Editing Midnight Oil

{{Short description|Australian rock band}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = Midnight Oil
| image            = Festival des Vieilles Charrues 2022 - Midnight Oil - 093.jpg
| caption          = Midnight Oil at [[Vieilles Charrues Festival]], 2022
| alias            = Farm (1972–1976)
| origin           = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| genre            = {{hlist|[[Alternative rock]]|[[hard rock]]|[[post-punk]]|[[New wave music|new wave]]<ref>Merline, Michael (1 May 2013).{{cite web|url=http://spectrumculture.com/2013/05/midnight-oil-essential-oils.html |title=Midnight Oil: Essential Oils |access-date=27 September 2015 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713000619/http://spectrumculture.com/2013/05/midnight-oil-essential-oils.html |archive-date=13 July 2013 }}. Spectrum Culture.</ref>}}
| years_active     = 1972–2002, 2016–present<br />(reunions: 2005, 2009)
| label            = {{hlist|[[Powderworks Records|Powderworks]]|[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]}}
| associated_acts  = {{hlist|Rock Island Line|Farm|Huntress|Facts|Ross Ryan Band|[[Ghostwriters (band)|Ghostwriters]]|Present History|the Break}}
| website          = {{URL|www.midnightoil.com}}
| current_members  = * [[Peter Garrett]]
* [[Rob Hirst]]
* [[Jim Moginie]]
* [[Martin Rotsey]]
| past_members     = * Andrew James
* [[Peter Gifford]]
* [[Bones Hillman]]
* [[Bruce Schaper]]
}}

'''Midnight Oil''' (known informally as "'''The Oils'''") are <!-- Bands that originate from Australia are treated plural, so do not change "are" to "is". See WP:ENGVAR. --> an Australian rock band composed of [[Peter Garrett]] (vocals, harmonica), [[Rob Hirst]] (drums), [[Jim Moginie]] (guitar, keyboard) and [[Martin Rotsey]] (guitar). The group was formed in [[Sydney]] in 1972 by Hirst, Moginie and original bassist Andrew James as '''Farm''': they enlisted Garrett the following year, changed their name in 1976, and hired Rotsey a year later. [[Peter Gifford]] served as bass player from 1980 to 1987, with [[Bones Hillman]] then assuming the role until his death in 2020. Midnight Oil have sold over 20 million albums worldwide as of 2021.

Midnight Oil issued their [[Midnight Oil (Midnight Oil album)|self-titled debut album]] in 1978 and gained a cult following in their homeland despite a lack of [[mainstream media]] acceptance. The band achieved greater popularity throughout [[Australasia]] with the release of ''[[10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1]]'' (1982) – which spawned the singles "[[Power and the Passion (song)|Power and the Passion]]" and "[[US Forces (song)|US Forces]]" – and also began to attract an audience in the United States. They achieved their first Australian number one album in 1984 with ''[[Red Sails in the Sunset (album)|Red Sails in the Sunset]]'', and topped their native country's singles chart for six weeks with the [[Extended play|EP]] ''[[Species Deceases]]'' (1985).

The group garnered worldwide attention with 1987 album ''[[Diesel and Dust]]''. Its singles "[[The Dead Heart]]" and "[[Beds Are Burning]]" illuminated the plight of [[Indigenous Australians]], with the latter charting at number one in multiple countries. Midnight Oil had continued global success with ''[[Blue Sky Mining]]'' (1990) and ''[[Earth and Sun and Moon]]'' (1993) – each buoyed by an international hit single in "[[Blue Sky Mine]]" and "[[Truganini (song)|Truganini]]", respectively – and remained a formidable album chart presence in Australia until their 2002 disbandment. The group held concerts sporadically during the remainder of the 2000s and announced a full-scale reformation in 2016. The band released their 15th and final studio album, ''[[Resist (Midnight Oil album)|Resist]]'', on 18 February 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marbecks >> Resist – Midnight Oil |url=https://www.marbecks.co.nz/detail/594663/Resist |website=marbecks.co.nz |access-date=8 March 2022}}</ref> and announced an accompanying tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/midnight-oil-final-tour-new-album-resist/|title=Midnight Oil Confirm Final Tour and New Album|website=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]]|date=27 November 2021|access-date=8 March 2022}}</ref>

The band's music often broaches political subjects, and they have lent their support to multiple causes. They have won eleven [[ARIA Awards]] and were inducted into the [[ARIA Hall of Fame]] in 2006. [[#Legacy|Midnight Oil's legacy]] has grown since the late 1970s, with the outfit being cited as an influence, and their songs [[Cover version|covered]], by numerous popular artists. Aside from their studio output, the group are celebrated for their energetic live performances, which showcase the frenetic dancing of Garrett. ''[[Guardian Australia|Guardian]]'' writer Andrew Street described Midnight Oil as "one of Australia's most beloved bands".

== Overview ==
While studying at [[Australian National University]] in Canberra, vocalist [[Peter Garrett]]<ref name="McF">{{Cite book | title= [[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] | last= McFarlane | first= Ian | author-link= Ian McFarlane | publisher= [[Allen & Unwin]] | year= 1999 | chapter= Encyclopedia entry for 'Midnight Oil' | chapter-url= http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=487 |isbn= 1-86448-768-2 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20040813100940/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=487| access-date= 20 October 2008 | archive-date= 13 August 2004}}</ref> answered an advertisement for a spot in Farm,<ref name="RS3">{{Cite book | title= Rolling Stone Encyclopedia | chapter= Midnight Oil | pages= [https://archive.org/details/rollingstoneency00holl/page/648 648–649] | year= 2000 | edition= 3rd | isbn= 0-7432-0120-5 | chapter-url= https://archive.org/details/rollingstoneency00holl/page/648 | author= Rolling Stone | publisher= Touchstone }}</ref><ref name="Howl">{{cite web | archive-url= https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20120726191200/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/14231/20120727-0512/www.howlspace.com.au/en/midnightoil/midnightoil.htm | url= http://www.howlspace.com.au/en/midnightoil/midnightoil.htm | title= Midnight Oil | publisher= Howlspace | editor= [[Ed Nimmervoll]] | archive-date= 26 July 2012 | access-date= 22 January 2014 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and by 1975 the band had started touring the east coast of Australia.<ref name="McF" /> By late 1976 Garrett had moved to Sydney to complete his law degree,<ref name="McF" /><ref name="Howl" /> and Farm changed its name to ''Midnight Oil'' by drawing the name out of a hat.<ref name="Jeff">{{Cite book | title= Molly Meldrum presents 50 years of rock in Australia | last1= Jenkins | first1= Jeff | last2= Meldrum | first2= Ian | year= 2007 | publisher= Wilkinson Publishing | location= Melbourne | pages= 21, 82, 237–241 | isbn= 978-1-921332-11-1}}</ref> The name was coined by Peter Watson, a short-term keyboard player with Farm.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zuel |first=Bernard |date=1 November 2012 |title=Midnight memories |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/midnight-memories-20121101-28lod.html |access-date=10 December 2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>

Important to their development was manager Gary Morris, who successfully negotiated favourable contracts with tour promoters and record companies and frustrated rock journalists.<ref name="McF" /><ref name="Howl" />{{request quotation|date= October 2017}} Guitarist [[Martin Rotsey]] joined in 1977<ref name="ARDb">{{cite web | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120927020538/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/m/midnightoil.html | url= http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/m/midnightoil.html | title= Midnight Oil | last1= Holmgren | first1= Magnus | last2= Stenerlöv | first2= Carl-Johan | publisher= [[Australian Rock Database]]. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren) | archive-date= 27 September 2012 | url-status= usurped | access-date= 12 February 2014 }}</ref> and Midnight Oil, with Morris, established their own record label, Powderworks,<ref name="ARDb" /> which released their debut [[Midnight Oil (Midnight Oil album)|eponymous album]] in November 1978. Their first single "Run by Night" followed in December.<ref name="McF" /><ref name="Howl" /> Founding bass-guitarist James, forced to leave due to illness in 1980, was replaced by [[Peter Gifford]]. Gifford was himself replaced by [[Bones Hillman]] in 1987.<ref name="McF" /><ref name="ARDb" /><ref name="Howl" /> Through a long and distinguished career, the band became known for its driving hard-rock sound, intense live performances and political activism, particularly in aid of [[anti-nuclear]], environmentalist and [[Indigenous Australians|indigenous]] causes.<ref name="RSBio">{{cite magazine| url= https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/midnightoil/biography | title= Midnight Oil Biography | magazine= [[Rolling Stone]] | last= Fricke | first= David | year= 2004 | access-date= 21 October 2008 | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071103105246/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/midnightoil/biography |archive-date= 3 November 2007 }}</ref>

The following Midnight Oil albums peaked in the Australian Top Ten:<ref name="Kent">{{Cite book | title= [[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]] | author-link= David Kent (historian) | last= Kent | first= David | publisher= Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. | year= 1993 | isbn= 0-646-11917-6 }}</ref><ref name="AusCharts">{{cite web |url= http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Midnight+Oil | title= Midnight Oil discography | publisher= Australian Charts Portal | access-date= 20 October 2008 }}</ref>

* ''[[10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1]]''
* ''[[Red Sails in the Sunset (album)|Red Sails in the Sunset]]''
* ''[[Species Deceases]]''
* ''[[Diesel and Dust]]''
* ''[[Blue Sky Mining]]''
* ''[[Scream in Blue]] (Live)''
* ''[[Earth and Sun and Moon]]''
* ''[[Breathe (Midnight Oil)|Breathe]]''
* ''[[20,000 Watt R.S.L.]]''
* ''[[Redneck Wonderland]]''
* ''[[The Real Thing (Midnight Oil album)|The Real Thing]]''
* ''[[Capricornia (album)|Capricornia]]''
* ''[[Flat Chat]]''
* ''[[The Makarrata Project]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/oct/30/midnight-oil-the-makarrata-project-review-a-chorus-of-anger-over-stolen-land|title=Midnight Oil: The Makarrata Project review – a chorus of anger over stolen land|first=Bernard|last=Zuel|date=29 October 2020|access-date=13 January 2021|website=Theguardian.com}}</ref><ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/nov/09/bones-hillmans-bass-was-exemplary-but-his-vocals-were-intrinsic-to-midnight-oils-sound|title=Bones Hillman's bass was exemplary but his vocals were intrinsic to Midnight Oil's sound|date=9 November 2020|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=13 January 2021}}</ref>
* ''[[Resist (Midnight Oil album)|Resist]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/albums-chart/2022-02-28|title=ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart}}</ref>

The following Midnight Oil releases peaked in the Top Ten of the Australian singles chart:<ref name="Kent" /><ref name="AusCharts" />

* "[[Power and the Passion (song)|Power and the Passion]]"
* ''[[Species Deceases|Species Deceases EP]]'' ("Progress"/"Hercules"/"Blossom and Blood"/"Pictures")
* "[[The Dead Heart]]"
* "[[Beds Are Burning]]"
* "[[Blue Sky Mine]]"

Aside from chart success, the [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) in 2001 listed both "Power and the Passion" and "Beds Are Burning" in the [[APRA Top 30 Australian songs|Top 30 best Australian songs]] of all time,<ref name=apra01>{{cite web
 | url= http://www.debbiekruger.com/pdfs/aprathirty.pdf | last= Kruger | first= Debbie | author-link= Debbie Kruger
 | title= The songs that resonate through the years
 | publisher= [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) | date= 2 May 2001
| access-date= 20 October 2008 | url-status= dead
 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110709004348/http://www.debbiekruger.com/pdfs/aprathirty.pdf
 | archive-date= 9 July 2011 }}</ref>
a chart in which Midnight Oil are the only artists to feature twice. In December 2002 Garrett announced that he would seek to further his political career and Midnight Oil disbanded, but they reformed for two warm-up shows in Canberra leading up to their performance, at one of the "[[Sound Relief]]" charity concerts, in honour of the victims of the 2009 [[Black Saturday bushfires|"Black Saturday"]] fires in Victoria and floods in Queensland.

In 2010 their album ''[[Diesel and Dust]]'' ranked no. 1 in the book ''[[The 100 Best Australian Albums]]'' by [[Toby Creswell]], [[Craig Mathieson]] and [[John O'Donnell (music journalist)|John O'Donnell]].<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s3050375.htm
 |title       = The 100 Best Australian Albums &#124; Triple J
 |publisher   = Australian Broadcasting Corporation
 |date        = 28 October 2010
|access-date  = 9 July 2011
|url-status     = bot: unknown
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20101029201210/http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s3050375.htm
 |archive-date = 29 October 2010
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref>

== History ==
=== Farm: 1972–1976 ===
In 1971 drummer [[Rob Hirst]], bass guitarist Andrew James, and [[keyboard instrument|keyboard player]]/lead guitarist [[Jim Moginie]] were performing together. They adopted the name "Farm" in 1972,<ref name="ARDb" /> and played covers of [[Cream (band)|Cream]], [[Creedence Clearwater Revival]] and [[Led Zeppelin]] songs.<ref name="Howl" /> They placed an advert for a band member;<ref name="RS3" /> [[Peter Garrett]] (ex-Rock Island Line) became their new vocalist and synthesizer player and began introducing [[progressive rock]] elements of [[Focus (band)|Focus]], [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]] and [[Yes (band)|Yes]], as well as their own material.<ref name="McF" /><ref name="Howl" /> Garrett was studying at the [[Australian National University]] in [[Canberra]], so Farm was only a part-time band.<ref name="McF" /><ref name="Howl" /> They played for the northern-Sydney surfing community and, by 1975, were touring the east coast.<ref name="McF" /> In late 1976 Garrett moved to Sydney to complete his law degree.<ref name="McF" /><ref name="Howl" /> Farm then became a full-time group and changed its name to "Midnight Oil" by drawing a name out of a hat, leaving behind "Television", "Sparta", and "Southern Cross".<ref name="Jeff" />

The name "Midnight Oil" was inspired by the [[Jimi Hendrix]] song "[[Burning of the Midnight Lamp]]",<ref name="Howl" /> although the word "oil" appears nowhere in the lyrics. The expression "midnight oil" first appeared in a 1635 poem by [[Francis Quarles]] (1592-1644):<ref>[https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=midnight+oil Online Etymological Dictionary]</ref>
{{Poem quote|title=''Emblems'', 1635|
To heaven's high city I direct my journey, 
Whose spangled suburbs entertain mine eye.
We spend our midday sweat, our '''midnight oil''';
We tire the night in thought, the day in toil.}}

=== 1976–1981 ===
[[File:Martin Rotsey.jpg|thumb|upright|Martin Rotsey, Midnight Oil guitarist, at the Souths Leagues Club in Brisbane, 2007]]

After changing its name to Midnight Oil, the group began to develop an aggressive, punk-hard rock sound for their [[Pub rock (Australia)|pub rock]] audiences.<ref name="Howl" /> Guitarist [[Martin Rotsey]] joined in 1977<ref name="ARDb" /> and Midnight Oil, with their manager Gary Morris, established their own record label Powderworks.<ref name="ARDb" /> In June 1978 they entered the [[Albert Productions|Alberts Studio]] in Sydney with producer Keith Walker, from local radio station [[Triple J|2JJ]], to record their debut [[:wikt:eponym|eponymous]] album, ''[[Midnight Oil (Midnight Oil album)|Midnight Oil]]'', which was released by Powderworks in November 1978 and peaked at No.&nbsp;43 on the Australian albums charts.<ref name="Kent" /> Midnight Oil's first single "Run by Night" followed in December,<ref name="McF" /><ref name="Howl" /> but had very little chart success, peaking at No.&nbsp;100 on the singles charts.<ref name="Kent" />

The band built a dedicated fan base, initially restricted to Sydney, which was extended to other Australian cities through constant touring – performing some 200 gigs in their first year.<ref name="Howl" /> They became known for their furious live performances, which featured the two guitarists Moginie and Rotsey, the drumming and vocals of Hirst and the presence of the towering, bald Garrett as lead singer.<ref name="McF" /><ref name="Howl" /><ref name="RSBio" />

The ''Midnight Oil'' [[long play|LP]] disappointed some critics as it did not capture their powerful live performances, with undemanding playing and Garrett's vocals sounding stilted.<ref name="McF" /> Their second album ''[[Head Injuries]]'', released on Powderworks in October 1979, was produced by former [[Supercharge (band)|Supercharge]] member Leszek Karski.<ref name="ARDb" /> It mixed solid guitar rock with progressive flourishes and was an improvement by highlighting the group's strengths and growth.<ref name="McF" /><ref name="Howl" /> It peaked at No.&nbsp;36 and by mid-1980 had achieved gold status.<ref name="McF" /><ref name="Kent" /> In April 1980 founding bass guitarist Andrew James left because of ill-health and was replaced by [[Peter Gifford]] (ex-Huntress, Ross Ryan Band).<ref name="ARDb" />

Further interest in Midnight Oil was generated by the popular ''[[Bird Noises]]'' [[extended play|EP]], also produced by Karski, which peaked at No.&nbsp;28 on the Australian singles charts.<ref name="Kent" /> One of its four tracks was the surf-instrumental "Wedding Cake Island" named after the [[Wedding Cake Island|rock outcrop]] in the ocean off Sydney's [[Coogee, New South Wales|Coogee Beach]]. The band's third LP ''[[Place without a Postcard]]'', released by [[Columbia Records|CBS Records]] in November 1981, was recorded in [[Sussex]] with English producer [[Glyn Johns]] ([[The Rolling Stones]], [[The Who]]).<ref name="ARDb" /><ref name="Howl" /> Creative tensions between the band and Johns plagued the recording and the group were not totally happy with the outcome. Johns had an arrangement with [[A&M Records]] and they asked Midnight Oil to return to the studio to record material suitable for an American single release – they refused and returned to Australia.<ref name="Howl" /> ''Place without a Postcard'' peaked at No.&nbsp;12 on the albums charts and related singles "Don't Wanna be the One" and "Armistice Day" reached the Top 40 in Australia.<ref name="Kent" />

=== Fans, music industry, media ===
Driven largely by commercial pressures to stay with reliable chart-toppers and teenage pop sensations, the Australian music industry in the mid-1970s cast a dismissive eye toward most bands with an [[alternative rock|alternative]] outlook. Although consistently championed by Sydney alternative rock station [[Triple J|Double Jay]] and its FM band successor Triple J, Midnight Oil were almost totally ignored by Australia's mainstream commercial radio stations in their early career. Manager Morris developed a reputation as one of the toughest managers and became notorious for banning critics or journalists, who were usually given free admission to concerts, for writing unfavourable reviews. Writer and critic [[Bruce Elder (journalist)|Bruce Elder]], in a mid-1980s newspaper review described their music as "narrow and xenophobic" and declared Midnight Oil were:

{{blockquote|"a kind of [[antipodean]] pub rock version of [[Queen (band)|Queen]] [...] life-denying, sexist, secular and bigoted [...] endless touting of Australia and all things Australian"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://home.vicnet.net.au/~abr/Sept06/Rose%20review.htm |title=Rose Review |work=[[Australian Book Review]] |last=Rose |first=Peter |year=2006 |access-date=21 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930052915/http://home.vicnet.net.au/~abr/Sept06/Rose%20review.htm |archive-date=30 September 2008 }}</ref>|Bruce Elder quoted in ''Crème de la Phlegm: Unforgettable Australian Reviews'' (2006), ed.:Angela Bennie. {{ISBN|0-522-85241-6}}}}

In retaliation, Morris banned Elder from Oils shows permanently. Elder later recanted, describing them as the only Australian band to have developed a truly Australian sound.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}

The frostiness of Midnight Oil's relationship with the traditional music media quickly saw the band develop a strong "street cred" and a reputation for making no compromises with the music industry. In the early 1980s the band was scheduled to appear on an episode of the all-powerful [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) TV pop show ''[[Countdown (Australian TV series)|Countdown]]'' but on the day of the show they were "bumped" from the line-up. ''Countdown'' required artists to mime their songs during 'live' performances, Midnight Oil and Morris insisted they perform completely live and have their sound engineer supervising – neither side backed down.<ref name="Verrender">{{cite news |url=http://www.deadheart.org.uk/opinion/articles/essay.php?article_id=18 |title=Is anyone listening? |last=Verrender |first=Ian |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=14 September 1996 |access-date=22 October 2008 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031019054525/http://www.deadheart.org.uk/opinion/articles/essay.php?article_id=18 |archive-date=19 October 2003 }}</ref> According to ''Countdown'' producer Michael Shrimpton, the band had arrived late for rehearsal and, due to the show's very tight schedule and budget, there was a strict policy that latecomers were not allowed to appear; and, as such, they were told they could not perform that day. In response, the group declared that they would never appear on the show, a promise they faithfully kept.<ref name="Quirk">{{cite news | title=The quirks that made it work |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=5 August 2006 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/the-quirks-that-made-it-work/2006/08/04/1154198331689.html |access-date=21 October 2008 }}</ref> ''Countdown'' presenter [[Ian Meldrum|Molly Meldrum]] shaved his head bald, imitating Garrett, for its final show on 19 July 1987 and expressed regret that Midnight Oil had never appeared on the show.<ref name="Jeff" /><ref name="Quirk" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.countdownmemories.com/exclusive_interviews/molly_interview.html |title=An interview with Molly Meldrum by Jason |date=19 August 2004 |last=Grech |first=Jason |work=Countdown Memories |access-date=22 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720033612/http://www.countdownmemories.com/exclusive_interviews/molly_interview.html |archive-date=20 July 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Fans of the group were drawn to the band's "us and them" mindset, and fan loyalty to the Oils' ideas and music was fierce. Two venues at which they built significant fan bases from their early live performances were the Sydney northern beaches [[pub]] The Royal Antler at [[Narrabeen]] and the Bondi Lifesaver club near Sydney's [[Bondi Beach]]. Politically oriented rock of the style produced by the band was something of a new concept for the Australian music scene, and Peter Garrett quickly earned a reputation as one of the most charismatic and outspoken musicians in the country. He recalled that there were dangers in playing the pub scene:

{{blockquote|You get booked into a pub or hotel, say in the western suburbs of Sydney. Halfway through your set, two large, drunk truck drivers decide to have a fight. They're beating each other up and careening towards the corner where the band is set up. Meanwhile, everyone else is going, 'Aaah, turn it down, I'm trying to watch TV.' Try to contemplate that as an environment to play music in every night for three years.<ref name="Cockington">{{Cite book |last=Cockington |first=James |date=August 2001 |title=Long Way to the Top |publisher=ABC Books |location=Sydney, N.S.W. |page=188 |isbn=0-7333-0750-7 }}</ref>|Peter Garrett quoted in ''The Big Australian Rock Book'' (1985) published by ''Rolling Stone'' Magazine, ed.:Ed St John, {{ISBN|0-9590615-0-9}}}}

=== Rise to fame: 1982–1985 ===
==== ''10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1'' ====
Their Australian breakthrough and first international recognition came in 1982, with the release of ''[[10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1]]'', which included the singles "[[Power and the Passion (song)|Power and the Passion]]" and "[[Read about It]]". The album peaked at No.&nbsp;3 and "Power and the Passion" peaked at No.&nbsp;8.<ref name="Kent" /> The album also includes their denunciation of American military interference in foreign affairs in "[[US Forces (song)|US Forces]]" and their critique of imperialist repression in "[[Short Memory]]". ''10 to 1'' was recorded in London during September and produced by Englishman [[Nick Launay]],<ref name="McF" /><ref name="ARDb" /> who had previously worked with acts including [[The Jam]], [[XTC]], [[Peter Gabriel]], [[PiL]], [[Gang of Four (band)|Gang of Four]] and [[The Birthday Party (band)|The Birthday Party]].<ref name="McF" /> Launay worked on several other major Australian recordings in this period including [[INXS]]' ''The Swing'', [[Models (band)|Models]]' ''The Pleasure of Your Company'' and [[The Church (band)|The Church]]'s ''Seance''.

The album remained in the Australian charts for 171 weeks.<ref name="Kent" /> It retained their live energy but was more adventurous and radical than previous work.<ref name="McF" /><ref name="Howl" /> Their ascendancy was signalled by a series of concerts on the release of the album at Sydney's Capitol Theatre, one of which was filmed and recorded and later released on their 2004 ''[[Best of Both Worlds (Midnight Oil album)|Best of Both Worlds]]'' DVD. The band also played their first shows outside Australia during this time, with the album being released in the US on [[Columbia Records]], where it charted in 1984 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]];<ref name="BillA">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4911|pure_url=yes}} |title=Midnight Oil – Charts & Awards – ''Billboard'' Albums |work=Allmusic |access-date=21 October 2008 }}</ref> in the UK it was released on [[CBS]].<ref name="McF" />

==== ''Red Sails in the Sunset'' ====
Midnight Oil undertook more politically motivated benefit concerts,<ref name="Howl" /> including organising the [[Stop The Drop]] nuclear disarmament concert in 1983, which received a [[United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Prize]].<ref name="McF" /> ''10 to 1'' was followed by ''[[Red Sails in the Sunset (album)|Red Sails in the Sunset]]'' in October 1984, which was recorded in Japan, produced by Launay again.<ref name="McF" /><ref name="ARDb" /> It peaked at No.&nbsp;1 for four weeks on the Australian charts,<ref name="Kent" /> and charted on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref name="BillA" /> Singles from the album were released in US and UK but had no chart success.<ref name="McF" /> Whilst the album showed an overreliance on technical wizardry, their lyrical stance was positive.<ref name="McF" /> The band continued to expand their sound and explore themes of politics, consumerism, militarism, the threat of nuclear war and environmental issues.<ref name="Howl" /> The album cover by Japanese artist [[Tsunehisa Kimura]] featured a [[photomontage]] of Sydney – both city and harbour – cratered and devastated after a hypothetical nuclear attack.<ref name="MemTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.memorabletv.com/musicworld/ozrock/ltom.htm |title=Memorable TV – L to M |publisher=Memorable TV |access-date=22 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017142844/http://www.memorabletv.com/musicworld/ozrock/ltom.htm |archive-date=17 October 2008 }}</ref> Live concert footage of "Short Memory" was used in the Australian independent anti-nuclear war movie ''[[One Night Stand (1984 film)|One Night Stand]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087844/soundtrack |title=''One Night Stand'' (1984) soundtrack |publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]] (IMDb) |access-date=24 October 2008 }}</ref> A promotional video for "Best of Both Worlds", later on ''[[Best of Both Worlds (Midnight Oil album)|Best of Both Worlds]]'', received airplay worldwide on cable music TV station MTV.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0491669/ |title=''Best of Both Worlds'' (2004)|publisher=Internet Movie Database (IMDb) |access-date=24 October 2008 }}</ref>

Garrett ran as a [[Nuclear Disarmament Party]] (NDP) candidate for a NSW seat in the [[Australian Senate]] during the December [[1984 Australian federal election|1984 federal election]], Garrett obtained 9.6% of votes but was unable to obtain the required quota of 12.5%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/a/australia/1984/1984senatensw.txt |title=1984 Senate N.S.W. results |publisher=Adam Carr |access-date=22 October 2008 }}</ref> In April 1985, Garrett, with some 30 other members, walked out of the national conference and resigned from the NDP claiming it had been infiltrated by a [[Trotskyist]] group.<ref>{{Cite book |last=MacLellan |first=Nic |date=July 1985 |title=Peace Studies |chapter=The Election and Defection of the NDP |pages=18–19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Mansell |first=Ken |title=Peace Studies |chapter=Making Sense of the NDP Split |pages=19–20 }}</ref> Although unsuccessful in that federal election, Garrett was now a recognised public figure.<ref name="McF" />

==== Goat Island Triple J concert ====
In January 1985, Midnight Oil performed ''Oils on the Water'', a concert on [[Goat Island (Port Jackson)|Goat Island]] in [[Port Jackson|Sydney Harbour]] to celebrate [[Triple J]]'s tenth birthday,<ref name="McF" /> before a select audience of fans who had won tickets in a radio competition. The concert was filmed, simulcast on ABC-TV and Triple J, and released on video,<ref name="McF" /> which was remastered for their 2004 ''Best of Both Worlds'' DVD.

=== International success and activism: 1985–2002 ===
==== ''[[Diesel and Dust]]'' ====
In December 1985 the four-track EP ''[[Species Deceases]]'' produced with [[Francois Kevorkian]] was released by CBS/Columbia;<ref name="ARDb" /> it peaked at No.&nbsp;1 on the Australian singles charts for six weeks.<ref name="McF" /><ref name="Kent" /> ''Species Deceases'', featuring the track "Hercules", featured a return to their pub rock sound with hard hitting firepower.<ref name="McF" /> Midnight Oil spent several months in 1986 on the Blackfella/Whitefella tour of [[outback]] Australia with indigenous groups [[Warumpi Band]] and [[Gondwanaland (band)|Gondwanaland]], playing to remote Aboriginal communities and seeing first hand the seriousness of the issues in health and living standards.<ref name="McF" /> The tour was criticised by some journalists for being a one-off event instead of a long-term attempt to build bridges between communities.<ref name="Vellutini">{{cite web |url=http://www.api-network.com/main/index.php?apply=scholars&webpage=default&flexedit=&flex_password=&menu_label=&menuID=62&menubox=&scholar=76 |last=Vellutini |first=Laetitia |publisher=The Australian Public Intellectual Network |year=2004 |editor=Richard Nile |title=Rezoning Australia: Journal of Australian Studies |access-date=22 October 2008 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113034827/http://www.api-network.com/main/index.php?apply=scholars&webpage=default&flexedit=&flex_password=&menu_label=&menuID=62&menubox=&scholar=76 |archive-date=13 January 2009 }}</ref> The band was galvanised by the experiences and made them the basis of ''[[Diesel and Dust]]'', released in 1987 and produced by [[Warne Livesey]].<ref name="ARDb" /> The album focused on the need for recognition by white Australia of past injustices involving the Aboriginal nations and the need for [[Reconciliation in Australia]]. Peter Gifford left the band before the album's release due to extensive touring schedules,<ref name="Howl" /> and was replaced by [[Bones Hillman]], formerly of [[The Swingers]].<ref name="ARDb" />

''Diesel and Dust'' peaked at No.&nbsp;1 on the Australian albums charts for six weeks,<ref name="Kent" /> No.&nbsp;21 on the ''[[Billboard 200]] charts'' in 1988,<ref name="BillA" /> and No.&nbsp;19 on the UK albums charts.<ref name="UKCharts">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/ |title=The Official Charts Company Midnight Oil |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=22 October 2008 }}</ref> "[[Beds Are Burning]]" was their biggest international hit single, peaking at No.&nbsp;6 in Australia,<ref name="Kent" /> and No.&nbsp;17 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]],<ref name="BillS">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4911|pure_url=yes}} |title=Midnight Oil – Charts & Awards – ''Billboard'' Albums |work=Allmusic |access-date=22 October 2008 }}</ref> No.&nbsp;6 on the UK singles charts.<ref name="UKCharts" /> "The Dead Heart" peaked at No.&nbsp;6 in Australia,<ref name="Kent" /> and charted on the Hot 100<ref name="BillS" /> and in the UK.<ref name="UKCharts" /> "Put Down that Weapon" also charted in Australia,<ref name="Kent" /> while "Dreamworld" charted on ''Billboard''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Mainstream Rock Tracks]] and at No.&nbsp;16 on its [[Modern Rock Tracks]].<ref name="BillS" />

At the [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) [[ARIA Music Awards of 1988|1988 Awards]] ceremony, Midnight Oil won "[[ARIA Award for Best Cover Art|Best Cover Art]] " for ''Diesel and Dust'' and both "[[ARIA Award for Single of the Year|Best Single]]" and "[[ARIA Award for Song of the Year|Best Song]]" for "[[Beds Are Burning]]".<ref name=aria1988>{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1988 |title=ARIA Awards 2008: History: Winners by Year search result for 1988 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) |access-date=24 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926235720/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1988 |archive-date=26 September 2007 }}</ref> A fracas developed between Morris, accepting awards for Midnight Oil, and former ''Countdown'' compere Ian Meldrum who was presenting: Meldrum objected to Morris making political commentary from the podium.<ref name=aria1988 />

There were concerns about ''Diesel and Dust'' and Midnight Oil's attempts to express [[Indigenous Australians|indigenous issues]] to [[white people|white]] urban audiences – namely, the question "who holds the power to tell whose history?"<ref name="Vellutini" /> The lyrics of "The Dead Heart" tell the story of [[colonisation]] from an indigenous [[Point of view (literature)|point of view]] but some critics felt they reinforced the "primitive" [[stereotype]].<ref name="Vellutini" /> Use of the [[bullroarer (music)|bullroarer]] was criticised as belonging to sacred rituals and therefore not appropriate for rock songs.<ref name="Vellutini" /> "The Dead Heart" had been written in response to a request by organisers of the 1985 ceremony to return control of [[Uluru]] to its indigenous [[Property caretaker|caretakers]]; Midnight Oil had originally resisted, arguing it would be more appropriate for an indigenous band to release the single. However, the organisers insisted, arguing that the band would reach a wider audience within the predominantly [[white people|Caucasian]] urban centres.{{Citation needed|date=January 2018}} Midnight Oil requested that all [[royalties]] from the song go to [[Indigenous Australians|indigenous communities]].<ref name="MemTV" /> In addition, two indigenous groups, Warumpi Band and Gondwanaland, toured with them.

Following the 1988 American tour in support of ''Diesel and Dust'' with Australian band [[Yothu Yindi]], Midnight Oil launched the ''[https://www.discogs.com/Various-Building-Bridges-Australia-Has-A-Black-History/master/811978 Building Bridges – Australia Has A Black History]'' album with various artists contributing, including [[Paul Kelly (Australian musician)|Paul Kelly]], [[Scrap Metal (band)|Scrap Metal]], Coloured Stone, [[Hunters & Collectors]], [[James Reyne]], [[The Saints (Australian band)|The Saints]], [[Crowded House]], [[INXS]] and Yothu Yindi.<ref name="McF" /> All sales proceeds were donated to the National Coalition of Aboriginal Organisations.<ref name="McF" />

During 1989–1993 and 1998–2002 Garrett was the President of the [[Australian Conservation Foundation]], whilst during 1993–1998 he was on the International Board of [[Greenpeace]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/longway/artist_index/midnightoil.htm |title=''Long Way to the Top'' Peter Garrett entry |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) |year=2001 |access-date=24 October 2008 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010914043142/http://www.abc.net.au/longway/artist_index/midnightoil.htm |archive-date=14 September 2001 }}</ref> In 1990 Midnight Oil played an impromptu lunchtime set in front of [[Exxon]] headquarters in New York with a banner reading, "Midnight Oil Makes You Dance, Exxon Oil Makes Us Sick," protesting the [[Exxon Valdez oil spill]] the previous year.<ref name="Howl" />

==== ''Blue Sky Mining'' ====
In February 1990, ''[[Blue Sky Mining]]'', produced by [[Warne Livesey|Livesey]], was released by CBS/Columbia.<ref name="ARDb" /> It peaked at No.&nbsp;1 on the [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) albums charts.<ref name="AusCharts" /> It stayed at No.&nbsp;1 for two weeks in Australia and had Top 5 chart success in Sweden, Switzerland and Norway.<ref name="BlueSkyA">{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?key=1005&cat=a|title=''Blue Sky Mining'' album charting |publisher=Australian Charts Portal |access-date=23 October 2008 }}</ref> It peaked at No.&nbsp;20 on the ''Billboard'' 200<ref name="BillA" /> and No.&nbsp;28 on the UK charts.<ref name="UKCharts" /> The album was more defiant and outspoken;<ref name="McF" /> the single "Blue Sky Mine" describes asbestos exposure in the [[CSR Limited#Wittenoom controversy|Wittenoom mine tragedy]].<ref name="McF" /> The single peaked at No.&nbsp;8 on the ARIA singles charts,<ref name="AusCharts" /> top 15 in Norway and Switzerland,<ref name="BlueSkyS">{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Midnight+Oil&titel=Blue+Sky+Mine&cat=s|title="Blue Sky Mine" single charting |publisher=Australian Charts Portal |access-date=23 October 2008 }}</ref> No.&nbsp;47 on ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and No.&nbsp;1 on both their Mainstream and Modern Rock Tracks charts,<ref name="BillS" /> and appeared on the UK charts.<ref name="UKCharts" /> The second single, "Forgotten Years", was more moderately successful, reaching No.&nbsp;26 on the ARIA singles chart, No.&nbsp;97 in the UK, No.&nbsp;11 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks, and No.&nbsp;1 on the Modern Rock Tracks.

In Sydney in 1990, while Midnight Oil were taking a break, Hirst joined up with guitarist Andrew Dickson, drummer Dorland Bray of [[Do-Re-Mi (band)|Do-Ré-Mi]], guitarist Leszek Karski (Midnight Oil producer) and bass guitarist [[Richard Grossman (bassist)|Rick Grossman]] of [[Hoodoo Gurus]] to form a side project called [[Ghostwriters (band)|Ghostwriters]].<ref name="ARDbGhost">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329042458/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/g/ghostwriters.html |url=http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/g/ghostwriters.html |title=Ghostwriters |last1=Holmgren | first1=Magnus |publisher=Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren) |archive-date=29 March 2012 |url-status=usurped |access-date=12 February 2014 }}</ref> The name refers to the practice of [[ghostwriting]], wherein famous writers contribute under assumed names in order to remain anonymous. Ghostwriters' line-ups – both live and in the studio – changed considerably through the years, with only founders Hirst and Grossman being mainstays. Between successive album releases Hirst and Grossman returned to active involvement with Oils and Gurus respectively. Ghostwriters have released ''Ghostwriters'' (1991), ''Second Skin'' (1996), ''Fibromoon'' (1999) and ''Political Animal'' (2007).<ref name="ARDbGhost" />

At the 1991 [[ARIA Awards]] ceremony, Midnight Oil won '[[ARIA Award for Best Group|Best Group]]' and an 'Outstanding Achievement Award' and '[[ARIA Award for Best Cover Art|Best Cover Artist]]', 'Best Video' and '[[ARIA Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]]' for ''Blue Sky Mining''.<ref name=aria1991>{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1991 |title=ARIA Awards 2008: History: Winners by Year search result for 1991 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) |access-date=24 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608063024/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1991 |archive-date=8 June 2009 }}</ref> Morris, accepting awards for Midnight Oil, was criticised for a speech lasting 20 minutes.<ref name="Jeff" /><ref name=aria1991 />

''[[Scream in Blue]] (Live)'', their June 1992 live album produced by Keith Walker, contained material from concerts between 1982 and 1990, including "Progress" from their Exxon Valdez protest gig.<ref name="McF" /><ref name="ARDb" /> It peaked at No.&nbsp;3 on the ARIA albums charts;<ref name="AusCharts" /> Top 50 in Austria, Sweden and Switzerland;<ref name="ScreamBlueA">{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?key=1429&cat=a|title=''Scream in Blue – Live'' album charting |publisher=Australian Charts Portal |access-date=24 October 2008 }}</ref> and appeared on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref name="BillA" />

==== ''Earth and Sun and Moon'' ====
Midnight Oil's '' [[Earth and Sun and Moon]]'' album, produced with Nick Launay, was released in April 1993 and also drew critical acclaim and international success, peaking at No.&nbsp;2 on the ARIA albums charts,<ref name="AusCharts" /> top 20 in Sweden and Switzerland,<ref name="EarthSunA">{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?key=1599&cat=a |title=''Earth and Sun and Moon'' album charting |publisher=Australian Charts Portal |access-date=24 October 2008 }}</ref> Top 50 on ''Billboard'' 200,<ref name="BillA" /> and top thirty in the UK albums chart.<ref name="UKCharts" /> The single "[[Truganini (song)|Truganini]]" referenced multiple issues, including [[Trugernanner|the 'last' Tasmanian Aboriginal person]], the treatment of Aboriginal artist [[Albert Namatjira]], the [[Australian flag debate]], and [[Republicanism in Australia|republicanism]].<ref name="Vellutini" /> Liner notes for the single claimed "Truganini was the sole surviving Tasmanian Aborigine, the last of her race, when she died in 1876."<ref name="Vellutini" /> The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, representing over 7000 contemporary Tasmanians, called for the single to be boycotted as it perpetuated a 'white' myth about the extinction of [[Aboriginal Tasmanians]].<ref name="Vellutini" /> Their Native Title claims hinged upon establishing links with ancestral lands. Morris responded with, "My suggestion to these people is to stop shooting themselves in the foot and let a band like Midnight Oil voice its appeal to White Australia on behalf of Black Australia".<ref name="Vellutini" />

Critics contended that Morris disparaged Indigenous Australians' ability to represent themselves and overestimated Midnight Oil's ambassadorial powers while diminishing their errors, while some indigenous activists saw benefit in Midnight Oil's highlighting of the issues.<ref name="Vellutini" /> Nevertheless, "Truganini" released in March peaked at No.&nbsp;10 on the ARIA singles charts,<ref name="AusCharts" /> No.&nbsp;10 on ''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock Tracks and No.&nbsp;4 on their Modern Rock Tracks charts,<ref name="BillS" /> and top thirty for the UK charts.<ref name="UKCharts" /> Peter Garrett issued an apology for the mistake in the liner notes. The band performed the song along with "My Country" from the album on the American sketch-comedy series ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' during the 8 May 1993 episode hosted by [[Christina Applegate]].<ref name="nbcsnl">{{cite web|url=https://www.onesnladay.com/2019/08/22/may-8-1993-christina-applegate-midnight-oil-s18-e19/ |title=May 8, 1993 – Christina Applegate / Midnight Oil (S18 E19) |date=23 August 2019 |publisher=The 'One SNL a Day' Project |access-date=12 February 2021 }}</ref>

In 1993, the band also participated in the [[Another Roadside Attraction (festival)|Another Roadside Attraction]] tour in Canada and collaborated with [[The Tragically Hip]], [[Crash Vegas]], [[Hothouse Flowers]] and [[Daniel Lanois]] on the one-off single "[[Land (song)|Land]]" to protest forest [[clearcutting|clearing]] in British Columbia.

==== ''Breathe'' to ''Capricornia'' ====
''[[Breathe (Midnight Oil album)|Breathe]]'' was released in 1996. It was produced by [[Malcolm Burn]] and had a loose, raw style with almost a low-key sound.<ref name="McF" /> It peaked at No.&nbsp;3 on the ARIA albums chart,<ref name="AusCharts" /> and had Top 40 success in New Zealand and Switzerland.<ref name="BreatheA">{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?key=2407&cat=a|title=''Breathe'' album charting |publisher=Australian Charts Portal |access-date=24 October 2008 }}</ref> They returned to No.&nbsp;1 on the ARIA albums charts<ref name="AusCharts" /> with the [[compilation album|compilation]] ''[[20,000 Watt R.S.L.]]'' in 1997 on [[Sony Records]], which achieved 4×Platinum sales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2008Albums.htm|title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations 2008 Albums|publisher=ARIA|access-date=19 January 2009}}</ref> Later album releases include the electro tinged hard rock ''[[Redneck Wonderland]]'' in 1998, live album ''[[The Real Thing (Midnight Oil album)|The Real Thing]]'' in 2000 and the more stripped back ''[[Capricornia (album)|Capricornia]]'' in 2002 again renuniting with producer [[Warne Livesey]], all charted into the ARIA Top Ten.<ref name="AusCharts" />

==== Sydney 2000 Olympic Games performance ====
Midnight Oil again brought the politics of [[Reconciliation in Australia|Reconciliation]] to the fore during their performance at the [[2000 Summer Olympics closing ceremony|closing ceremony]] of the [[2000 Summer Olympics|Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics]]. Then Prime Minister [[John Howard]] had triggered controversy that year with his refusal to embrace symbolic reconciliation and apologise to Indigenous Australians and members of the [[Stolen Generations]].{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} But he had also said their reconciliation-themed single "[[Beds Are Burning]]" was his favourite Midnight Oil song. Midnight Oil performed the song at the ceremony with the word [[National Sorry Day|SORRY]] conspicuously printed on their clothes as a form of apology to Indigenous people for their suffering under white settlement and to highlight the issue to Howard, who was in the audience at the Olympic stadium as an estimated one billion people watched on television.<ref name="Vellutini" /> Midnight Oil had consulted with tour mates Yothu Yindi and other Indigenous activists, so that their performance would bring popular protest to the world arena.<ref name="Vellutini" />

In 2001, when [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) surveyed 100 music industry people for their Top 10 Best Australian songs of all time, "Beds Are Burning" was voted No.&nbsp;3 behind [[The Easybeats]]' "[[Friday on My Mind]]" and [[Daddy Cool (band)|Daddy Cool]]'s "[[Eagle Rock (song)|Eagle Rock]]".<ref name="APRA10">{{cite web|url=http://www.apra.com.au/awards/music/2001_topten.asp |title=The final list: APRA'S Ten best Australian Songs |last=Culnane |first=Paul |publisher=[[Australasian Performing Right Association]] |date=28 May 2001 |access-date=20 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308150930/http://www.apra.com.au/awards/music/2001_topten.asp |archive-date=8 March 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> At the 2001 [[APRA Awards (Australia)|APRA Awards]] ceremony "Beds are Burning" was shown on video and introduced by [[Australian Democrats]] [[Aden Ridgeway|Senator Aden Ridgeway]] as an [[Indigenous Australians|Indigenous]] spokesperson on Reconciliation.<ref name="APRA10" /> "Power and the Passion" was also listed in APRA's [[APRA Top 30 Australian songs|Top 30 best Australian songs]].<ref name=apra01 />

=== Dissolution and reunion ===
[[File:Oils Alive Again by rakka of oz.jpg|thumb|Midnight Oil at Manly Leagues Club, 2005]]
Garrett announced his decision to quit Midnight Oil on 2 December 2002, to refocus on his political career.<ref name="Howl" /> In the [[1984 Australian federal election|1984 federal election]], Garrett had stood for the [[Australian Senate]] under the [[Nuclear Disarmament Party]] banner and narrowly lost. He won the seat of [[Division of Kingsford Smith|Kingsford Smith]] at the [[2004 Australian federal election|2004 General Election]] for the [[Australian Labor Party]] and was selected as Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Heritage and the Arts. On Thursday, 29 November 2007, Prime Minister elect [[Kevin Rudd]] named Garrett as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. The other members of the band continued to work together, but not under the Midnight Oil name.

After a warm up gig the previous evening at the Manly-Warringah Leagues Club, the band, including Garrett, reunited to perform at the [[WaveAid]] concert on 29 January 2005 to raise funds for the victims of the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|26 December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami]]. The concert, which took place at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]], also included performances by [[Powderfinger]], [[Silverchair]], [[Nick Cave]], [[John Butler Trio]], [[Finn Brothers]], and others.

On 29 October 2006, Midnight Oil was inducted into the [[ARIA Hall of Fame]] with ARIA chairman [[Denis Handlin]] describing them:

{{blockquote|For 30 years, on their journey from inside Sydney's Royal Antler Hotel to outside the Exxon Building in New York, the Oils have always led from the front. They spoke to us – and to the world – in a uniquely Australian way. [...] Their music speaks first – it's powerful, it's uncompromising, it's unique rock music that inspires, entertains and will last forever. [...] My favourite Oils lyric, which summarises it all is: 'It's better to die on your feet than live on your knees.'<ref name="Jeff" />|[[Denis Handlin]]|2006 }}

[[Rob Hirst]], in his acceptance speech, thanked his family, bandmates, and support from fellow Australians. He also lamented the fact that unlike the Vietnam war, which had inspired some of the best [[protest songs]] ever written, very few had been written in reaction to the invasion of Iraq.<ref name="Jeff" />

''[[Flat Chat]]'', another compilation album, was released in November 2006 and peaked at No.&nbsp;21 on the ARIA album charts.<ref name="AusCharts" /> Rumours of an appearance by Midnight Oil at the [[Live Earth concert, Sydney|Sydney leg]] of the [[Live Earth]] concert in July 2007<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/sydney-to-kick-off-earth-concerts/2007/04/11/1175971145480.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 |title=Sydney to kick off Earth concerts |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=11 April 2007 |access-date=25 October 2008 }}</ref> were false. However [[Ghostwriters]], founded by drummer Hirst and [[Hoodoo Gurus]] bass guitarist [[Richard Grossman (bassist)|Rick Grossman]] and including former Oils guitarist [[Martin Rotsey]], performed six tracks including the Oils' song "When the Generals Talk", whilst [[Peter Garrett]] gave a speech introducing a reformed [[Crowded House]].

Aside from Ghostwriters, Hirst has also been a member of [[Backsliders (band)|Backsliders]], performed with former Olympian [[Paul Greene (athlete)|Paul Greene]], with fellow Backsliders member [[Dom Turner]] on ''The Angry Tradesmen'', and, with Rotsey, assisted on [[Jim Moginie]]'s solo album ''Alas Folkloric'' in 2006.

=== 2009 reformation ===
On the evenings of 12 and 13 March 2009 a reformed Midnight Oil, with Garrett, played at the [[Royal Theatre (Canberra)|Royal Theatre]] in Canberra.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/specialbroadcasts/midnight-oil2c-canberra-2009/4318932 | title=Rare Oils – Special Broadcasts – Royal Theatre Canberra, 12 and 13 March 2009 | publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | work=[[ABC Radio National]] | date=2 November 2012 | access-date=9 August 2017}}</ref> The following day, 14 March they headlined the [[Sound Relief]] concert in Melbourne.<ref name="Brumby">{{cite web|url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/premier/artists-unite-for-sound-relief-bushfire-benefit.html |title=Artists Unite For 'Sound Relief' Bushfire Benefit – Premier of Victoria, Australia |last=Brumby |first=John |author-link=John Brumby |publisher=Premier of Victoria |date=24 February 2009 |access-date=25 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716020126/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/premier/artists-unite-for-sound-relief-bushfire-benefit.html |archive-date=16 July 2009 }}</ref> This event was held at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] (MCG) to raise money for victims of [[February 2009 Victorian bushfires|Victoria's February bushfire disaster]].<ref name="Mitchell">{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25099180-661,00.html |title=Coldplay, Kings of Leon to headline bushfire relief concerts |last=Mitchell |first=Geraldine |work=Herald Sun |location=Australia |publisher=[[The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd]] |date=24 February 2009 |access-date=25 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225040650/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0%2C21985%2C25099180-661%2C00.html |archive-date=25 February 2009 }}</ref> The event was held simultaneously with a concert at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]].<ref name="Brumby" /> All proceeds from the Melbourne Concert went to the [[Australian Red Cross|Red Cross]] Victorian Bushfire relief.<ref name="Brumby" /><ref name="Mitchell" /> Appearing with Midnight Oil in Melbourne were [[Augie March]], Bliss N Eso with Paris Wells, [[Gabriella Cilmi]], [[Hunters & Collectors]], [[Jack Johnson (musician)|Jack Johnson]], [[Kasey Chambers]] & Shane Nicholson with [[Troy Cassar-Daley]], [[Kings of Leon]], [[Liam Finn]], [[Crowded House]], [[Jet (band)|Jet]], [[Paul Kelly (Australian musician)|Paul Kelly]], [[Split Enz]] and [[Wolfmother]].<ref name="Official">{{cite web|url=http://www.soundrelief.com.au/melb/index.php |title=Latest News |publisher=Sound Relief |access-date=25 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227073309/http://www.soundrelief.com.au/melb/index.php |archive-date=27 February 2009 }}</ref>

=== Reunion, the Great Circle Tour, ''Midnight Oil: 1984'' and ''Armistice Day'' ===
On 4 May 2016 it was announced on the band's website that Midnight Oil intended to reform and embark on a tour in 2017 (their first concerts in Australia since 2002 and their first world tour since 1997).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.midnightoil.com/a-message-from-midnight-oil/ | title=A message from Midnight Oil | publisher=Midnight Oil | date=4 May 2016 | access-date=30 January 2020 }}</ref> Such plans were confirmed in February 2017, when the band announced ''The Great Circle Tour'', which kicked off in April. After three warm up concerts in their native Australia, the band toured Brazil, the U.S., Canada, Europe, South Africa, Singapore and New Zealand before going back to play a series of concerts around the whole of Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.midnightoil.com/tour-dates/#past-dates|title=Tour Dates|publisher=Midnight Oil|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> The band performed 77 concerts in 16 countries during the tour.

In March 2018, the band announced the release of a new documentary film entitled ''Midnight Oil: 1984''. Directed by Ray Argall, the film primarily consists of previously-unseen footage from the band's tour in support of ''Red Sails in the Sunset''. The film was given an Australian cinematic release in May 2018, an Australian DVD/Blu-ray release the following July and a limited North American and New Zealand cinematic release that August.

One of the Great Circle tour's final concerts was held on [[Armistice Day]] at The Domain, in [[Sydney]] on 11 November 2017. Both shows at the Domain (the band also performed there on 17 November) were filmed and recorded, being turned into the live album and film ''Armistice Day: Live at the Domain, Sydney''. The film was given a one-night cinematic release on 24 October 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Midnight Oil Armistice Day: Live at The Domain, Sydney |url=https://www.eventcinemas.com.au/Movie/Midnight-Oil-Armistice-Day-Live-At-The-Domain-Syd |website=Event Cinemas |access-date=3 April 2019}}</ref> On 9 November 2018, ''Armistice Day'' was released as a live album, as well as on DVD and Blu-ray.<ref>{{cite web |title=Armistice Day: Live At The Domain, Sydney' album, DVD and Blu-Ray out Fri 9 Nov |url=https://www.midnightoil.com/armisticeday/ |website=Midnight Oil |access-date=3 April 2019}}</ref>

In December 2018, the band announced a European and UK tour for June and July 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Midnight Oil announce 2019 tour return |url=https://www.midnightoil.com/midnightoil2019/ |access-date=3 April 2019}}</ref> The band were also announced as the headlining act of the Big Red Bash festival, taking place in Birdsville, Queensland.<ref>{{cite web |title=Big Red Bash |url=http://www.bigredbash.com.au/bigredbash/index |access-date=3 April 2019}}</ref> In April 2019, the band announced headlining shows in [[Thirroul]] and [[Canberra]] as warm-up shows for their European tour.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Savage |first1=Desiree |title=Midnight Oil to play Wollongong and Canberra, the only headline shows for 2019 |url=https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5989200/midnight-oil-to-play-one-off-gigs-including-one-at-thirroul/ |website=Illawarra Mercury |date=3 April 2019 |access-date=3 April 2019}}</ref> With the announcement came news that the band intended to record new material for a projected 2020 release.<ref>{{cite web |title=MIDNIGHT OIL REVEAL FINAL 2019 GIGS & POSSIBLE RECORDING PLANS |url=https://www.midnightoil.com/oils2019/ |access-date=3 April 2019}}</ref>

=== 2020: ''The Makarrata Project'' and "Gadigal Land" ===
{{Main|The Makarrata Project}}
On 7 August 2020, Midnight Oil released their first song in 18 years titled "[[Gadigal Land]]", with all earnings going to organisations promoting the ''[[Uluru Statement from the Heart]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dwyer|first=Michael|date=6 August 2020|title=Midnight Oil's Gadigal Land is an uncompromising song of rage|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/midnight-oil-s-gadigal-land-is-an-uncompromising-song-of-rage-20200806-p55j89.html|access-date=7 August 2020|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}</ref> The song featured poetry spoken in the [[Gadigal]] language.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The story behind the Gadigal poetry on Midnight Oil's latest track|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2020/08/07/story-behind-gadigal-poetry-midnight-oils-latest-track|access-date=7 August 2020|website=NITV|date=7 August 2020|language=en}}</ref> It is the first song from a mini-album titled ''[[The Makarrata Project]]'',<ref>{{cite web | title=Midnight Oil Release First New Song in 17 Years | website=Spin | date=6 August 2020 | url=https://www.spin.com/2020/08/midnight-oil-gadigal-land-release/ | access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref> whose name is related to one of the elements of the ''Uluru Statement'', a [[Yolngu language|Yolngu]] word approximating a peace agreement or type of treaty.<ref>{{cite web | title=What is a Makarrata? The Yolngu word is more than a synonym for treaty |first= Luke |last=Pearson| website=ABC News |publisher =Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=10 August 2017 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-10/makarrata-explainer-yolngu-word-more-than-synonym-for-treaty/8790452 | access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref> "Gadigal Land" peaked at number 5 on the Australian digital sales song chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/australia-digital-song-sales/2020-08-22|title=Australia Digital Song Sales Chart: 22 August 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=2 January 2013|access-date=21 August 2020}}</ref>

''The Makarrata Project'' was released on 30 October 2020<ref>{{cite web |title=Midnight Oil Detail Forthcoming Mini-Album, 'The Makarrata Project' |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/midnight-oil-detail-the-makarrata-project-17379/ |website=Rolling Stone Australia |access-date=8 November 2020 |language=en-AU |date=25 September 2020}}</ref> and reached Number 1 in the Australian albums chart on 6 November 2020.<ref name="theguardian.com" />

Bass guitarist Bones Hillman died on 7 November 2020 of cancer at his home in the United States.<ref name="hillman">{{cite web |title=Midnight Oil's 'bassist with the beautiful voice' Bones Hillman dies |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-08/midnight-oil-bones-hillman-bassist-dies-cancer-aged-62/12861926 |website=www.abc.net.au |access-date=8 November 2020 |language=en-AU |date=8 November 2020}}</ref> The surviving members of Midnight Oil announced Hillman's death in a statement that remembered him as "the bassist with the beautiful voice, the band member with the wicked sense of humour, and our brilliant musical comrade."<ref name="hillman" />

=== 2021–present: ''Resist'' and final tour ===
{{main|Resist (Midnight Oil album)}}
On 18 May 2021, Midnight Oil announced on Twitter that their thirteenth album, with the working title ''Show of Hands'', was scheduled for release during their performance at the 2021 [[Byron Bay Bluesfest]]. As the event was cancelled in mid-August and the majority of lineup was confirmed for the 2022 edition (set to 14 April), the band's plans to release the album remained undefined for some six months.

On 28 October 2021, the band released on YouTube a video for their first single from the album, "[[Rising Seas (song)|Rising Seas]]".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bareton |first1=Greta |title=Midnight Oil call out government inaction on climate change with new single 'Rising Seas' |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/midnight-oil-call-out-government-inaction-on-climate-change-with-new-single-rising-seas-3082037 |website=NME Australia |date=28 October 2021 |publisher=BandLab Technologies |access-date=25 November 2021}}</ref> They announced the single on Twitter: "The uncompromising song, released on the eve of [the United Nations Climate Change Conference] ([[COP26]]), adds the band's unique voice to billions of others around the world seeking a safe, habitable, and fair future for our planet." The band featured no bassist in the video, leaving only a bass guitar in a stand in the background beside the drums as a tribute to Hillman.

On 26 November 2021, the band officially announced the album ''[[Resist (Midnight Oil album)|Resist]]'', which was released 18 February 2022. With the announcement of the album came the release of national Australian tour dates for 2022, which the band confirmed would be their last, while simultaneously confirming that the band will continue to make music together in the future.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Neal |first1=Matt |title=Midnight Oil announce final tour to coincide with latest studio album |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-26/midnight-oil-announce-final-tour/100652360 |website=ABC News |date=25 November 2021 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=25 November 2021}}</ref> ''Resist: The Final Tour'' concluded on 3 October 2022 at the [[Hordern Pavilion]] in Sydney with a 40-song, three-and-a-half-hour set from the band.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Billy |first1=August |title=Midnight Oil Perform For Over Three Hours at Final Ever Show |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/midnight-oil-perform-for-over-three-hours-at-final-ever-show-sydney/ |website=Music Feeds |date=4 October 2022 |publisher=Evolve Media |access-date=10 October 2022}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Midnight Oil initially faced resistance from the [[mainstream media]],<ref>{{cite episode|title=Peter Garrett|series=Sounds|series-link=Sounds (Australian TV series)|first=Donnie|last=Sutherland|author-link=Donnie Sutherland|network=[[Seven Network]]|date=6 December 1980|quote=There's not a great deal of press outside of the rock magazines, and radio have been reluctant to play [Midnight Oil] records.}}</ref> but went on to sell over 20 million albums.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/midnight-oil-announces-2022-tour-will-be-their-last-ever-20211125-p59c4n.html|title=Midnight Oil announces 2022 tour will be the last|last=Zuel|first=Bernard|author-link=Bernard Zuel|date=26 November 2021|website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=1 March 2022}}</ref> They were inducted into the [[ARIA Hall of Fame]] in 2006, having won 11 [[ARIA Awards]] during their career.<ref name=hof>{{cite web|url= http://www.ariahalloffame.com.au/inductees_listing.htm |title= ARIA 2008 Hall of Fame inductees listing |publisher= [[ARIA Hall of Fame]] |access-date= 20 October 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080802221754/http://www.ariahalloffame.com.au/inductees_listing.htm |archive-date= 2 August 2008 |url-status= dead |df= dmy }}</ref><ref name=ariahof>{{cite web|url= http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-award.php?awardID=36 |title= Winners by Award: Hall of Fame |publisher= [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) |access-date= 25 October 2008 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090202052952/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-award.php?awardID=36 |archive-date= 2 February 2009 }}</ref> [[AllMusic]] noted that the band "brought a new sense of political and social immediacy to pop music", and were "inspirational and successful in their homeland",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/midnight-oil-mn0000405903/biography|title=Midnight Oil: Biography|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> while critic [[Bernard Zuel]] wrote, "It's been said of Midnight Oil that 'this is what Australia sounds like'."<ref name="zuel">{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/12/03/1038712934982.html|title=The sun sets on Midnight Oil|last=Zuel|first=Bernard|author-link=Bernard Zuel|date=4 December 2002|website=[[The Age]]|access-date=6 February 2018}}</ref> Author [[Tim Winton]] remarked, "It was almost too much to believe that rock music could be about anything but itself. You know: life on the road and the inconvenience of [[Venereal disease|VD]]. Dicks and chicks. [[Faux Americana]]. Finally someone was playing stuff that was musically idiosyncratic, fresh and strong. And authentic."<ref name="zuel" /> ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' founder [[Bob Guccione Jr.]] said of Midnight Oil, "If they were from New Jersey they'd be bigger than [[U2]]."<ref>{{cite journal|last=Guccione|first=Bob Jr.|author-link=Bob Guccione Jr.|date=April 1990|title=10 best by Bob Guccione Jr|journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|pages=50}}</ref> ''[[Guardian Australia|Guardian]]'' writer Andrew Street called them "one of Australia's most beloved bands".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/australia-culture-blog/2014/jun/05/midnight-oil-should-they-reform|title=Midnight Oil: should they reform?|last=Street|first=Andrew|date=5 June 2014|website=[[Guardian Australia|Guardian]]|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref>

The group have influenced international acts such as [[Green Day]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/news/music/green-day-down-under/2005/12/14/1134500885995.html|title=Green Day down under|date=14 December 2005|website=[[The Age]]|access-date=11 February 2018}}</ref> [[R.E.M.]],<ref>{{cite journal|date=January 1996|title=REM: Really Excellent Music|journal=[[Rip It Up (New Zealand)|Rip It Up]]|publisher=Hark Entertainment Ltd|quote=Our early stuff was definitely informed by groups like... Midnight Oil.}}</ref> [[Pearl Jam]],<ref name="duran">{{cite web|url=http://spotlightreport.net/on-the-spot-2/concert_reviews/on-the-spot-eddie-vedder-live-in-canberra-review|title=On the spot: Eddie Vedder – Live in Canberra|last=Duran|first=Jorge|date=17 March 2011|website=Spotlight Report|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> [[Garbage (band)|Garbage]],<ref>{{cite journal|date=16 October 2002|title=M-One Rock Fest, 7 October|journal=[[Inpress]]|publisher=Street Press Australia|quote=[Shirley] Manson spoke effusively about The Oils' influence on her band's work.}}</ref> [[The Cranberries]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-cranberries-mn0000784814/related|title=The Cranberries: Related|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=10 November 2017}}</ref> [[Biffy Clyro]],<ref name="fawbert">{{cite web|url=https://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/music/biffy-clyros-ultimate-playlist/80784|title=Biffy Clyro's Ultimate Playlist|last=Fawbert|first=Dave|date=6 July 2016|website=[[ShortList]]|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> [[Candlebox]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westword.com/music/all-fired-up-5053713|title=All fired up|last=Rodgers|first=Ellie|date=16 February 1994|website=[[Westword]]|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> [[Maná]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/man%C3%A1-mn0000673621/related|title=Maná: Related|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=10 November 2017}}</ref> [[Hot Water Music]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/55092/interviews-chuck-ragan|title=Chuck Ragan|last=Gentile|first=John|date=11 June 2014|publisher=Punknews.org|access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref> and [[Shades Apart]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.revelationrecords.com/band/131|title=Shades Apart|publisher=[[Revelation Records]]|access-date=11 February 2018}}</ref> as well as Australian performers like [[Crowded House]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/crowded-house-mn0000130173/related|title=Crowded House: Related|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=10 November 2017}}</ref> [[Powderfinger]],<ref>{{cite book|author1=Scatena, Dino|author2=Powderfinger|date=2011|title=Powderfinger: Footprints|publisher=[[Hachette (publisher)|Hachette Australia]]|page=240|isbn=978-0-7336-2882-5|quote=Midnight Oil invited the Fingers to join them on the bill of the Woodford Folk Festival. It was a show that had a profound effect on the band... they watched Midnight Oil perform. The whole experience reinforced the concept of blending social consciousness with musicianship of the highest calibre.}}</ref> [[The Living End]],<ref name="yates">{{cite web|url=http://rollingstoneaus.com/playlists/post/my-life-in-10-songs-chris-cheney/3824|title=My Life in 10 Songs: Chris Cheney|last=Yates|first=Rod|date=13 May 2016|website=[[Rolling Stone Australia]]|access-date=15 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117131133/http://rollingstoneaus.com/playlists/post/my-life-in-10-songs-chris-cheney/3824|archive-date=17 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[John Butler (musician)|John Butler]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/why-midnight-oils-return-to-the-world-stage-is-timely-for-a-new-generation-of-musicians/news-story/9b779952298dea9d923727e1020439c2|title=Support acts tell why Midnight Oil matters|date=25 February 2017|website=[[Herald Sun]]|access-date=16 January 2018|quote=John Butler cited The Oils... as the inspiration for him to make music which would 'contribute to a better world and for it to shine light into the shadows'... he said The Oils 'will always be a group that musicians and individuals to look up to'.}}{{Subscription required}}</ref> [[DMA's]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/whats-on/music/music-interview-dma-s-we-like-to-give-a-high-energy-rock-n-roll-set-with-a-few-acoustic-tunes-throughout-1-8682324|title=Music interview – DMA's|last=Newton|first=Tom|date=3 August 2017|website=[[Yorkshire Evening Post]]|access-date=11 February 2018}}</ref> and [[Tim Freedman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/Music/Oz-rocks-hard-place/2004/12/27/1103996480740.html|title=Oz rock's hard place|last=Mordue|first=Mark|date=28 December 2004|website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> R.E.M. frontman [[Michael Stipe]] described Peter Garrett as a "brilliant" songwriter who is "able to imagine a situation, put [himself] into it and write about it", adding, "That, to me, is incredible".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/features/rem-time-record-challenges-92131/4|title=REM on Out Of Time: 'This is a record of challenges'|last=Pinnock|first=Tom|date=26 August 2016|website=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> Crowded House singer [[Neil Finn]] went on to have multiple collaborations with Jim Moginie, whom he called "a great guy and an amazing guitar player".<ref>{{cite episode|title=Neil Finn|series=120 Minutes|series-link=120 Minutes|network=[[MTV2]]|station=[[Viacom Media Networks]]|date=21 July 2002}}</ref> Biffy Clyro vocalist [[Simon Neil]] said of Midnight Oil, "Every night for about three weeks, driving home from the studio I would just put '[[Beds Are Burning]]' on, just on loop... They're a really underrated band."<ref name="fawbert" /> The Living End founder [[Chris Cheney]] reported that his ensemble listened to "a lot of [Midnight Oil's] ''[[10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1]]'' and ''[[Red Sails in the Sunset (album)|Red Sails in the Sunset]]'', and were blown away by their fearlessness in not being shackled to a style".<ref name="yates" /> The group have also inspired artists outside the realm of popular music, including poet [[Daniel Nester]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/midnight-oils-time-has-come-again-2495392780.html|title=Midnight Oil's Time Has Come Again|last=Nester|first=Daniel|author-link=Daniel Nester|date=7 May 2017|website=[[PopMatters]]|access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref> and painter [[Nicholas Harding]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/news/art-of-music-event-raises-over-dollar263k-for-charity|title=Jenny Morris' Art Of Music raises over $263k for charity|last=Eliezer|first=Christie|date=27 June 2016|website=[[The Music Network]]|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref>

Midnight Oil's songs have been covered by performers such as Pearl Jam<ref>{{cite book|last1=Corbett|first1=Bernard M|last2=Harkins|first2=Thomas Edward|date=2016|title=Pearl Jam FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Seattle's Most Enduring Band|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tsFwDQAAQBAJ&q=%22pearl+jam%22+%22beds+are+burning%22+cover&pg=PT337|publisher=[[Hal Leonard Corporation|Backbeat Books]]|isbn=978-1-61713-612-2|quote=Midnight Oil... had a huge commercial hit with 1987's 'Beds Are Burning'. Pearl Jam covered the song twice over the course of four days during a trip to Australia during the Fall 2006 Tour.}}</ref> (and frontman [[Eddie Vedder]] solo<ref name="duran" />), U2,<ref>{{cite journal|last=Weldon|first=Jason|date=21 November 2006|title=U2 still showing young pretenders how it's done|journal=[[Drum Media]]|publisher=Treweek|quote=The 19 November Melbourne audience was treated to a short cover of The Oils' 'Beds Are Burning'.}}</ref> [[Patti Smith]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/03/patti-smith-review-brighton-charismatic-goof-punk-rock-poet|title=Patti Smith review – so charismatic she can goof up all she likes|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|author-link=Alexis Petridis|date=3 June 2018|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=16 June 2018}}</ref> [[The Killers]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/09/30/everyone-loves-the-killers-for-playing-a-very-political-midnight-oil-song-at-afl-grand-final_a_23228049/|title=Everyone Loves The Killers For Playing (A Very Political) Midnight Oil Song At AFL Grand Final|last=Sharwood|first=Anthony|date=30 September 2017|website=[[HuffPost]]|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> [[Imagine Dragons]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://themusic.com.au/music/livereviews/2015/09/07/imagine-dragons-margaret-court-arena-michael-prebeg/|title=Imagine Dragons, British India – Melbourne Park|last=Prebeg|first=Michael|date=2 September 2015|website=TheMusic.com.au|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> [[Silverchair]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/a-look-back-at-15-of-the-most-memorable-aria-awards-performances/852344|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125131114/http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/a-look-back-at-15-of-the-most-memorable-aria-awards-performances/852344|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 November 2016|title=A look back at 15 of the most memorable ARIA Awards performances|last=Mann|first=Tom|date=24 November 2015|publisher=[[Junkee Media]]|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> [[Tom Morello]] (as [[The Nightwatchman]]),<ref name="penn">{{cite web|url=http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/big-day-out-flemington-racecourse-melbourne-28012008/790193|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117013712/http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/big-day-out-flemington-racecourse-melbourne-28012008/790193|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 January 2018|title=Big Day Out @ Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne (28/01/2008)|last=Penn|first=Barbara|date=4 February 2008|publisher=[[Junkee Media]]|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> [[Billy Bragg]]<ref name="penn" /> and [[Anti-Flag]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/media/s2168864.htm|title=Like A Version – Anti-Flag|date=22 January 2008|publisher=[[ABC Online]]|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> U2 singer [[Bono]] recorded a speech for Midnight Oil's ARIA Hall of Fame induction, sections of which aired intermittently. He recited the chorus lyrics of their song "Forgotten Years" and hailed the outfit as an "extraordinary" band whose music "brought people's differences together; not to resolve them, just to get them in the same room, up each other's noses".<ref>{{cite episode|title=Midnight Oil's ARIA Hall of Fame induction|series=''[[ARIA Music Awards of 2006]]''|network=[[Network Ten]]|station=[[Ten Network Holdings]]|date=29 October 2006}}</ref> Killers vocalist [[Brandon Flowers]] said, "I wish I'd written 'Forgotten Years'... That song touches my heart."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/killers-brandon-flowers-on-mormonism-mr-brightside-w502365|title=Killers' Brandon Flowers on Mormonism, Why 'Mr. Brightside' Is Bigger Than Ever|last=Greene|first=Andy|date=12 September 2017|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> Midnight Oil's music is the subject of 2001 tribute album ''The Power & The Passion'', which features covers by several mainstream rock acts from Australia and New Zealand, including [[Something for Kate]], [[Regurgitator]], [[Grinspoon]], [[Jebediah]], [[Augie March]] and [[Shihad]].<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Various artists|date=2001|title=The Power & The Passion|medium=CD|publisher=Trademark Records (Australia)|id=TM013}}</ref> In 2009, a version of "Beds Are Burning" was recorded by numerous musicians – among them [[Duran Duran]], [[Lily Allen]], [[Bob Geldof]], [[Fergie (singer)|Fergie]], [[Mark Ronson]] and [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]] – in protest of global warming and climate change.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/oct/01/lily-allen-celebrity-climate-campaign|title=Lily Allen and Duran Duran launch celebrity climate campaign track|last=Chrisafis|first=Angelique|date=1 October 2009|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref>

Music journalist [[Kurt Loder]] once noted that Midnight Oil were "reputed to be Australia's most formidable live act";<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/men-at-work-out-to-lunch-19830623|title=Men at Work: Out to Lunch|last=Loder|first=Kurt|author-link=Kurt Loder|date=23 June 1983|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> Tomas Mureika in [[AllMusic]] argued they were "the tightest band on the planet for a time".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/best-of-both-worlds-mw0000467837|title=Midnight Oil: ''Best of Both Worlds''|last=Mureika|first=Tomas|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=19 January 2018}}</ref> Writer [[John O'Donnell (music journalist)|John O'Donnell]] said that the group's performances "quickly became the stuff of legend and earned the band a large and fiercely loyal following".<ref>{{cite journal|last=O'Donnell|first=John|author-link=John O'Donnell (music journalist)|date=April 1990|title=Oil burns in the Outback|journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|pages=28}}</ref> [[Cold Chisel]] singer [[Jimmy Barnes]] called them "one of the greatest bands ever and one of my favourite live bands in the world".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/barnes-i-wouldnt-go-on-that-show-if-you-paid-me/news-story/327c5f3e610968d3b1725cc2b450c6ad|title=Barnes: 'I wouldn't go on that show if you paid me'|last=Adams|first=Cameron|date=4 June 2016|publisher=[[news.com.au]]|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> [[The Smashing Pumpkins]] frontman [[Billy Corgan]] referred to the 2016 announcement of Midnight Oil's impending reformation as "awesome news", noting that they are "one of the greatest live bands I've ever seen".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/smashingpumpkins/posts/10154235193627642|title=Midnight Oil to reform|last=Corgan|first=William Patrick|author-link=Billy Corgan|date=5 May 2016|publisher=The Smashing Pumpkins on Facebook|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> Corgan had previously likened his dancing to that of Peter Garrett.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/garrett-for-pm-president/news-story/60f85242216b46ba3e667e98691666cc?sv=361b654a98e32999ba8e6322c17a0ebe|title=Garrett for PM, president|date=28 March 2008|website=[[Herald Sun]]|access-date=24 January 2018}}</ref> Garrett's onstage routine – described by critic [[Richard McGregor]] as "mesmerising"<ref>{{cite journal|first=Richard|last=McGregor|author-link=Richard McGregor|title=Australian Reviews|journal=[[Rolling Stone Australia|Rolling Stone]]|date=22 March 1979|page=43|publisher=Silvertongues Pty Ltd|location=North Sydney, NSW}}</ref> – incorporates a wild and eccentric dance style;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna22023548|title=From rocker to Aussie environment minister|date=29 November 2007|publisher=[[NBC News]]|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/midnight-oil-drummer-hints-at-reunion-after-peter-garrett-finishes-memoir-20140603-zrww4|title=Midnight Oil drummer hints at reunion after Peter Garrett finishes memoir|date=4 June 2014|website=[[The Age]]|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref> ''[[Guardian Australia|Guardian]]'' journalist Andrew Stafford wrote that Garrett has a "unique dance step that captivated audiences for over 20 years" prior to the group's 2002 disbandment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jul/17/midnight-oil-frontman-peter-garrett-is-back-and-hes-ready-to-dance-again|title=Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett is back – and he's ready to dance again|last=Stafford|first=Andrew|date=17 July 2016|website=[[Guardian Australia|Guardian]]|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> His dancing was imitated in Parliament by Australian politicians [[Peter Costello]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2015/11/04/shorten-dances-in-kiribati_n_8467280.html|title=Bill Shorten Dances During Community Event In Kiribati|last=Barlow|first=Karen|date=4 November 2015|website=[[HuffPost]]|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> and [[John Elferink]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Smee|first1=Ben|last2=Walsh|first2=Christopher A|date=2016|title=Crocs in The Cabinet: Northern Territory politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kxUmDQAAQBAJ&q=%22imitated+Peter+Garrett%27s+dancing+on+the+floor+of+Parliament%22&pg=PT119|publisher=[[Hachette (publisher)|Hachette Australia]]|isbn=978-0-7336-3752-0|quote=Elferink embraced the oddball in a light-hearted sort of way. He quoted Taylor Swift during estimates hearings, imitated Peter Garrett's dancing on the floor of Parliament.}}</ref>

== Personnel ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Current members'''
*[[Peter Garrett]] – lead vocals, harmonica <small>(1976–2002, 2005, 2009, 2016–present)</small>
*[[Rob Hirst]] – drums, backing and occasional lead vocals <small>(1976–2002, 2005, 2009, 2016–present)</small>
*[[Jim Moginie]] – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals <small>(1976–2002, 2005, 2009, 2016–present)</small>
*[[Martin Rotsey]] – guitars <small>(1977–2002, 2005, 2009, 2016–present)</small>

'''Former members'''
*Andrew James – bass <small>(1976–1980),</small> backing vocals <small>(1979–1980)</small>
*[[Peter Gifford]] – bass, backing vocals <small>(1980–1987)</small>
*[[Bones Hillman]] – bass, backing vocals <small>(1987–2002, 2005, 2009, 2016–2020; died 2020)</small>

{{col-2}}
'''Former touring musicians'''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rockman |first1=Lisa |title=First Nations artists join Midnight Oil on Makarrata Live tour at Hunter Valley's Hope Estate |url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/7111431/midnight-oil-calls-for-justice-on-makarrata-live-tour |website=Newcastle Herald |date=4 February 2021 |access-date=24 February 2021}}</ref>
* [[Charlie McMahon]] – didgeridoo <small>(1984, 1986)</small>
* Glad Reed – trombone <small>(1985–1990, 2009)</small>
* [[Chris Abrahams]] – keyboards <small>(1993–1994, 2000)</small>
* Jack Howard – trumpet, flugelhorn, keyboards, percussion <small>(2017)</small>
* Andy Bickers – saxophone <small>(2019, 2021–2022)</small>
* Adam Ventoura – bass, backing vocals <small>(2021–2022)</small>
* [[Leah Flanagan]] – backing vocals <small>(2021–2022)</small>
* [[Liz Stringer]] – backing vocals, acoustic guitar <small>(2021–2022)</small>
{{col-end}}

===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize  = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea   = left:150 bottom:80 top:10 right:10
Alignbars  = justify
DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period     = from:01/01/1976 till:{{#time: d/m/Y }}
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend     = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4
ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:1976
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1976

Colors =
 id:vocals  value:red    legend:Lead_vocals,_harmonica
 id:backing value:pink   legend:Backing_vocals
 id:guitar  value:green  legend:Guitar
 id:keys    value:purple legend:Keyboards
 id:bass    value:blue   legend:Bass
 id:drums   value:orange legend:Drums,_occasional_lead_vocals
 id:album   value:black  legend:Studio_album
 id:bars    value:gray(0.9)
BackgroundColors = bars:bars

BarData =
 bar:Peter  text:"Peter Garrett"
 bar:Jim    text:"Jim Moginie"
 bar:Martin text:"Martin Rotsey"
 bar:Bear   text:"Andrew James"
 bar:Giffo  text:"Peter Gifford"
 bar:Bones  text:"Bones Hillman"
 bar:Rob    text:"Rob Hirst"

LineData = 
 layer:back
 color:album
 at:01/11/1978
 at:01/10/1979
 at:01/11/1981
 at:01/11/1982
 at:01/10/1984
 at:01/08/1987
 at:25/02/1990
 at:20/04/1993
 at:15/10/1996
 at:03/11/1998
 at:19/02/2002
 at:30/10/2020
 at:18/02/2022

PlotData =
 width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4)
 bar:Peter  from:start      till:02/12/2002 color:vocals
 bar:Peter  from:28/01/2005 till:30/01/2005 color:vocals
 bar:Peter  from:12/03/2009 till:14/03/2009 color:vocals
 bar:Peter  from:04/05/2016 till:end        color:vocals
 bar:Jim    from:start      till:02/12/2002 color:guitar
 bar:Jim    from:start      till:01/01/1990 color:keys    width:3
 bar:Jim    from:01/01/1990 till:02/12/2002 color:keys    width:7
 bar:Jim    from:01/01/1990 till:02/12/2002 color:backing width:3
 bar:Jim    from:28/01/2005 till:30/01/2005 color:guitar
 bar:Jim    from:28/01/2005 till:30/01/2005 color:keys    width:7
 bar:Jim    from:28/01/2005 till:30/01/2005 color:backing width:3
 bar:Jim    from:12/03/2009 till:14/03/2009 color:guitar
 bar:Jim    from:12/03/2009 till:14/03/2009 color:keys    width:7
 bar:Jim    from:12/03/2009 till:14/03/2009 color:backing width:3
 bar:Jim    from:04/05/2016 till:end        color:guitar
 bar:Jim    from:04/05/2016 till:end        color:keys    width:7
 bar:Jim    from:04/05/2016 till:end        color:backing width:3
 bar:Martin from:01/01/1977 till:02/12/2002 color:guitar
 bar:Martin from:28/01/2005 till:30/01/2005 color:guitar
 bar:Martin from:12/03/2009 till:14/03/2009 color:guitar
 bar:Martin from:04/05/2016 till:end        color:guitar
 bar:Bear   from:start      till:01/04/1980 color:bass
 bar:Bear   from:01/06/1979 till:01/04/1980 color:backing width:3
 bar:Giffo  from:01/04/1980 till:01/08/1987 color:bass
 bar:Giffo  from:01/04/1980 till:01/08/1987 color:backing width:3
 bar:Bones  from:01/08/1987 till:02/12/2002 color:bass
 bar:Bones  from:01/08/1987 till:02/12/2002 color:backing width:3
 bar:Bones  from:28/01/2005 till:30/01/2005 color:bass
 bar:Bones  from:28/01/2005 till:30/01/2005 color:backing width:3
 bar:Bones  from:12/03/2009 till:14/03/2009 color:bass
 bar:Bones  from:12/03/2009 till:14/03/2009 color:backing width:3
 bar:Bones  from:04/05/2016 till:08/11/2020 color:bass
 bar:Bones  from:04/05/2016 till:08/11/2020 color:backing width:3
 bar:Rob    from:start      till:02/12/2002 color:drums
 bar:Rob    from:start      till:02/12/2002 color:backing width:3
 bar:Rob    from:28/01/2005 till:30/01/2005 color:drums
 bar:Rob    from:28/01/2005 till:30/01/2005 color:backing width:3
 bar:Rob    from:12/03/2009 till:14/03/2009 color:drums
 bar:Rob    from:12/03/2009 till:14/03/2009 color:backing width:3
 bar:Rob    from:04/05/2016 till:end        color:drums
 bar:Rob    from:04/05/2016 till:end        color:backing width:3
}}

== Discography ==
{{Main|Midnight Oil discography}}

'''Studio albums'''
* ''[[Midnight Oil (Midnight Oil album)|Midnight Oil]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Head Injuries]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Place without a Postcard]]'' (1981)
* ''[[10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Red Sails in the Sunset (album)|Red Sails in the Sunset]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Diesel and Dust]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Blue Sky Mining]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Earth and Sun and Moon]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Breathe (Midnight Oil album)|Breathe]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Redneck Wonderland]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Capricornia (album)|Capricornia]]'' (2001)
* ''[[The Makarrata Project]]'' (2020)
* ''[[Resist (Midnight Oil album)|Resist]]'' (2022)

== Awards and nominations ==
=== APRA Awards ===
These annual awards were established by [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) in 1982 to honour the achievements of songwriters and music composers and to recognise their song writing skills, sales and airplay performance, by its members annually.<ref name="APRA History" /> From 1982 to 1990, the best songs were given the Gold Award (also called the Special Award).<ref name="APRA History">{{cite web|title=History |url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History.aspx |publisher= [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) &#124; [[Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society]] (AMCOS) |access-date=9 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920230857/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History.aspx |archive-date=20 September 2010 }}</ref><ref name="APRA Awards">APRA Music Awards for Midnight Oil:
* 1989–90 winners: {{cite web
 |url=http://apraamcos.com.au/awards/1980-1989/1989-1990-music-awards/
 |title=1989–1990 APRA Music Award Winners
 |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) &#124; Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS)
 |access-date=3 December 2019
|archive-date=30 October 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030100129/https://apraamcos.com.au/awards/1980-1989/1989-1990-music-awards/
 |url-status=dead
 }} Note: APRA-AMCOS changed the timing of their awards ceremony from May to the previous November and hence a special presentation for 1989/90 recipients was made at the May 1991 ceremony.
* APRA Top 30 Australian songs (1–10): {{cite web
 |url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History/2001Top10Songs.aspx
 |title=The final list: APRA'S Ten best Australian Songs
 |last=Culnane
 |first=Paul
 |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association
 |date=28 May 2001
|access-date=3 December 2019
|url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611003021/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History/2001Top10Songs.aspx
 |archive-date=11 June 2010
}}
* APRA Top 30 Australian songs (11–20): {{cite web
 |url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History/2001Top30Songs.aspx
 |last=Kruger
 |first=Debbie
 |author-link=Debbie Kruger
 |title=The songs that resonate through the years
 |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association
 |date=2 May 2001
|access-date=3 December 2019
|url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401091541/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards/musicawards/history/2001Top30Songs.aspx
 |archive-date=1 April 2014
}}
* 2008 winners: {{cite web
 | url = http://apraamcos.com.au/awards/2018-awards/apra-music-awards/songwriter-of-the-year/
 | title = Songwriter of the Year
 | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) &#124; Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS)
 | year = 2018
 | access-date = 3 December 2019
| archive-date = 3 December 2019
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191203005246/http://apraamcos.com.au/awards/2018-awards/apra-music-awards/songwriter-of-the-year/
 | url-status = dead
 }}
* 2008 Ted Albert Award: {{cite web
 | url = http://apraamcos.com.au/awards/2018-awards/apra-music-awards/ted-albert-award-for-outstanding-services-to-australian-music/
 | title = Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music
 | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) &#124; Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS)
 | year = 2018
 | access-date = 3 December 2019
}}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
| [[APRA Music Awards of 1989|1989–90]] || "[[Beds Are Burning]]" ([[Peter Garrett]], [[Rob Hirst|Robert Hirst]], [[James Moginie]]) || Gold Award || {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[APRA Top 30 Australian songs|2001]] || "Beds Are Burning" (Garrett, Hirst, Moginie) || APRA Top 10 Australian songs || {{won|No.&nbsp;3}}
|-
| "[[Power and the Passion (song)|Power and the Passion]]" (Hirst, Moginie, Garrett) || APRA Top 30 Australian songs || {{won|11–30}}
|-
| [[APRA Music Awards of 2018|2018]] || Midnight Oil (Garrett, Hirst, Martin Rotsey, Moginie, Bones Hillman || Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music || {{won}}
|-
| [[APRA Music Awards of 2021|2021]] || "[[Gadigal Land]]" (Joel Davison, Rob Hirst, Bunna Lawrie) || Song of the Year<ref name="APRA Noms 2021">{{cite web | url = https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about/supporting-the-industry/awards/apra-music-awards-2021#_127439 | title = Nominees announced for the 2021 APRA Music Awards | publisher = APRA AMCOS | date = | access-date = 31 March 2021 }}</ref> || {{won}}
|-
| [[APRA Music Awards of 2022|2022]] || "[[First Nation (song)|First Nation]]" || Song of the Year<ref name="APRA2022Noms">{{cite web|url=https://theindustryobserver.thebrag.com/nominees-revealed-for-2022-apra-music-awards/|title=Nominees Revealed for 2022 APRA Music Awards|website=The Industry Observer|date=7 April 2022|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref> || {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2" | [[APRA Music Awards of 2023|2023]]
|rowspan="2" | "Rising Seas"
| Song of the Year <ref name="SotYshortlist">{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/2023-apra-song-of-the-year-nominees-announced/101888132 |title=These 20 songs are up for 2023 APRA Song Of The Year |website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=25 January 2023 |access-date=28 January 2023 }}</ref>
| {{shortlisted}} 
|-
| Most Performed Rock Work <ref name="APRAnoms2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about-us/news-and-events/nominees-revealed-for-the-2023-apra-music-awards|title=Nominees revealed for the 2023 APRA Music Awards|website=[[APRA Awards (Australia)|APRA Awards]]|date=30 March 2023|access-date=31 March 2023}}</ref>
| {{nom}}
|-
{{end}}

=== ARIA Music Awards ===
The [[ARIA Music Awards]] are an annual set of awards, commenced in 1987, which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of [[Australian music]]. Midnight Oil have received 11&nbsp;wins from 38&nbsp;nominations.<ref>ARIA Music Awards for Midnight Oil:
* Search Results 'Midnight Oil': {{cite web
 |url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/search?q=midnight+oil
 |title=Winners by Year: Search Results for 'Midnight Oil'
 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)
 |access-date=1 December 2019 }}
* 1987 winners and nominees: {{cite web
 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQnfp4K4G4o
 | title = ARIA Awards 1987.mov
 | publisher = YouTube. ARIA Official YouTube Account
 | date = 13 November 2011
| access-date = 1 December 2019 }}
* 1988 winners: {{cite web
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926235720/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1988
 |url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1988
 |title=Winners by Year 1988
 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)
 |archive-date=26 September 2007 |access-date=1 December 2019 |url-status=dead
}}
* 1988 winners and some nominees: {{cite news
 |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article101980224
 |title=Music Awards: A Scratch on the Record
 |last=Middleton
 |first=Karen
 |author-link=Karen Middleton (journalist)
 |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] (ACT : 1926–1995)
 |date=3 March 1988 |access-date=1 December 2019 |page=23
 |publisher=[[National Library of Australia]]
}}
* 1989 winners: {{cite web
 |url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1989
 |title=ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year: 3rd Annual ARIA Awards
 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)
 |access-date=1 December 2019 }}
* 1989 winners and nominees: {{cite news
 | title = &#91;ARIA AWARDS&#93; : &#91;1989, 3RD, SYDNEY&#93;
 | publisher = Australian Record Industry Association. Video recording of 3rd ARIA Awards (available from the [[National Film and Sound Archive]], title no. 1241401)
 | date = 6 March 1989}}
* 1991 winners and nominees: {{cite web
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608063024/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1991
 |url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1991
 |title=Winners by Year 1991
 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)
 |archive-date=8 June 2009 |access-date=1 December 2019 |url-status=dead
}}
* 1993 winners and nominees: {{cite web
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214142945/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1993
 |url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1993
 |title=Winners by Year 1993
 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)
 |archive-date=14 December 2007 |access-date=4 December 2013 |url-status=dead
}}
* 1994 winners and nominees: {{cite web
 |url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1994
 |title=Winners by Year 1994
 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)
 |access-date=3 December 2013 }}
* 1998 winners and nominees: {{cite web
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929083330/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1998
 |url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1998
 |title=Winners by Year 1998
 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)
 |archive-date=29 September 2007 |access-date=4 December 2013 |url-status=dead
}}
* 1999 winners and nominees: {{cite web
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003022011/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1999
 |url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1999
 |title=Winners by Year 1999
 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)
 |archive-date=3 October 2008 |access-date=4 December 2013 |url-status=dead
}}
* 2004 winners and nominees: {{cite web
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304123324/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=2004
 |url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2004
 |title=Winners by Year 2004
 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)
 |archive-date=4 March 2008 |access-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead
}}
* 2006 winners and nominees: {{cite web
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212125336/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=2006
 |url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2006
 |title=Winners by Year 2006
 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)
 |archive-date=12 December 2007 |access-date=25 April 2015 |url-status=dead
}}
*2017 winners and nominees: {{cite web
 | url = https://www.ariaawards.com.au/News/2017/AND-THE-ARIA-AWARD-GOES-TO
 | title = And the ARIA Award Goes To...
 | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)
 | date = 28 November 2017
| access-date = 2 December 2019 }}
* 2019 winners and nominees: {{cite news
 | url = https://www.ariaawards.com.au/News/2019/2019-ARIA-Award-Winners-Announced
 | title = 2019 ARIA Award Winners Announced
 | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)
 | date = 27 November 2019
| access-date = 29 November 2019 }}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 1987|1987]]
| "[[The Dead Heart]]"
| [[ARIA Award for Best Group|Best Group]]
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="5"| [[ARIA Music Awards of 1988|1988]]
| "[[Beds Are Burning]]"
| [[ARIA Award for Single of the Year|Single of the Year]]
| {{won}}
|-
| "Beds Are Burning" ([[Peter Garrett]], [[Rob Hirst]], [[Jim Moginie]])
| [[ARIA Award for Song of the Year (Songwriter)|Song of the Year]]
| {{won}}
|-
| Midnight Oil
| Best Group
| {{nom}}
|-
| ''[[Diesel and Dust]]''
| [[ARIA Award for Best Indigenous Release|Best Indigenous Release]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| ''Diesel and Dust'' – Ken Duncan, Creative Type Wart, Gary Morris, Midnight Oil
| [[ARIA Award for Best Cover Art|Best Cover Art]]
| {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="4"| [[ARIA Music Awards of 1989|1989]]
|rowspan="2" | "[[Dreamworld (Midnight Oil song)|Dreamworld]]"
| Best Group
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Indigenous Release
| {{nom}}
|-
| "Dreamworld" – Guy Gray
| [[ARIA Award for Engineer of the Year|Engineer of the Year]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| "Dreamworld" – Andrew de Groot
| [[ARIA Award for Best Video|Best Video]]
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="8"| [[ARIA Music Awards of 1991|1991]]
| rowspan="2"|''[[Blue Sky Mining]]''
| [[ARIA Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]]
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Group
| {{won}}
|-
| ''Blue Sky Mining'' – Livingstone Clarke
| Best Cover Art
| {{won}}
|-
| "[[Blue Sky Mine]]"
| Single of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| "Blue Sky Mine" (Hirst, Moginie, Garrett, [[Martin Rotsey]], [[Bones Hillman]])
| Song of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| "Blue Sky Mine" – Claudia Castle
| Best Video
| {{won}}
|-
| Midnight Oil – David Nicholas
| Engineer of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
| Midnight Oil
| [[ARIA Achievement Awards#Outstanding Achievement|Outstanding Achievement]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 1993|1993]]
| ''[[Scream in Blue]]'' – Midnight Oil, Neo One Design
| Best Cover Art
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3"|[[ARIA Music Awards of 1994|1994]] || ''[[Earth and Sun and Moon]]''
| Best Group
| {{nom}}
|-
| ''Earth and Sun and Moon'' – Kevin Wilkins, Midnight Oil
| Best Cover Art
| {{nom}}
|-
| "Outbreak of Love" – Paul Elliott
| Best Video
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3"|[[ARIA Music Awards of 1998|1998]]
| ''[[20,000 Watt R.S.L.]]''
| Highest Selling Album
| {{nom}}
|-
|''20,000 Watt R.S.L.'' – Kevin Wilkins
| Best Cover Art
| {{nom}}
|-
| "White Skin / Black Heart" – [[Magoo (Australian producer)|Magoo]]
| Engineer of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
|[[ARIA Music Awards of 1999|1999]]
| ''[[Redneck Wonderland]]'' – Magoo
| Engineer of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
|[[ARIA Music Awards of 2004|2004]]
| ''[[Best of Both Worlds (Midnight Oil album)|Best of Both Worlds]]''
| Best Music DVD
| {{won}}
|-
|[[ARIA Music Awards of 2006|2006]]
| Midnight Oil
| [[ARIA Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]]
| {{yes2|Inducted}}
|-
|[[ARIA Music Awards of 2017|2017]]
| ''The Overflow Tank'' – Mitchell Storck
| Best Cover Art
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[ARIA Music Awards of 2019|2019]]
| ''[[Armistice Day (album)|Armistice Day]]''
| [[ARIA Award for Best Rock Album|Best Rock Album]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Midnight Oil
| [[ARIA Award for Best Australian Live Act|Best Australian Live Act]]
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="5"| [[2021 ARIA Music Awards|2021]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://themusicnetwork.com/2021-aria-awards-nominees/ |title=ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge |work=[[The Music Network]] |date=20 October 2021 |access-date=24 October 2021 |author=Kelly, Vivienne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020000045/https://themusicnetwork.com/2021-aria-awards-nominees/ |archive-date=20 October 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| rowspan="3"| ''[[The Makarrata Project]]''
| [[ARIA Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[ARIA Award for Best Rock Album|Best Rock Album]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[ARIA Award for Best Group|Best Group]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Robert Hambling]] for Midnight Oil – "First Nation"
| [[ARIA Award for Best Video|Best Video]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Makarrata Live
| [[ARIA Award for Best Australian Live Act|Best Australian Live Act]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[2022 ARIA Music Awards|2022]]<ref name="2022ARIAnoms">{{cite web|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/2022-aria-awards-nominees/|title=Rüfüs Du Sol Leads 2022 ARIA Awards Nominees (Full List)|website=The Music Network|date=12 October 2022|access-date=12 October 2022|author=Lars Brandle}}</ref>
| ''Resist''
| Best Group
| {{nom}}
|-
| ''Resist. The Final Tour 2022''
| Best Australian Live Act
| {{nom}}
|-
{{end}}

=== Countdown Australian Music Awards ===
''[[Countdown (Australian TV series)|Countdown]]'' was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC-TV]] from 1974 to 1987; it presented music awards from 1979 to 1987, initially in conjunction with magazine ''[[TV Week]]''. The TV Week / Countdown Awards were a combination of popular-voted and peer-voted awards.<ref name="CountdownMarch1987">{{Cite web | url = http://www.countdownmemories.com/magazines/pdfs/1987_03.pdf | title = Countdown to the Awards | work = Countdown Magazine |date=March 1987 | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) | format = [[Portable document format]] (PDF) | access-date = 16 December 2010 }}</ref><ref name="1987noms&wins">{{cite web|url=http://1970scountdown.atspace.com/1987.html|title=Final episode of Countdown|website=1970scountdown|access-date=23 October 2020}}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
|1981
| Themselves
| Most Consistent Live Act
| {{nom}}
|-
|1982
| ''10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1''
| Best Australian Album
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |1983
| rowspan="2" | "Power and the Passion"
| Best Australian Single
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Promotional Video
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="4" |1984
| ''Red Sails in the Sunset''
| Best Australian Album
| {{nom}}
|-
|"Read About It"
|Best Group Performance in a Video
| {{nom}}
|-
|"Short Memory" – Peter Garrett (Midnight Oil)
|Best Male Performance in a Video
| {{nom}}
|-
| Themselves
| Most Popular Australian Group
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1986
| "The Dead Heart"
| Best Australian Single
| {{nom}}
|-
{{end}}

===Environmental Music Prize===
The [[Environmental Music Prize]] is a quest to find a theme song to inspire action on climate and conservation. It commenced in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/environmental-music-prize-search/|title=Environmental Music Prize Searches for Green Theme Song|website=The Music Network|date=May 2022|access-date=22 June 2022}}</ref>
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2023
| "Rising Seas"
| Environmental Music Prize
| {{nom}}
| <ref name="EMP 2023 noms">{{cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/flume-tash-sultana-and-moju-among-finalists-for-the-2023-environmental-music-prize/|title= Environmental Music Prize 2023 Finalists|website=[[Music Feeds]]|date=26 April 2023|access-date=4 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/xavier-rudd-environmental-music-prize/ |title= Xavier Rudd Wins 2023's Environmental Music Prize|website=[[Music Feeds]]|date=13 June 2023|access-date=13 June 2023}}</ref>
|-
{{end}}

===Helpmann Awards===
The [[Helpmann Awards]] is an awards show, celebrating live entertainment and performing arts in Australia, presented by industry group ''Live Performance Australia'' since 2001.<ref name=lpa>{{cite web | title=Events & Programs| website=Live Performance Australia | url=https://liveperformance.com.au/events-programs/ | access-date=4 October 2022}}</ref> Note: 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].
 
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| [[5th Helpmann Awards|2005]]
| Midnight Oil - ''WaveAid - the Tsunami Relief Concert ''
| [[Helpmann Award for Best Performance in an Australian Contemporary Concert|Best Performance in an Australian Contemporary Concert]]
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.helpmannawards.com.au/2005/past-nominees-and-winners/ | title= 2005 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners|publisher=Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA)|website=Helpmann Awards|access-date=8 October 2022}}</ref>
|-
| [[18th Helpmann Awards|2018]]
| Midnight Oil - ''The Great Circle World Tour 2017''
| Best Australian Contemporary Concert
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://themusicnetwork.com/laneway-cmc-rocks-sheeran-gang-of-youths-up-for-helpmann-nominations/ | title= Laneway, CMC Rocks, Sheeran, Gang of Youths, up for Helpmann nominations|website=The Music Network|date=June 2018|access-date=8 October 2022}}</ref>
|-
{{end}}

===J Awards===
The [[J Awards]] are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]'s youth-focused radio station [[Triple J]]. They commenced in 2005.
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| [[2022 J Awards|2022]]
| Midnight Oil
| Double J Artist of the Year
| {{won}}
| <ref name="2022nomsJ">{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/heres-all-the-j-awards-2022-nominees/101597078|title=Here's all the J Awards 2022 nominees!|website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=1 November 2022|access-date=3 November 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 November 2022 |title=Gang Of Youths lead our 2022 J Award winners! |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/2022-j-awards-winners-full-list-gang-of-youths/101661304 |access-date=17 November 2022 |website=triple j |language=en-AU}}</ref>
{{end}}

===Mo Awards===
The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the [[Mo Awards]]), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Midnight Oil won two awards in that time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moawards.com.au/awardwinners|title=MO Award Winners|website=Mo Awards|access-date=16 March 2022}}</ref>
{{awards table}} (wins only)
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1990
| Midnight Oil
| Rock Group of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
| Midnight Oil
| Rock Performer of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
{{end}}

{{Portal|Music|Australia}}
{{Clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{sister project links|d=Q48284|c=Category:Midnight Oil|s=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|wikt=no|species=no|n=no}}
* {{Official website}}
* [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4911|pure_url=yes}} Midnight Oil] at [[AllMusic]]
* {{discogs artist|Midnight Oil}}
* [http://www.deadheart.org.uk/ The Deadheart] – fan website
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110721011638/http://www.memoree.fr/memory/bs-Nicolas_KINOT/souvenir/B0-Midnight_oil Midnight Oil's memories]}}

{{Midnight Oil|state=expanded}}
{{ARIA Award for Best Group}}
{{ARIA Award for Album of the Year}}
{{ARIA Award for Single of the Year}}
{{Sydney Peace Prize laureates}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Midnight Oil| ]]
[[Category:1976 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:2016 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:APRA Award winners]]
[[Category:ARIA Award winners]]
[[Category:ARIA Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Australian alternative rock groups]]
[[Category:Australian post-punk groups]]
[[Category:Australian hard rock musical groups]]
[[Category:Australian pub rock musical groups]]
[[Category:Australian new wave musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2002]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1976]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Sydney]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2016]]
[[Category:Political music groups]]