Beds Are Burning - Midnight Oil

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Midnight Oil

About Beds Are Burning

"Beds Are Burning" is a 1987 song by the Australian rock band Midnight Oil, the first track from their album Diesel and Dust. This song was released as the second single from the album. It reached No. 1 in New Zealand, South Africa and Canada, No. 3 in the Netherlands, No. 5 in France, No. 6 in the United Kingdom, Australia and Ireland, No. 17 in the United States and Sweden. It is one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and it was named number 95 on VH1's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s and number 97 by the Triple J Hottest 100 of All Time in 2009. In May 2001, Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) celebrated its 75th anniversary by naming the Best Australian Songs of all time, as decided by a 100 strong industry panel. "Beds Are Burning" was declared third behind the Easybeats' "Friday on My Mind" and Daddy Cool's "Eagle Rock". In January 2018, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Beds Are Burning" was ranked number 9. more »

35,340 Views Out where the river broke The bloodwood and the desert oak Holden wrecks and boiling diesels Steam in forty-five degrees The time has come to say fair's fair To pay the rent, to pay our share The time has come, a fact's a fact It belongs to them, let's give it back How can we dance when our earth is turning? How do we sleep while our beds are burning? How can we dance when our earth is turning? How do we sleep while our beds are burning? The time has come to say fair's fair To pay the rent now, to pay our share Four wheels scare the cockatoos From Kintore, east to Yuendemu The Western Desert lives and breathes In forty-five degrees The time has come to say fair's fair To pay the rent, to pay our share The time has come, a fact's a fact It belongs to them, let's give it back How can we dance when our earth is turning? How do we sleep while our beds are burning? How can we dance when our earth is turning? How do we sleep while our beds are burning? The time has come to say fair's fair To pay the rent now, to pay our share The time has come, a fact's a fact It belongs to them, we're gonna give it back How can we dance when our earth is turning? How do we sleep while our beds are burning?

Midnight Oil

Midnight Oil (also known informally as "The Oils" to fans), were an Australian alternative rock band from Sydney originally performing as Farm from 1972 with drummer Rob Hirst, bass guitarist Andrew James and keyboard player/lead guitarist Jim Moginie. While vocalist Peter Garrett was studying at Australian National University in Canberra, he answered an advertisement for a spot in Farm, and by 1975 the band was touring the east coast. By late 1976, Garrett moved to Sydney to complete his law degree, and Farm changed its name to Midnight Oil by drawing the name out of a hat. more »

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Written by: Martin Rotsey, Peter Gifford, Robert Hirst, James Moginie, Peter Garrett

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

10 facts about this song

Genre "Beds Are Burning" by Midnight Oil is an iconic rock song. It is widely classified under the genre of alternative rock and new wave.

Background The band, Midnight Oil hails from Australia and the song is one of their most renowned tracks off their album "Diesel and Dust", released in 1987.

Lyrics "Beds Are Burning" is a politically charged song with powerful lyrics addressing the forced removal of Aborigines from their lands by European settlers in Australia.

Chart Success The song was a huge success worldwide. It reached the top of the charts in South Africa, Canada, and New Zealand, and was a top ten hit in many other countries including the UK, The Netherlands, and Sweden. In the United States, it reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Awards "Beds Are Burning" earned the band a Grammy Nomination for Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocal in 1989.

Critic Assessment The song is widely considered one of the greatest songs made in the 1980s, and has been included in multiple 'best of' lists by renowned publications like Rolling Stone Magazine.

Cover Versions Several artists have covered "Beds Are Burning" over the years, including Pearl Jam, Imagine Dragons, and Novaspace, testifying to its lasting influence.

Political Involvement In 2009, more than 60 international music stars joined together to re-record the song as part of a climatic campaign ahead of the United Nations talks in Copenhagen.

Cultural Influence Despite being released over three decades ago, "Beds Are Burning" continues to be a leading anthem on environmental issues and Indigenous rights.

Band Reputation "Beds Are Burning" is regarded as the signature song of Midnight Oil and helped to cement their identity as one of the world's most politically outspoken rock bands.

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