Burning the Midnight Oil

Our latest Stuck in the 80s podcast is online, and once again I'm forced into a corner to explain the songs we picked for the show.

A few months ago, we were under attack by the "a-hafia" for suggesting that "Take One Me" was the band's only hit. (God forbid we forgot "Cry Wolf." Everyone hum along at home.)

Today's outrage: Australia's Midnight Oil and its signature tune "Beds are Burning." (Which to my disappointment is about land rights of indigenous Australians -- not the sexual prowess of Aussie musicians of the 80s.)

Here's a few examples of the scorn heaped upon me:

THE SERIOUS: "I feel I would remiss in my duties if I did not point out that Midnight Oil was hardly a one-hit wonder. 'Blue Sky Mine', 'Forgotten Years', 'King of the Mountain', 'Drums of Heaven', 'Truganini', and 'Outbreak of Love' all broke the Top Ten, with two of them hitting No. 1."

THE ANGRY: "What do you have against Australia? Midnight Oil is no more a one-hit wonder than, oh I don't know, let's say a-ha. And the Church? Check out 'Metropolis,' 'Almost With You,' 'Just For You,' 'Terra Nova Cain.' "

THE SARCASTIC: "Steve and the list makers have lost their minds. I know you all know I am biased towards Australia, but having Midnight Oil and The Church as one hit wonders is like saying that Crocodile Dundee is a true representation of Australians. Can't wait for the Beatles one hit wonder show."

AND THE HILARIOUS: "When the boys do an outside broadcast in Melbourne, I want to see them walk down the streets of this great city with a placard saying 'Midnight Oil is a one hit wonder.' And since they haven't made it here yet, the boys can't hide behind their Funyun shield."

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Comments

I say Australia itself is a one-hit wonder. All they ever did was invent the koala bear.

[Spears]

Oh, great. That will go over well with our Aussie fans.

I'm just trying to take the heat off of you and Sean. That's why I boldly signed my name...

[Neil]

I actually had an argument with a friend a few years back that Midnight Oil deserves a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. My friend of course completely disagrees with me, but I am a big Midnight Oil fan and so is my brother who has attended several of the concerts and says they are an amazing live band. I also have to say the song "Dead Heart" is an amazing song.

[Douglas Arthur]

I think it is really a matter of perspective. here in America where the show is produced, they really only hit with Beds Are Burning. Elsewhere, yes, not a one-hit wonder, but, here, yes. Remember, Slim Whitman, Boxcar Willie and Zamfir all sold "millions" in Europe! Take the case of Tragically Hip from Canada. They are like the Stones in their native land, selling out arenas, but down here in the States, if it is not a border town, they play clubs.
This is not to say that Midnight Oil, et al do not have other great songs, they do, but when comparing them to the collective consciousness of the American music buying public, they are remembered for one song and one song only. This is not a swipe, but reality. There are plenty of great bands and songs out there that never made a blip on the pop culture radar. And it is not the end of the world.

[Eric62]

I had no idea we were so concerned with the tender sensibilities of our Aussie friends.
Aren't they the same people who foisted Paul Hogan AND Yahoo Serious on us?
I recall liking "Bed'' back in the day, but its not on my play list now, nor are any other songs based on land-rights disputes.
You go, Spears. Don't let em get you down.
And dont worry about the bald guy. I see him on The Military Channel all the time.

[Walter Cox]

Steve, such are the perils of our typical Ameri-centric mindsets.

That being said, Australia, remember this: in spite of your good music and hot swimsuit models, your ancestors were convicts, so you're all degenerates on a molecular level.

You're welcome, Steve.

[denvermatt]

what is the big deal again. I like Midnight Oil a lot but let's be honest in the 80's, they were a one hit wonder.

They did score some hits in 1990.

The bigger question is why was "It's takes two" on the show... wooo, yeah

[Walter Cox]

My ancestors are from Georgia, so my DNA is in the same boat. :)

[Bassnote]

I agree with denvermatt, in the 1980s, Midnight Oil only had one hit in the US. 'Blue Sky Mining' came out in 1990, and spawned two hits; 'Blue Sky Mine', and 'Forgotten Years'. Same goes for the Church, 'Under The Milky Way' was their only true hit in the 80s. 'Golden Afternoon Fix' came out in 1990 and spawned 'Metropolis'. I own a couple albums by each band, and personally do not consider them 'one hit wonders', but technically, for the 80s, they are; If you're going by the United States only.

[Ian from Down Under]

First things first, to our anon. first poster - There is NO such animal as the Koala Bear. Just Koala will do. Steve, since we have so many years left in the one hit wonder train, why don't you title the next show "One hit wonders of 1989 - (based on American charts)" that would put an end to all arguments.
For the record, I am completely opposed to all views metered out by Midnight Oil. I just like their music. Oh, plus they payed me a bucket load of money to work on their staging when I lived in the Top End in the eighties. Finally, "one hit wonder" means over the performers career, not just in a certain decade. If it was based on the decade, why wasn't Louis Armstrong's - What A Wonderful World" played? That's right, it only made it to number one in Australia, that counts it out immediately.
Apart from that, great show Steve and Sean. There was a dearth of anything remotely close to being good music.

[sjdrj]

Ah, 1988. A freshman in high school, dating a senior. Those were the days. Da Butt is on my iPod... I was given a "stern talking to" by the chaperone at the after the game dance for my dancing moves. I love that song. That song goes with "It Takes Two" MC Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock! I would have to say this was my favorite and I look forward to 1989.

Hey have y'all ever done TV Theme Songs of the 80's? Unlike now, they told a story. Silver Spoons, Growing Pains, Family Ties, etc. I'd think I'd like to hear a Podcast on that!

[Walter Cox]

I was listening to my iPod this morning when some Oil came on, and I'm listening to the podcast now, and I'm struck again by how "Beds are Burning" isn't close to being the best song on "Diesel and Dust". "Sometimes" and "Dreamworld" are much better.

[Paul]

Just for the record, I'm an American. And the list of hits I listed (I'm "The Serious" one) were on the US Modern Rock charts. I daresay anyone listening to Modern Rock radio in the late 80s and early 90s would not think of Midnight Oil as a one hit wonder.

At least we can agree on Asia, Spears.

[Paul]

P.S:
I don't know why I didn't think of this before:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Oil#Singles

You'll notice that not only did Midnight Oil chart multiple times on US Modern Rock radio, but US Mainstream Rock as well. In fact, "Blue Sky Mine" hit #1, something "Beds" never did.

[Bassnote]

Just for the record, my post was complete sarcasm.

[Emily]

I am an Aussie and not a big 'Oils' fan. They are known here for being big environmentalists. Peter Garrett, the lead singer is now the federal minister for Environment. The media love targeting him now because he moved over from the Green party to Labour, who are now in power. Basically he is portrayed as a Judas, a sell-out!