Beds Are Burning

Midnight Oil is an Australian rock band. In 1987, they released the single "Beds Are Burning". I chanced upon this song back then and it has never left my head since. This powerful song has political overtones which talks about oppression. Below is an extract taken from wikipedia about the origins of the song :

"Beds Are Burning" is a political song about giving native Australian lands back to the Pintupi, who were among the very last people to come in from the desert. These 'last contact' people began moving from the Gibson Desert to settlements and missions in the 1930s. More were forcibly moved during the 1950s and 1960's to the Papunya settlement. In 1981 they left to return to their own country and established the Kintore community which is nestled in the picturesque Kintore Ranges, surrounded by Mulga and Spinifex country. It is now a thriving little community with a population of about 400.

Midnight Oil performed the song in front of a world audience of billions (including then Prime Minister John Howard) at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The whole band were dressed in black, with the words "sorry" printed conspicuously on their clothes. This was a reference to the Prime Minister's refusal to apologize, on behalf of the government of Australia, to the Aboriginal Australians for the way they have been treated over the previous 200 years, particularly in relation to native title and the government-sanctioned removal of Aboriginal children of the Stolen Generations from their families.

On a personal level, i always relate this song to certain periods of my life where obstacles and difficulties need to be overcome. Listening to this tune always encourages me to push and soldier on no matter what.

This music blog turns ONE YEAR OLD today. Many thanks to everyone who reads this blog and enjoys the music within.

'How can we dance when our earth is turning,
How do we sleep while our beds are burning' - Beds Are Burning