in black, with the words "sorry" printed conspicuously on their clothes. This was a reference to the Prime Minister's refusal to apologize, on behalf of Australia, to the Aboriginal Australians for the way they have been treated over the last 200 years. Peace out.
Australia's best political band. 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
Peter Garret, the singer, is a very bright guy, studied politics and law and went on to become a politician, Minister for Education and Youth and then Minister for Environment and Water, Shadow Minister for Climate Change. Interested in global and Australian environmental issues. During his politcal era his band continued to perform. His band Midnight Oil highlighted environmental issues and performed internationally including in the US where they had a large following. They performed and toured from 1976 until 2022 and no longer tour.
Not bright at all......just another ignorant Marxist with a uni degree in sucking socialist rear end and spreading their lies and stupidity.
Love midnight oil and what they stand for… blue sky mine, is another song from them that talks about how poorly people were treated who mined for asbestos, and the best bit is the lead singer went on to be a politician because he knew to make a change you have to be in the system that makes the rules
"Forgotten Years" is another great song by them, great reaction!
Midnight Oil were such an incredible band this song this is for all suppresed people especially the Aboriginal people
This song is instantly recognisable, from the first 3 notes. 🎉
Love the Oils!👍 yes, the song’s about the dispossession of the First Nations people from their land, and the imperative to “pay the rent” and give the land back.
Eric Bogle sings “and the band plays waltzing Matilda “. I have a feeling you may like this
Such a good and emotional song. I hope he reacts to it!
Hey Mike. Ashley is an old English name for boys or girls. It was popular in the 70s in Oz for both. These days the common use is Ashley for boys and Ashleigh for girls. Keep up the great work. POTTSY.
Hey Mike I told you when you started your channel that Aussies would come if you played John Farnham and other Aussie icons and look what's happened, congratulations. I'm pretty sure you didn't start out wanting to feature as an Australian reacter, sorry not sorry lol. I love that you've embraced our talent and even our culture a little bit. I'm sure your audience will expand and become more diverse over time. You're easy to like Mike, Aussies respect 'realness' if that makes sense so don't change.
Thankyou very much good sir!! Ashley is a unisex name here in Australia mate.
You more or less hit the nail on the head- the song is about the plight of indigenous Australians, not so much just the stolen land but also the murder of the innocent and the stealing of a generation of children, literally referred to as the stolen generation.
The topic is international, not just Australian! A sideways glance at America and Africa.
Never really been an Oils fan but appreciate their music.
Midnight Oil is an Aussie band with a message and a conscience. They are known and have played around the world. Check out, 'Stand In Line", in concert, in Sydney, where the drummer's initial driving drum-play is amazing.
This was a hit in different countries around the world including the US it basically became an anthem for indigineous peoples struggles everywhere.
also was "deadheart" that spoke to all indigenous cultures that had been exploited by the white man
I was a batsman in a cricket team in the Toowoomba competition in the late 90's, the only civilian in a team comprised of members from the Oakey Army Aviation Base. Great men who spoke highly of U.S forces personnel. It was always a great joke among them that your guys couldn't handle our beer and would stock up as much Bundaberg Rum as they were allowed to take home.
Hey mate, to save misclicks with youtube videos, here are some helpful keyboard shortcuts for you to use. "K" to play/pause. to each side of that, you can use "J" and "L" will go back or forward 10 seconds. Left and right arrow keys for going back and forward 5 seconds. And "F" to toggle in and out of full screen. Hope that helps! :)
Other commenters have covered the meaning of the song so I won't repeat that. For me, the driving bass line through the song is fantastic, I've loved it for decades.
The indigenous tribes of Australia, have been on these lands for over 60,000 years. European settlement in Australia came in January 1788; and in that time, no legal treaties have ever been signed. The indigenous tribes of Australia were never compensated, for the lose of the land on which they lived; the Australian Aborigines have a connection to the land that goes beyond western understanding, they live with the land in an almost symbiotic association.
They align with my politics, one reason for loving them, that's apart for their great music, their energy and passion in live performances, Pete's unique voice and his unreal dance moves. cheers Mike.
The video you accidentally clicked to about Mason Cox might be an interesting watch for you as well.
The only American (Texan) to play in our AFL league. Australian Football is nothing like any other football you've probably seen before.
I think it's time, to check out The AFL !! Mason Cox would be a great start.🤠🏉🪃
yeah, was thinking the same!
I'm pretty sure he's cued it because it's next in his list of reactions. I requested it via Buy Me A Coffee earlier in the week so I'm really looking forward to his reaction. Enjoy 😊
@JimmyJupp well done you!
🖤💛❤️ we are the same don't get me started ❤️ love this reaction wish I could sit an a conversation with you
I bet this hit deep into your patriotic side haha. I loved the discomfort after realising what the message is about 😆 No offence brother, I just had a big laugh watching this. It was entertaining. Nice reaction. Keep it up!
it is about the aboriginal plight after the colonists came and marginalized disenfranchised and try to exterminate them - they took their land its about doing the right thing and compensating for all the damage that has been done to the indigenous people of australia
G'day, The lead singer followed his social conviction and went into polatics. A lot of people liked the music but not the Political aspect of the lead singer.
Love the oils
It is political indeed. Australians have divided opinions about that too. Your sentiment is respected also.
Love the oils…but I gotta say my dancing makes Peter garrets look like Fred Astaire 🤣🤣🤣🤣
😂😂🤭
Not in agreeance with their political positions most of the time, but their music is great, no doubt about that.
That’s one of the great things about Australian art. We can enjoy and appreciate things even if we don’t necessarily align with the political messaging.
Agree. It's the music I love.
Love the Oils!👍 yes, the song’s about the dispossession of the First Nations people from their land, and the imperative to “pay the rent” and give the land back.
Despite many similarities between Aus and the US, a big difference is that we were colonized with the concept of Terra Nullius (“no-one’s land”), as the settlers didn’t recognize that the Aborigines had any ownership of the land at all. So there were never any treaties, and for a long time there were also official policies of what we now would call genocide - separating children from families, culture and language, and “breeding the black out”. It was only in 1992 that the High Court threw out the concept of Terra Nullius and recognized Aboriginal rights to their country, after which a formal procedure of assigning land rights and compensation was developed. There’s still a long way to go, and there are still no treaties, but progress has been made.
Midnight Oil have strong connections with First Nations communities, and were one of the first bands to bring people’s attention to their plight (among other causes as well). And on top of that they are outstanding musicians and a truly great live band.
A lot of people assume that Aboriginal Land Rights means that they get to own land again - even in cities - wrong! They are talking about native title where the Govt. came in and said "Oh there are minerals we want ....GET OFF!! Now mining companies can have their way."
Not too long ago almost every person in Australia was outraged [even knew some who sold their shares] because the Rio Tinto mining company blasted and destroyed a FORTY-SIX THOUSAND year old sacred site with cave art ...................... can't get that back ! Aboriginals got the right to vote in 1962, but in many places were unable until the '70's. My family has Aboriginal heritage [my great Grand Mother] but because we only go as brown as berries with too much sun [don't burn] we NEVER admitted that heritage while I was growing up [Baby Boomer]. It is really sad that the rights to sacred sites [not pretend ones that some claim] and some say over what happens to tribal lands is used as a political football.
Midnight oil .only the strong .live at Webster hall NYC 🇺🇸...is pritty good
In front of Exxon building FTW
For whatever reason, this was their biggest international hit.
Great song, but not in their top 10 imo.
For a deeper dive:
Forgotten Years
Power and the Passion
Read About It (live - Oils on the Water)
Short Memory
King of the Mountain
Kosciusko (live - Oils on the Water)
Blue Sky Mine
The Dead Heart
US Forces
Best of Both Worlds (live - Oils on the Water)
Plenty more where that came from, but that will get you started!
I would rate Midnight Oil among our best ever bands, along with AC/DC, Cold Chisel, INXS in particular.
Not in their top 30 songs imho.
Don't do "US Forces" 😄 Seriously though, Oils are yet another institution in this country, so many hard edged, political, anti-war, pro-environment, anti-racism, etc tunes. Power and the Passion is amazing. Short Memory, Mt Kosciusko, US Forces.... Man, you are really headed down the rabbit hole now. So much awesome Aussie music for you to uncover!!
Please, please, please react to live videos of these songs when available: Midnight Oil was a killer live band and their popularity was rooted in their live shows. The studio versions are pallid in comparison.
Have you lined up the Mason Cox “Don’t Believe in Never” AFL video for a reaction?
If so, a great choice.
They were a definite political band.
Although a lot of “blue collar guys” might not have agreed with the ideas in this particular song, “Blue Sky mine” was about big companies abuse of workers. They stood against anyone abusing power.
He's talking about the 3% of Australians who mistlly live in abject poverty with heakth afflictions, kife expectancy considerably lower than other Australians. Unlike other countries like Cansda, the US and New Zealand there was mever any tresty with Australians because the official English disciverer couldn't treat with them. Officially Aborigines were fauna, not counted in the census, not able to move freely, had their part European children renoved and weren't gicen the vote until 1967
A fanous case brought by a Torres Stait Iskabder cakked Eddie Mabo established that Australia had been taken without treatyy or compensation frok its orihinak inhabitants contrary to conmon law and exceot where crown land was cteated everything else is in effect owned by Aborigines where they can demonstrate an ongoing connection to the land. As moxh as 73% of mainland Australia is affected.
When he sings about a desert at 45© hes meaning Celsius, so about 110°F
You are doing very well...especially considering you seem to have been hijacked by Aussies...😂😂😂
Like every reactor... it seems...
It’s about native title of the first nations aboriginal people of Australia .
The title bed are burning is actually very dark and disturbing about Australian colonial pioneer history .
The aboriginal people in some communities was burnt alive in their bed while they was asleep.
Should react to Yothu Yindi if you haven’t already
Yes they are saying what you said and no Aboriginal people are not 😢
Politically a texas law man is not gonna agree with this song guys...lol ... read the room
As relevant to native Americans as native Australians, neither were considered civilised humans in the past, they were primitive, as were we, just we had guns, boats and higher tech.
But we can't all pack up and go back to England too much water under the bridge.
Indigenous yes absolutely but alot of Aussies diggers died defending us all
My least favourite Midnight Oil song but i recognise its popularity. I much prefer "One Country", "Bedlam Bridge" or "Antarctica" by Midnight Oil
ONLY 1 AMERICAN. Playing AFL Aussie rules football..on utube ..Mason cox don't believe in never
As your average blue collar Aussie....Don't mind the Oils music but don't necessary agree with there political views!
Midnight oil make good music but they're proof that you don't have to be able to hold a note to be a singer
I have to say I am not a fan of ecological or political activist bands like these. Most Australians don't agree with Midnight Oils views as showcased by a recent referendum the government tried to foist onto our country which was soundly rejected. There must be an equitable way to deal with our aboriginal people but as of yet nobody has come up with a solution that works for everyone.
Very sad we sure have a long way to go to change people’s narrow minded views
Wow.. please don’t speak for me
Big stretch to say “most Australians” don’t agree.
@@bernbee1679 exactly especially when most Australians I know agree with midnight oils beliefs.
@@bernbee1679 Well that was shown by the failure of the referendum so your agreement is null and void mate.