Beds Are Burning

Midnight Oil

About Beds Are Burning

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


Year:
2016
4:14
159 

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

Out where the river broke
The bloodwood and the desert oak
Holden wrecks and boiling diesels
Steam in forty five degrees

The time has come
To say fair's fair
To pay the rent
To pay our share
The time has come
A fact's a fact
It belongs to them
Let's give it back

How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning
How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning

The time has come
To say fair's fair
To pay the rent, now
To pay our share

Four wheels scare the cockatoos
From Kintore East to Yuendemu
The western desert lives and breathes
In forty five degrees

The time has come
To say fair's fair
To pay the rent
To pay our share
The time has come
A fact's a fact
It belongs to them
Let's give it back

How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning
How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning

The time has come
To say fair's fair
To pay the rent, now
To pay our share
The time has come
A fact's a fact
It belongs to them
We're gonna give it back

How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Midnight Oil

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

2 fans

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

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Genre
"Beds Are Burning" by Midnight Oil is an iconic rock song. It is widely classified under the genre of alternative rock and new wave.
Background
The band, Midnight Oil hails from Australia and the song is one of their most renowned tracks off their album "Diesel and Dust", released in 1987.
Lyrics
"Beds Are Burning" is a politically charged song with powerful lyrics addressing the forced removal of Aborigines from their lands by European settlers in Australia.
Chart Success
The song was a huge success worldwide. It reached the top of the charts in South Africa, Canada, and New Zealand, and was a top ten hit in many other countries including the UK, The Netherlands, and Sweden. In the United States, it reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Awards
"Beds Are Burning" earned the band a Grammy Nomination for Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocal in 1989.
Critic Assessment
The song is widely considered one of the greatest songs made in the 1980s, and has been included in multiple 'best of' lists by renowned publications like Rolling Stone Magazine.
Cover Versions
Several artists have covered "Beds Are Burning" over the years, including Pearl Jam, Imagine Dragons, and Novaspace, testifying to its lasting influence.
Political Involvement
In 2009, more than 60 international music stars joined together to re-record the song as part of a climatic campaign ahead of the United Nations talks in Copenhagen.
Cultural Influence
Despite being released over three decades ago, "Beds Are Burning" continues to be a leading anthem on environmental issues and Indigenous rights.
Band Reputation
"Beds Are Burning" is regarded as the signature song of Midnight Oil and helped to cement their identity as one of the world's most politically outspoken rock bands.

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    Beds Are Burning

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    721.2K     30,984

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1988

    Billboard #17


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