CATCHY!! 🎵 Midnight Oil - Beds Are Burning REACTION

This is our first time listening to Midnight Oil. Beds Are Burning is an interesting song but we need you to help us out.
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Original #MidnightOil #BedsAreBurning video: • Midnight Oil - Beds Ar...
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[@s.mcpherson6354]

This is the first big song I recall that was about, (Australian), Aboriginal or Native Land Rights. In 1986 it proved to be wildly ahead of its time.

[@joachimbehr2049]

could be possible but i thinke it s the same and i have the simillar coiffeur

[@PjRjHj]

Goanna - Solid Rock

[@Viraxii]

Yeah they where literally singing Australia belongs to the aboriginies

[@pyrmontbridge4737]

Not really ahead of it's time. Land rights have been an issue for a much longer time. In fact, I would say that people are more quiet on this topic today.

[@lynefrances726]

@@pyrmontbridge4737 when Aboriginals were fighting for land rights in the 70s and 80s our Politicians refused to budge. After hundreds of petitions from nearly all Australians and protests at Parliament house in Canberra, they began talks with the Elders and it was sorted out. That's why at a lot of towns and cities there are signs stating who the traditional land owners are and what tribe owned that land. Hence Peter Garretts line ' It's time to pay our rent, it's time to pay our share' Garrett was a big part of pushing Politicians to do the right thing. That's why you don't hear about it anymore. It was conciliated in the late 80s.

[@billpo]

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.

[@grimsbyuk8311]

Correct. Shameful treatment of the indigenous peoples of Australia.

[@novah589]

@@chrishowls7545 To say they were welcomed to take part in an advanced society is disingenuous, it was forced upon them. Imagine thinking it's okay to have your identity and culture forcibly taken away in the name of progress.

[@dmCurator]

Thank you for the info. Did not know that. 👍

[@65cj55]

@@novah589 That never happened.

[@65cj55]

@@grimsbyuk8311 Talk to the Elder Indigenous Women about Life pre-White Man, it wasn't Fun, lots of abuse, no age of Consent etc etc..

[@jgsheehan8810]

it's about Land Rights for Australia's indigenous peoples. Midnight Oil did a few tours out in the deserts, including with indigenous musicians. "Holden wrecks and boiling diesels" holden was the Aussie GM brand, like our Chev or Pontiac if you like. Lots and lots of 4wds out in the country areas of Australia, lots being diesel powered to get the required range before refills.

[@davet1517]

some got stuck

[@jaynagerber7474]

@Janthony In this context, indigenous peoples are the ones who lived there prior to the European migrations (15th-19th centuries, i.e. 1400-1800s). For North America, it would be Native Americans. For Central and South America it would be Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans. For Australia it would be Aboriginals.

[@jaynagerber7474]

@Janthony This term (as commonly used and applied) is specifically being used in conjunction with the European explorations and migrations of the 15th-19th centuries (i.e., 1400s-1800s). Although the word in and of itself could be applied to ANY time period or group, the common usage is only for the native peoples in those areas during that specific time period. Although I can understand your point of the never-ending rabbit hole, that doesn't apply in this case, as the indigenous peoples specifically mentioned in the song (and also shown in the music video) are the Aborigines in Australia.

[@jaynagerber7474]

Additionally, the term is only applicable for the specific time when the first Europeans came in contact with that culture/geographical point, since those people from first contact can potentially be either diluted due to interbreeding with Europeans or in some cases, completely replaced before further contact with other European groups later on (either due to the original group being pushed out physically and being replaced by either European groups or other local populace, or dying off completely due to either genocide or diseases).

[@jaynagerber7474]

And as far as your point about earlier migration goes, no one can truely say, as that was all before recorded history (with some exceptions)...you can speculate, and there is new archeological evidence that has been found (such as viking landings in North America far earlier than the Spanish explorations of the late 1400s), but without conclusive evidence, no one can prove for sure who migrated where or when, or where these people originally came from (with some exceptions, of course).

[@classiclife7204]

Not surprisingly, the singer became an actual politician. Every song of theirs was like a white paper on various socio-economic issues affecting Australia. Great band!

[@jesuschristpose896]

Absolutely, when you learn what he is singing about it makes the song even greater ,like in most countries, one way or the other can relate to this song

[@joachimbehr2049]

so you dont knwo about the scientifik reaserch ofthe 70s

[@coopsnz1]

Taxes increasing since 1983 why more poverty today. The poverty line in Australia is earning $50000 because you robbed by Government with high excise taxes on fuel " liquar " cigreetes " cars = $18000 to Government in taxes and that if you don't buy new car " new bike " new tv " new furniture tax more

[@Quinctili]

@@coopsnz1 the top 10%of Australians already pay 52% of all tax collected. The top 20% pay 80% of taxes. The bottom 50%, being children and Labor voting Centrelink heroes pay virtually nothing. Yertalkingcrap. Everything you can see or will ever see has been created and paid for Financial Conservatives. The Left has failed miserably worldwide for w70 years, Labor hasn't produced a surplus since 1989. The Left can only ever exist as a parasite on the work and organisational capacity of Financial Conservatives.

[@coopsnz1]

@@Quinctili 50% tax middle class, buy a $80000 car your tax 75% . Taxes go up if you buy new furniture or a tv

[@pauljansen1137]

Fun Fact....years after this song the Lead Singer became a minister in Australia....

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

And hes still on message...👍🏼

[@simontyne3032]

He is a sell out.

[@44mickd]

And now Australia’s burning.

[@paullohrisch257]

And he was stitched up by his own political party.

[@docgonzales]

Minister as in a political member of the Senate of the national government, not a religious Minister.

[@johnanderson8096]

The Lead Singer is Peter Garrett... he goes 6'6"... What a Stage Presence he had.... Combined with a Unique Dancing Style.... Midnight Oil was Awesome.... Live Particularly!!!!

[@joachimbehr2049]

yes yor wrigt and dont what i wrote above i m only a german

[@johnanderson8096]

@Zeb Rat Had a chance to see them in Byron Bay 86'... that was the first time I had heard of them... Saw them twice in the States... Excellent Concerts X 1000... Im still working on forgiving myself for not seeing them Down Under...!!!

[@CVLova]

i thought he was gonna go into the hakken/gabber dance lmao

[@Charon241]

Was? They just put out a new single.

[@pyrmontbridge4737]

@@joachimbehr2049 I don't believe you're German. You're English is not good enough.

[@MARSHOMEWORLD]

Midnight Oil were such a tremendous yet undervalued band here in the States. Great catchy songs, solid ecological and pro humanitarian lyrics... Just quality stuff in general. Their singer went on to some political aspirations in their native Australia where I believe he used his position to try and keep the policies for the indigenous cultures in Australia front-and-center. It's excellent to see the band getting some love here, they were truly unique.

[@jeffreycherep8264]

Thank you so much for not using "underrated".

[@65cj55]

The were just bleeding-heart clueless clowns, pushing a Culture War for Profit, Garrett's short Political Career done the Country no favors.

[@hbg99x]

Saw them here in the OC in the 90s; killed; just killed--great band w/an equally important message.

[@1967sfoman]

They have a new album and farewell tour as well. 2022

[@hbg99x]

@@1967sfoman Really?! You just made my day, sir.

[@elaine8013]

Being half native American this song hits hard and deep. We're tired of being removed from our lands and into reservations, missions and projects.

[@jojowhite9296]

Word Elaine!!!

[@sharp1667]

I feel for your people Elaine. I have always been fascinated by the Native American culture.

[@pho3nixinflight]

It’s 2021 dude you’re not being forced to live in a reservation. At some point “your” land belonged to someone else, it’s just the way the world is.

[@elaine8013]

@@pho3nixinflight not everyone on yt lives in USA. Some of us live in or come from countries where this is still happening

[@jojowhite9296]

@@pho3nixinflight That's the way history has always played out!

[@sourisvoleur4854]

Their song "Forgotten Years" is about the forgotten ANZACs (Australian and New Zealand soldiers of the First World War). Emotionally powerful as anything. Well worth a listen, if only offline (i.e. not as a reaction). Bring your tissues.

[@ronparsons8786]

Great song

[@speleokeir]

A song in a similar vein is The Pogues 'Waltzing Matilda'. Strictly speaking it's a cover but I love this version. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYvUf2Sdod9ngLs

[@bobbyscarfo2544]

I agree with the 3 responses completely....

[@shmick6079]

Yeah that’s my favourite Oils song.

[@stormmontpelier8681]

80's music literally had EVERYTHING! I truly believe it is one of the most innovative decades in music

[@narjiicday-burns6944]

Seen midnight not long ago legends that wrote some bangers 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼 this song is about my Aboriginal people of Australia 🖤💛❤️ its about taken land without treaty's still the only Commonwealth country that has not given a treaty to its first nationa people

[@MrManfly]

We here in Canada have been trying to bend over backwards for the aboriginal people, and we have treaties, but much more could still be done for them!

[@zq9m3xh8]

It IS a very catchy song, with a terrific groove.

[@daviddundas4140]

In the US they put a dance beat to it and played it in clubs, which really pissed Peter Garrett off, its a protest song not a dance track he said.

[@MELODYMUNRO]

With a very serious message.

[@elbruces]

FYI, 45 degrees Celsius is 113 degrees Fahrenheit.

[@garibaldi54]

And that was 35 years ago, its hotter now.

[@michaelakkerman407]

I always loved BLUE SKY MINE by MIDNIGHT OIL a touch better, but this song bangs!!!

[@jimcarlson6157]

I doubt the sugar refinery will save me, but I love that tune

[@quincee3376]

Me too!! Loved that song. Love this one too of course but that was my favourite.

[@daviddundas4140]

Its about Australia's worst ever Industrial accident, the Blue Asbestos mine in Wittenoom WA, It was originally started by Lang Hancock, who then onsold it to the Chelsea sugar company, hence "the sugar refining company wont save me" line

[@vcancer]

@@daviddundas4140 Love this song alone with Put Down That Weapon and The Dead Heart.

[@dizziemisslizzie4040]

I love that one too

[@dipsydoodle7988]

I have every one of their albums and saw them live several times. They were absolutely electric in concert. I remember the first time I heard them I didn't think I liked his voice, but it grew on me super fast. They haven't got a bad song, and I'm not even exaggerating. Just another great Aussie band. We were spoiled with these guys and INXS and Men at Work in the 80s. They had a very different sound then bands from anywhere else.

[@benshafer5198]

Nice! These guys are great. They were big in the late 80's, early 90's & lot of great tunes like 'Blue Sky Mine' and my personal favorite 'Dreamworld.' Peter Garrett, the singer was actually elected to the Australian House of Representatives for the Labor Party, and subsequently became a Minister before retiring from politics a few years ago. Very conscientious band. They got back together in 2016, and are still active

[@helencherry9133]

I am SO stoked...After being a US fan of theirs since about this video's time, I FINALLY have my ticket to see them for the 1st time in June 2022 when they play in Chicago! Resist is a really strong album.

[@MrManfly]

This album was the only one I owned by Midnight Oil and I still enjoy it to this day !!

[@erlstone]

I grew with these guys as an Aussie.. saw them twice back then, all their albums are well done

[@daviddundas4140]

Is 10 to 1 your favorite? its mine

[@martinhayward4466]

@@daviddundas4140 Mine too, but a lot. Also have a lot of time for Earth & Sun & Moon.

[@daviddundas4140]

@@martinhayward4466 Diesel and Dust was voted the best Australian album in the book "100 Greatest Australian albums, Flowers Icehouse was 93, a travesty if you ask me :-)

[@martinhayward4466]

@@daviddundas4140 Agree with that.

[@jcost0099]

Oils and the Gurus were the SHIT!!!! back in the day. It made your other exports like Occy more tolerable! lol

[@cometogether999]

It always upset me that they didn't use the didgeridoo in this song. Brad would recognize it from playing Didgeridoo Hero video game.

[@paullohrisch257]

I wish they put even more aboriginals in the film clip. Aussies know what the song is about but foreigners can't quite understand what it's about. Putting more aboriginals in the film clip may have made it a little more self explanatory.

[@Peridolin]

Listen to "The Dead Heart".

[@LA80sMike]

I saw them back in the 80’s at a Los Angeles Street Fair, they were incredible, but the sheer stage presence of Peter Garrett was imposing!! I got their message and have been a fan since. “Blue Sky Mining” is another heavy hitter.

[@kevinm3428]

The song is about repaying the original people of Australia, the Aborigines, when Britain shipped their convicts there (after losing the Revolutionary War, and could no longer ship them away to America) and they set up settlements and pushed them off their land.

[@laxyyorma7016]

Well, the biggest part of America still was part of the Empire, it was/is called Canada.

[@MrWestie1985]

My daily shout out for Roads or Glory Box by Portishead live from Roseland NYC ✌️

[@christian7951]

I almost forgot how much I love this song thanks for remember it 👌

[@BlackieNuff]

Oct 20, 2019 - Meaning of the Title (“Beds Are Burning”) ... According to Hirst, the title is actually meant to highlight the richness of the aboriginal spirit. 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. Regarding the line, "From Kintore East to Yuendemu," Yuendemu is an aboriginal community in Central Australia, 250 Kilometers northwest of Alice Springs. >> Midnight Oil performed this in front of a worldwide audience of billions, (including Prime Minister John Howard, who has claimed it as his favorite 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. Diesel and Dust is ranked the #1 Australian album of all time in Toby Creswell, Craig Mathieson and John O'Donnell's book, The 100 Best Australian Albums, which was published in 2010. The runner-up is AC/DC's 1980 classic record Back in Black. In 2001 the Australasian Performing Right Association placed this at #3 (behind the Easybeats' "Friday On My Mind" and Daddy Cool's "Eagle Rock") on their list of the Top 30 Australian Songs of the past 75 years. Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett spoke of the tune's enduring power. "In retrospect it was the song we were born to record. It's got all the bits to make it work, strong rhythms, good melody and the lyrics had some punch, while being very Aussie," he explained. "It took a while to stick. It's incredible how much it still gets played around the place... Who would have thought an Aboriginal land rights song would travel that far?"

[@malalexander3515]

One of favourites by a great band, protest songs pertinent to Australia and to the world. I'm an Aussie of course, grew up with this!

[@acebrockton1828]

In the 80's we used light our beds in fire as soon as we woke up. It really pissed off our parents but oh well...

[@saverioc2929]

Settlers who occupied Australia did to the natives the same things the Settlers did to the Indians in the US. Some very horrific things. It's amazing how some people have no regard for other cultures, their land and human life.

[@jd0604]

Every culture on earth has replaced someone elses at some point. Not saying its great but here we are.

[@1776SOL]

@@jd0604 Very true... While I'll never be surprised about what evils humans can inflict on fellow humans, this BS false narrative of Pacific, Indian, & Caribbean Islands, the continents of Asia, Africa, Australia, North & South America filled with peaceful, benevolent native tribes living in complete utopian peace & harmony until the evil European Colonist is just moronic, not to mention counter-factual.

[@darrenhill2326]

How far do you want to go back ? It's been going on since mankind existed.

[@lynefrances726]

Sorry but that's not quite right. You might want to go back and check our history. Their was originally blood shed from both sides. Having never seen a white man before they thought they were Demons. That is fact. Most died from not having immunity to new diseases colonisers brought with them. They traded with the White's so disease spread unintentionally. Colonisers didn't need them for slaves because they had their own white slaves, most of those so called criminals were set up by police in England to ship off over here. They tortured their own, not Aboriginals, who incidently hate the term Aboriginal they use the term Indigenous

[@Mrmikey0909]

@@jd0604 So, do you think that they deserve reparations for being murdered, thrown of their land etc or just suck it up as it has been done elsewhere?

[@mr.intamin1081]

The lyrics are super important for this song.

[@alphaomega7191]

An amazing live band

[@bobschenkel7921]

The very last noise in the video, the squeaking windmill, is a sound effect from the Sergio Leone film Once Upon A Time In The West, where it is at the beginning of the film.

[@flamestergirl]

Although those windmills are a common sight all over the country side in Australia.

[@bobschenkel7921]

@@flamestergirl The picture was surely Australian, but the sound is pure Leone. I have all his movies in my collection, and once you hear that particular sound, you don't forget it.

[@TheNeonParadox]

This was one of those bands that got me into foreign political issues. This whole album was very politically charged from front to back.

[@mauroricardobarboza2121]

"Truganini","The Dead Heart" and "Blue Sky Mine"

[@user-sj8vm9bq7p]

Peter Garrett is a force of nature. Check out this band live in South Africa, at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. This song was chosen to be played at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

[@jonathanmartin3767]

That album, diesel and dust, is great from beginning to end.

[@noelle7714]

I loved this song, so catchy makes you wanna get up and dance 💃

[@bellahexdanna3220]

The line is "how can we dance when our earth is turning, how do we sleep while our beds are burning."

[@DiscoTimelordASD]

Yothu Yindi's "Treaty" is a song by an Indigenous Australian artist about the plight of their people and also shows you their culture.

[@normanleroy1874]

Great song, it's about Australia and it's treatment of the Aborigines. I believe the impetus for the song was controversy over Aboriginal land that was taken over by the military. Aussies in the comments can give the actual story, but that's what I remember.

[@scottmatzeder9162]

This was a Mega Hit when it came out!

[@cblchildrenspython]

Midnight Oil was a big advocate for the aboriginal natives of Australia. This song still rocks today and still retains it's message in today's times

[@Bootleg-King]

Still listening in 2024 ❤

[@DrumsTheWord]

I just recorded a lesson for the drums on this song. Thought I'd check out some reactions...and you guys came up for first. Firstly, I love your thoughtfulness and consideration to the lyrics. Secondly...it's Australia, guys. Anyway, I really love your sincere and natural reactions. I can't get enough of American life and your thoughts x

[@DrumsTheWord]

Lex, you said Australia at some point. Forgive me! You even knew it was trumpets. Some reactionaries wouldn't even recognise that instrument these days. Big fan of the 80's as well!

[@NevadaJohnny]

Bout time! The greatest Australian band. So many amazing songs.

[@heathcornbeef]

First time i saw these dudes was 1983 sweetwaters music festival. awesome 13 year's old with dad for 3 days of LIVE MUSIC MIDNIGHT OIL/SPLIT ENZ/TOOT'S AND THE MAYTALS/THE CHURCH/ THE SCREAMING ME MEES/DD SMASH/ And plenty more i can't remember those ones above though for a 13 year old boy to this Brocken old 52 year i will never forget that weekend with dad the first of 3 sweetwaters music festival with dad will never forget it

[@kainsith2215]

Loved this song since i was a kid

[@sexysadie1]

"Bring On The Dancing Horses" by Echo And The Bunnymen, and "How Soon Is Now", by The Smiths are pretty awesome songs!

[@OronOfMontreal]

One of the great politically motivated bands of the 80s. SO political that the lead singer eventually became a Member of Parliament in Australia. I remember reading a review in about 1981, of their show in Ottawa, where I went to university. Apparently they put on a terrific show and the lead singer, very very tall, had an impressive stage presence and energy.

[@wazza1085]

Listen to anything at all from their 10 to 1 album. Every track is a banger.

[@mikecaetano]

Midnight Oil's Diesel and Dust album owned alt-rock radio in 1988. "Beds Are Burning" was the second single from it. "The Dead Heart" was the first. I'll never forget the time that summer when I went down to Imperial Beach, just south of San Diego, with a buddy one Saturday and watching as three homeless dudes jumped up and started dancing atop the three foot concrete wall separating the beach from the boardwalk when the "The Dead Heart" came blasting out of a radio somebody else had brought. "Forty thousand years can make a difference to the state of things..." When you're ready for more from Midnight Oil, check out "Blue Sky Mine", "Power and The Passion", and "U.S. Forces" among others.

[@kaisterr]

Aha didn't expect this. They've got some great songs. Try Blue Sky Mining, Forgotten Years, Put Down That Weapon

[@craigplatel813]

Jimmy sharmens boxers also

[@Mark-xx3gh]

They had another big hit “Blue Sky Mine” which is worth checking out. I had the album back in the day, but I don’t remember any of the other tracks on it.

[@flamestergirl]

They have had many hits in Australia and Europe, the U.S. was a bit slow catching on or the record companies were hesitant because of the political nature of the band to air many of their songs, who knows.

[@eviekelpie1]

One of Australia's biggest groups. They're talking about giving the land back to the Aboriginals. Australian indigenous people

[@brendonstockdale4437]

Live , they leave you breathless . Oils on the water . " Stand in line " .

[@clivesangster6754]

One of the great Australian bands

[@charleswindsor1184]

Possibly the most political band we've heard. They were tremendous in their time & prophetic. Listen to the today & the message is still spot-on. "It belongs to them, we're going to give it back".

[@piggystardust]

In Australia, the singer of Midnight Oil became Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. Later Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth.

[@happymethehappyone8300]

MIDNIGHT OIL "THE DEAD HEART",, "BLUE SKY MINE",, "PUT DOWN THAT WEAPON",, "TRUGANINI" & "KING OF THE MOUNTAIN"

[@martinhayward4466]

Indigenous themes were their main platform, but they were unbelievably good musicians, Bones on bass, Rob Hirst stellar drummer , Jim Moginie the musical heart and soul, and Rotsey a great 2nd guitarist.

[@ManetInAEternum]

I'd like to see if you guys could check out "End of the Line" by "The Traveling Wilburys". They are group of some of the best minds in rock and roll. Bob Dylan Tom Petty Jeff Lynn Roy Orbison George Harrison

[@groovygrovejuiceco1760]

I saw them live in 1987 at the Hordern Pavillion in Sydney. I was in the front row and it absolutely went off. Peter Garrett was right in front of me dancing like a lunatic. Best concert ever.

[@1967sfoman]

Yes! 80's protest songs by midnight oil helped me to survive my teens.

[@shmick6079]

Midnight Oil is one of Australia’s greatest ever bands. They’re up there with AC/DC, Cold Chisel, and INXS. You should do some more of their songs. Also, you should really check out the classic live show “Oils on the Water”. Maybe do a reaction of “Best of Both Worlds” or “US Forces” from that show.

[@Peridolin]

Midnight Oil is fire! Please listen to more. I recommend "The Power and the Passion".

[@stevebengel1346]

A sadly forgotten song these days

[@1969cmp]

....from the Oils on Water concert. 😀

[@Peridolin]

@@1969cmp That was a special day.

[@oakhillfound847]

One of the best Australian bands of all tihe.

[@mattycobby27]

Amazing tune!!! Never gets old

[@jno5]

It’s about Australia and the Aboriginal people who’s land was stolen by the White British colonisation. The song is about their rights and giving back what’s rightfully is theirs (the same happened in America with the Indigenous people having their land taken, but that’s not mentioned)….. I been a fan since the first time I heard this song and have seen them in concert, lots of other great Oils songs most are political or environmental….

[@lbd-po7cl]

The song’s about acknowledging First Nations people’s in Australia as the traditional owners of the land. White Australia has never even had a treaty with the Aboriginal people, and their land was taken without any compensation or acknowledgment. The song talks about “paying the rent” and “giving it back” to the traditional owners.

[@shelleybleu4903]

Australia had a “white Australia policy“ until the late 60s or early 70s. Lived in Australia for 7 years in the 1980s and as the Australians would say, there weren’t very many “ethnics” in Australia at that time. Very insular country then.

[@lbd-po7cl]

@@shelleybleu4903 officially, the White Australia policy was ended in 1973. Aborigines weren’t even considered citizens under the constitution until 1967 when a referendum changed that (overwhelmingly, with something like 97%, which is almost impossible under our referendum laws, so there was at least a clear agreement for change). And it wasn’t until a High Court ruling in the early 90s that the legal framework of Terra Nullius (no one’s land, whereby it was deemed First Nations people never had rights or ownership of traditional lands) was thrown out and national land rights became a thing. So there’s a lot to be ashamed of here in Australia, I agree. Having said that, much of that mindset has dramatically shifted in the last 3 decades, and the country is far more inclusive than ever before, and celebrates multicultural society. That doesn’t mean things can’t improve, and the treatment and inclusion of First Nations people is one area we still need to work on.

[@edith6797]

I love this song!!!it was no 1 in the 80's in New Zealand .

[@charliejohnson7751]

OMG ! while listening to this fine reaction i saw you have a Halestorm reaction. So happy !

[@ronparsons8786]

Blue Sky Mine and Forgotten Years are also great songs by them

[@davidavi8554]

Very distinct sound for sure, it's that Aussie sound. Great band, check out any of their songs on the Blue Sky Mine album, it is all great songs. I warn you though, it is very different and takes awhile to get used to the beat and sounds. I loved that cassette I had and played the heck out of it.

[@richardwilkinson1318]

Hi,got to see Midnight oil a few years ago,when they toured New Zealand.Such an amazing band,they have a real stage presence!

[@finbarrhughes5843]

What a fantastic song, one of my favourites

[@joecrumpler6865]

You must try Power and the Passions, off of 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 by the Oils- An amazing song and on my top 100.

[@methos3135]

Had a feeling this would eventually come. You have to check out "Dreamworld" by them. My favorite MO song.

[@viewfromthehighchair9391]

"The Dead Heart" is another great Midnight Oil song.

[@Buydirectincstore]

Growing up as a Teen in the 80's was the Greatest time & some of the Best Music!!!

[@frankgarcia1]

Im glad you guys did this song. 100% applies to today.

[@Robert-hz7ef]

I recommend checking out Stand In Line live.

[@charlesprovencher6918]

For me, this might be the catchiest song of all time.. I LOVE IT!!

[@Rock_Snob]

I was blessed to see Midnight Oil 6 times here in Los Angeles!!! Great live act!

[@rayocaster6536]

Brad-- You are lead singer in this operation.. the front man, so to speak. Lex is the instruments, you are the front man. Something to remember is that the singing is more than the lyrics; it's about the singer conveying meaning and emotion to audience. Perhaps you should give the lyrics a quick read before you listen so you can have a small foundation about the song. Then, you could really focus of the delivery of the singer, the emotion of the singer, the way they are singing not to you but rather FOR YOU. Truth be told, most people at rock shows are fired up about all the instrumentation, but just as important is how that singer connects with crowd and how those vocal melodies are playing are contributing their own instrument. Live videos are great for seeing that. Yes, focus on story and words, but also focus on the presentation, the emotion, the way the singer is reaching out and sharing. Words and Music, bro. Words and Music.

[@MrMike4017]

Now react to "The Dead Heart"

[@whiteshadow59]

NICE. Much love from Australia!

[@carlbaker7242]

So original, so beautiful.

[@gems3604]

Suggestion: Maybe before you react to a song, you get the basic information of the name of the artist, the year of the song and genre. I don't understand why you have to guess the year. Midnight Oil was an Australian rock band. The song was released in 1987. I had heard this song once before on the radio, but I had no clue about the meaning of the song until I read the comments on this forum. Maybe as part of your reaction you could do a quick real time search on the internet to find out some facts. This song is about the aboriginals of Australia and the fight to get their land rights restored. In America this is a familiar story. I don't understand why you would think the people shown in the video could be European or South African. A shout out to the commenters for educating everyone about basic facts. But, personally it is irritating to hear "catchy song" in response to the plight of people who have to fight for their very existence. Yes, you did ask for help to understand the song, but as I stated earlier, a quick look before you react or just after would enhance your reaction and maybe boost our appreciation. In any case this was a really good pick and very thought provoking in these troubling times.

[@artsilva]

I agree. They tend to not do their basic homework on these reactions. Yes they can argue that they want the "first time" experience of discovering a song but as most of us who grew up with this music would already know or quickly discover the band's origin and when it came out because we were there and radio DJs always announced who they were and where from. Today knowing those two simple facts going Into the reaction is equal to us hearing it back in the day. Besides, it seems that world history and geography is not a thing anymore in schools otherwise the people in the video and surroundings would be a dead giveaway and answer most of their questions... which is ANOTHER reason to get some basic info before making a reaction. A simple Wikipedia search will do,,, but then they know every comment like ours is good for their YT algorithm. Rewarding ignorance is the new thing I guess.

[@aussiepie4865]

You do realise that a “catchy” song is a huge bonus when making a massive political point in a song. A song like treaty by Yothu Yindi taught the majority Australia about the indigenous people because it was very catchy.

[@POZZA691]

I think its an American thing. Most Americans no very little about the rest of the world. Lexs comment about it been in the middle east.. please do a little research

[@veraperezguarnieri4786]

agree. they have no clue about anyone, anywhere, anything at all. I just wonder ...

[@artsilva]

@@POZZA691 I would say that is true in the last couple decades, or with millennials. Somewhere down the line American and World history seems to have been void of any curriculum. People who were introduced to this music/videos back in the 80's pretty much knew what was going on and could instantly connect all the references. I was watching Forrest Gump the other day with some 20-somethings and they could not recognize or understand most of the obvious American Historical references in that film. It was embarrassing a shame, and sad to think that these people are our future... hey but they can point out any rap artist or reality TV show star in a split second.

[@robertzander9723]

That's definitely not a fun song, it has a serious meaning and background story about the treatment of the aborigines in Australia. In Brazil and big parts of the Amazon forest for example, we have to same issues.

[@denisobrien4253]

In North America , in the USA ' Mexico and Canada the original inhabitants have been scarcely any better treated by all the settlers voluntarily or involuntary than Australia.

[@chrissibersky4617]

The singers name is Michael Berryman. He first got famous for his role in the horror movie "The Hills Have Eyes" 1977.

[@joeturner100]

so glad you're reacting to alternative/indie music from this era---haven't heard that song in a million years!

[@floorticket]

No politics!! ... just kidding, unavoidable with this one.

[@franknabozny6062]

C'mon handy Brady, train those ears without lyric videos. Practice makes perfect. 👏

[@CryptikConstruct]

Rob Hirst is a drumming God!

[@shaundgb7367]

oh, the power and the passion...

[@Areyousayingidontknowmyname]

Personally i think he and Angus Young power the planet :)

[@matthewcullen1298]

I fell in love with this song in 87. We used to go roller skating every Wednesday for school sports 😁😂 i loved skating but it was a bludge (slacking off). I used to speed skate to this song along with bon Jovi.

[@derekdenton8689]

“Truganini” and “The Dead Heart” are two more fantastic songs on the same subject - the theft of Australian Aboriginals’ land and culture. You have to respect any band that a)writes songs with those unforgettable choruses, which b) introduced me to a whole history and set of issues I knew NOTHING about before hearing them.

[@selmaroberson4447]

Derek Denton much respect to you I,m indigenous

[@slartybartfarst5953]

Beautiful song.

[@lesliewoodley2384]

Classic!!!

[@aurynforartax6037]

Wow this brings back memories. They were my first concert! Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers along with Hothouse Flowers opened for them. I won tickets to the concert from the local radio station. Very good show. Thanks for the nostalgia. Great job with your musical journey too. Cheers.

[@Brandi6666]

Such a great tune🤘❤️

[@danw3735]

Still hear this song almost every day on the radio here in Australia. Never gets old.

[@FRANK-pp9qd]

It's Australia, It's basiclly the same situation as our American Indians, how we took their land and put them on a reservation and treated them like third class citizens.

[@chedelirio6984]

This was played during the closing of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, with all of them wearing shirts reading "sorry", alluding to the cause.