I love Midnight Oil. They’ve been one of my favorite bands for almost 40 years. I’m so glad I got to see them live, even if it was their farewell tour of the United States. And getting to see the show proved to be quite the adventure.

Like so many Americans, it was the song “Beds Are Burning” from the Oils’ 1987 album Diesel and Dust that got my attention first. But in my typical OCD fashion, I had to absorb just about every note the band played before and after once I realized how much I loved the band.

Since it’s such an obvious choice, I won’t feature that video here. I will, however, offer up “The Dead Heart,” which is my favorite track from Diesel and Dust. My all-time favorite Oils tune is “Read About It.” The studio version is cool, but the band absolutely rips the head off the tune when they play it live. So, here is one of the better versions I could find.

It would be so easy to post a bazillion videos, but I decided to focus on a tune I never heard on the radio in the title track from Redneck Wonderland. It was so cool to hear Midnight Oil add (then) modern electronica grooves to their balls-to-the-wall traditional sound.

Chit-chat complete. Strap yourself in and enjoy!

https://youtu.be/AONxdnTrZSU?si=N62ax2dkBQuTTgZ_

https://youtu.be/16bFBzx7I_0?si=KGjoVp3OtjHr2Smg

https://youtu.be/LXBHRzlOGAg?si=bkwy4obnQIq27-J9

#cirdecsongs

If you would like to have your music reviewed anytime or if you would like to have your band photographed while in the Chicago area, contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.com Please put either “REVIEW” or “PHOTOS” in the subject line.