Midnight Oil » Tracks » Beds Are Burning

Midnight Oil – Beds Are Burning (4:15)

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About This Track

“Beds Are Burning” is a 1987 hit single by Australian rock band Midnight Oil, the first track from their album Diesel and Dust. This song was the second from the album to be released as a single.

According to the Beds Are Burning Songfacts, Yuendemu in the line, “From Kintore East to Yuendemu,” refers an aboriginal community in Central Australia, 250 Kilometers northwest of Alice Springs

It reached #1 in the South African charts, #3 in the Netherlands Top 40, #5 in the France Top 50, #6 in the United Kingdom charts, #11 in Ireland, #17 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and in Denmark.

It is one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

It is named #95 on VH1’s 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s.

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”.

“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 1960s to the Papunya settlement.
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  • charlieandval

    takes me back STILL GREAT

    last week

  • viathin12

    the diesel to dust cd/album had a lot of good songs on it along with this one

    7 days ago

  • Distron

    Support reparations for the aboriginal people [1]

    14 days ago

  • bdodkin

    exceptional stand out song. love it

    15 days ago

  • koy22

    ....to say fair`s fair....to pay our share...

    17 days ago

  • CAVermeer

    They had more than 1 hit in Canada, yes The Dead Heart is a good suggestion to try.

    last month

  • EllyDawson

    Support reparations for the aboriginal people.

    last month

  • Tom_Pullings

    @RogerLD18079. If you like this one check out their song The Dead Heart. They have several great tracks!

    last month

  • CidaDuarteF

    Clássica!!!!!!!

    last month

  • RogerLD18079

    1 true hit wonder ,, love it :)

    last month

  • pmarcelorj

    Fantastic

    March 2012

  • Liloucat

    great song :)))))))))))

    March 2012

  • cfdj1971

    It belongs to them, let's give it back...

    March 2012

  • pjolliffe

    Having trouble sleeping myself..

    March 2012

  • zs6djm

    WOW great first time I hear this version.

    February 2012

  • cebo77

    love it -- but this Last FM version has at least one edit...plz give us the real tracks!

    February 2012

  • Toyah-Fan81

    "the time has come..."

    February 2012

  • valplayer

    tres bon groupe australien

    February 2012

  • OldAcquaintance

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

    February 2012

  • Dr-Doctor

    My Gosh!! I have to get into this band

    January 2012
See all 409 shouts

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