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Midnight Oil — Dreamworld
Album: Diesel and Dust
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1979









Released: 1987
Length: 3:30
Plays (last 30 days): 1
The Breakfast Creek Hotel is up for sale
The last square mile of terra firma gavelled in the mail
So farewell to the Norfolk Island pines
No amount of make believe can help this heart of mine

[Chorus]
End - your dreamworld is just about to end
Fall - your dreamworld is just about to fall
Your dreamworld will fall

So shut that buckle and turn that key again
Take me to a place they say the dreaming never ends
Open wide drive that mistery road
Walk through Eden's garden and then wander as you go

Chorus

Sign says honeymoon to rent
Cloudland into dreamland turns
The sun comes up and we all learn
Those wheels must turn
Comments (170)add comment
 Fishman wrote:
Went to their last farewell tour concert recently at the Hordern Pavillion in Sydney with my 16 year old daughter. They played for over 3 hours and went through their whole catalogue. Pete has still got the moves at 69.  It was beautiful symmetry as they were the first concert I ever went to at the same venue when I was the same age as my daughter.  One of the best live acts you could ever hope to see. The emoji is the closest approximation of Pete's dancing I could find



You lucky duck. I wish I could have been there too!  GREAT TUNE!!  Thanx RP!  
Dear RP; please add Redneck Wonderland to your que.  Its like Neil Young's Mirror Ball; so different so  unrecognizable yet so awesome .
Love the Oils
Went to their last farewell tour concert recently at the Hordern Pavillion in Sydney with my 16 year old daughter. They played for over 3 hours and went through their whole catalogue. Pete has still got the moves at 69.  It was beautiful symmetry as they were the first concert I ever went to at the same venue when I was the same age as my daughter.  One of the best live acts you could ever hope to see. The emoji is the closest approximation of Pete's dancing I could find
 dwsneed wrote:

A friend got tickets to see them for their 2017 reunion tour, did i want to go? Sure, I remember them, figured they must need money and would uninspired go through their greatest hits type thing... WRONG. They came out and opened with Redneck Wonderland and knocked my socks off for the next several hours, the energy, the guitars, boy did I learn a lot about this band that night!  Count me as a fan.



Saw them in Paris in 2019 and three times this summer (Utrecht, Berlin and Paris). Best summer of my life and the Oils are, even when reaching 70, the greatest live gig. Two hours of non-stop passion and energy.
May the sound of 12-string Rickenbackers never die!
 rockasaurus wrote:

Video of Midnight Oil at the Wave Aid concert in Sydney after the tsunami. Probably the last concert they'll ever do...Sigh. https://www.bigpondmusic.com.au/features/exclusive/waveaid.asp



That was posted 17 years ago... and here they are, still touring!! :-D
Love the energy of this one!
 poetdancer wrote:

They are on their last tour ever. Am going to see them in Oakland (California) in June. If you're a fan (and even if you're not), this is a show not to be missed. 



Saw them in Utrecht, Berlin and Paris this summer. Fantastic gigs! 
 dwsneed wrote:

A friend got tickets to see them for their 2017 reunion tour, did i want to go? Sure, I remember them, figured they must need money and would uninspired go through their greatest hits type thing... WRONG. They came out and opened with Redneck Wonderland and knocked my socks off for the next several hours, the energy, the guitars, boy did I learn a lot about this band that night!  Count me as a fan.



Saw them in Paris in 2019 and then again this summer in Utrecht, Berlin and Paris. Best live band, ever! Keeping in mind they're reaching 70 and still rocking like it's the 1970's. 
They are on their last tour ever. Am going to see them in Oakland (California) in June. If you're a fan (and even if you're not), this is a show not to be missed. 
I saw these guys on the Blue Sky Mining tour along with Hunters and Collectors.  I've seen lots of concerts and this one still goes down as the best one I've ever been to.  The sound was phenomenal and sounded better than a CD!  They had a full horn section that just made everything sound better.  I'll never forget the tremendous sound and energy that went on for hours!!  Thanks for the great memories!
Ahh. Sunday session at the Brekky Creek.
Those were the days... 
Those harmony vocals are quite stellar. This is a gem from the 80's.
Excellent!
Thanks Bill...it's great you see the value in Midnight Oil music other than Beds r Burning or Deadheart...they have SO much better music than those 2 over-played tunes
 jkforde wrote:

one of the most under-rated bands, their early albums are gut-kicking great - Short Memory is both kick ass and thought-provoking, just basically sums up the Oils

more please B&R!!



Amazing album. I wore it out.
"The sun comes up and we all learn, those wheels must turn"

Oh yes they must!
 albacheeser wrote:
Midnight Oil is an important example of the transition from the 80's to the 90's.

I've always like them, but to me they are like Dr. Pepper,  the first sip is delicious but with each swallow it gets less palatable.  I like to mix them in with other artists in mixes but I've had a hard time digesting a full album.

This tune is 6.9
 
Too bad for you, Dr. Pepper will always be delicious...and also The Oils.
My man Bones Hillman aka Wayne Stevens on bass. I did a very short stint as his roadie in DC. We were carrying his 95 pound Ampeg SVT amp out of a gig and I tripped on something and almost dropped it. Mercifully, dodged a bullet ;-} 
This album changed my life. True story.
Unmistakable sound - timeless 
one of the most under-rated bands, their early albums are gut-kicking great - Short Memory is both kick ass and thought-provoking, just basically sums up the Oils

more please B&R!!
A friend got tickets to see them for their 2017 reunion tour, did I want to go? Sure, I remember them, I figured they must need money and it would be an uninspired, go through their greatest hits type thing... WRONG. They came out and opened with Redneck Wonderland and knocked my socks off for the next several hours, the energy, the guitars, the tall, thin, pale, robotic dance, boy did I learn a lot about this band that night!  Count me as a fan.
During the Covid, perhaps a bit too close to home.
 
 xkolibuul wrote:
Brilliant song.  I can't relate to the haters below.  This album blasted the doors off vapid 80s drum machine pop and made music real again.
 
Yes indeed!!
this band has a lot of good songs that they never played on the radio. but, of course RP does!
Good to hear some real rocking here at RP.  Next time Redneck Wonderland. 
This the new REM single?
Blue Sky Mine was my first CD format album purchase. It took me a awhile to discover their earlier stuff, but I have always enjoyed Midnight Oil. Saw them at the Barrymore in Madison, WI a while back - lots of energy as a live show.

I can remember the first tape I owned (License to Ill  - we came late to the format) and I believe my first LP was Sesame Street Story Time (Ike and the Ilk!) Will future generations reflect on their first Spotify download?
The energy of their live shows is amazing{#Dancingbanana_2}.   I love this band.  I highly recommend exploring their music if you are not familiar.  
Just love the rock and roll energy of this song.
Agree that the older stuff is better, while this album, albeit a little commercial, is very, very good. I saw them three times in the nineties, and they can put on a show like few others, thanks to Peter Garret as their front man. BTW, their self-titled debut is my favorite. It's raw, with some hardcore surf infused in it. Worth picking up for certain.
Do you have Hercules?
They're back on tour this year.
 suesblues wrote:
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (10 - 1) is their best album by far, to anyone who hasn't heard much of this band before.  'US Forces' is a classic.  Also 'Bird Noises' - fantastic album - do yourself a favour and chase down this band - content + good Aussie rock.  Oh, BTW, look up these guys performing on YouTube - Peter Garret's dancing style leaves David Byrne for the dust....
 
And Red Sails in the Sunset is worth a listen if only for Jimmy Sharman's Boxers (no, not a song about loose fitting underwear).  ; )


Ryan Adams — Cold Roses
The Weepies — Gotta Have You
Alison Krauss & Union Station — The Lucky One
Midnight Oil — Dreamworld

Ugh! That's it... I'm outta here for now.

Thank God I have my own collection of self-approved RP music to play while I work this afternoon.


 suesblues wrote:
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (10 - 1) is their best album by far, to anyone who hasn't heard much of this band before.  'US Forces' is a classic.  Also 'Bird Noises' - fantastic album - do yourself a favour and chase down this band - content + good Aussie rock.  Oh, BTW, look up these guys performing on YouTube - Peter Garret's dancing style leaves David Byrne for the dust....

 
Strong fight between Place Without a Postcard and 10....1.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (10 - 1) is their best album by far, to anyone who hasn't heard much of this band before.  'US Forces' is a classic.  Also 'Bird Noises' - fantastic album - do yourself a favour and chase down this band - content + good Aussie rock.  Oh, BTW, look up these guys performing on YouTube - Peter Garret's dancing style leaves David Byrne for the dust....

We be disco dancing...  love this song...
 dig wrote:
It's great when the B sides are better than the A sides.

 
B side of what album?
Great rock, thoughtful lyrics. I can understand that some may not like Peter's Garret's distinctive voice, but their harmonies are terrific. Saw them absolutely rock Jones Beach circa '86. Huge energy performers.
 Euskadita wrote:
I can say I'm a tough fan of this band. I know this band is hard to bite, maybe that's why less than 15 songs from them appear on RP, It's better not to try to hear their music unless you're paying attention. Otherwise it can be pretty annoying.
 

HUH??
It's great when the B sides are better than the A sides.
I can say I'm a tough fan of this band. I know this band is hard to bite, maybe that's why less than 15 songs from them appear on RP, It's better not to try to hear their music unless you're paying attention. Otherwise it can be pretty annoying.
Diesel and dust is one of my favorite albums from the 80's. This song is brilliant indeed.
Brilliant song.  I can't relate to the haters below.  This album blasted the doors off vapid 80s drum machine pop and made music real again.
 Segue wrote:
no no no no No no no No no

Insert perhaps more Squeeze or Crowded House — this just sucks.
 
It doesn't 'just suck'.

It sucks like a collapsar.

With sprinkles.
Midnight Oil is an important example of the transition from the 80's to the 90's.

I've always like them, but to me they are like Dr. Pepper,  the first sip is delicious but with each swallow it gets less palatable.  I like to mix them in with other artists in mixes but I've had a hard time digesting a full album.

This tune is 6.9
 dBdwg wrote:
I like Minight Oil, alot, but when he sings I hear  bllaaaahhhhh  blaaahhhhhh blahhhhhhhh........
 
That must be the Strine accent ;). This is one ripper song - 8 from the Nottingham jury.

AMAZING song!!!
 Segue wrote:
no no no no No no no No no

Insert perhaps more Squeeze or Crowded House — this just sucks.
 

This does NOT suck.

"Your dream world is just about to fall."

Your dreamworld will fall...!!

One of the great dance songs...
"Deadheart" please.
no no no no No no no No no

Insert perhaps more Squeeze or Crowded House — this just sucks.
{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}{#Dancingbanana}
Live MNO after Alison Krauss Live....see, this is what I'm talking about....you can TELL this is live (not just because of the diff. arrangement either).....on Alison Krauss' you couldn't tell it was live without checking the "Now Playing" list or from the applause at the end....so rare
This has grown on me...though his voice still grates
I like Minight Oil, alot, but when he sings I hear  bllaaaahhhhh  blaaahhhhhh blahhhhhhhh........
I'd love for RP to play Bullroarer from this CD. Cool Tune.
This album is 22 years old? Unbelievable.
Would love to hear "Jimmy Sharman's Boxers" from Red Sails in the Sunset on RP. (It's a song about pugilists, not underwear!)

 Jungle_Jim wrote:
Of all the Aussie bands who'd have ever thought that Midnight Oil would end up one of the most well known internationally. Humorless leftie lyrics and plodding, leaden rock is not an appealing combination - it's trying to be important and it's just boring. 
 
I cannot imagine associating "plodding" and "leaden" with Midnight Oil. Especially their live shows.  Spasmodic, yes.  Leaden, nope.

Of all the Aussie bands who'd have ever thought that Midnight Oil would end up one of the most well known internationally. Humorless leftie lyrics and plodding, leaden rock is not an appealing combination - it's trying to be important and it's just boring. Peter Garrett is now a Federal Minister in Australia, already endorsing policies totally at odds with his stance in Midnight Oil. 
 rickhoran wrote:
don't kid yourself dude, the fat cats are barely gonna feel this. we, the commoners, are gonna get killed!
 
The Fat Cats are hurting terribly.  After all, the top hedge fund manager made ONLY about $10,000,000,000 last year.  I don't know how he's going to afford that new gold back scratchier.

Nabla wrote:
Diesel and Dust is one of their best!

Then Dear God, I'd hate to hear the rest...




Ugh!
awesome!!! one of the first cassettes I stole from my older brother... must'v been ten or something.
rockalicious.

 bugleboy624 wrote:

Is that Peter Garrett? Damn, he's not looking so good these days. I have always loved their music. But I didn't really like this album. I much preferred Blue Sky Mine or Red Sails In the Sunset to this one.
 
Dude, that's ONLY one of the most powerful pols in your friggin' country.  

Well, at least for two more weeks—does that ever feel good to write.  But wake up and get with it mate, these people affect your life way more than you know.  If more of us had paid attention and raised our voices in the first place, we wouldn't be in this wretched mess.
 bugleboy624 wrote:

Is that Peter Garrett? Damn, he's not looking so good these days. I have always loved their music. But I didn't really like this album. I much preferred Blue Sky Mine or Red Sails In the Sunset to this one.

 
No way, dude — that's Henry Paulson, Mr. Treshury Secretary. Not to say that Peter Garrett is looking much better. . .but at least he looks a bit more rock star.



So, being behind the times a bit, I asked my Aussie friend if it was true that Peter Garrett was in politics now.  Her reply,  "Yes he is in politics now, and true to form, he has made a complete ass of himself on more than one occaision.  But if you can have Arnie, we can hav Midnight Oil."

priceless.
 a_genuine_find wrote:
How appropriate this song is in light of failed Bailout
This is dedicated to all you fat cats out there
Your Dreamworld is just about to end.


 
don't kid yourself dude, the fat cats are barely gonna feel this. we, the commoners, are gonna get killed!


 a_genuine_find wrote:
How appropriate this song is in light of failed Bailout
This is dedicated to all you fat cats out there
Your Dreamworld is just about to end.


 
Is that Peter Garrett? Damn, he's not looking so good these days. I have always loved their music. But I didn't really like this album. I much preferred Blue Sky Mine or Red Sails In the Sunset to this one.

How appropriate this song is in light of failed Bailout
This is dedicated to all you fat cats out there
Your Dreamworld is just about to end.


just bought this album... prompted by radio paradise. Im loving it! xoxo
not my fave song on album however

alux wrote:
Tour de force album, both for the music and the message.
++
Tour de force album, both for the music and the message. Loved 'em 20 years ago and love 'em now.
Saw these guys on the tour of the Cd after this one. Rumor about the concert was they were going to come out and play entirely acoustic and mellow the whole evening. Then these Midnight Oil tricksters came out and did the opposite-- it was all electric and very loud, heavy metallic. And great, an awesome concert.
EssexTex wrote:
So bad they make my teeth ache
DITTO, DITTO & DITTO AGAIN!!
Diesel and Dust is one of their best!
I really missed out on these guys at the time. I did that kneejerk reaction against the popular music of the time. Although these guys _were_ played a lot with Huey Lewis and the News. For whom I still have a healthy loathing.
Love these guys!
YEAH! Been to The Magical Land of OZ 3 times, great band and awesome people in Australia....I have to go back someday!
The video of this song is playing on VH1 Classic's 120 Minutes right now. It's a treat for the eyes!
Midnight Oil twice today?! Thanks RP.
nigelr wrote:
Federal Shadow Minister for the Environment, I believe.
The full titles of his new jobs....Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Heritage. Shadow Minister for the Arts. By the end of 2007, he should have the "Shadow" bits dropped... https://www.petergarrett.com.au/
superflyLD wrote:
I recently read during the Live Earth coverage that the singer of Midnight Oil is actually a mayor or some other level of involvement in Austrailian politics. Nice to hear! Love this song. I just moved into a new condo and haven't set up my entertainment center yet.. nice to have Radio Paradise to listen to while unpacking and settling in! Definitly going to hook my computer up through my surround sound system in my new place- thanks RP!
Federal Shadow Minister for the Environment, I believe.
robco1 wrote:
OK, I'll bite: what's "billy tea?"
when we (me and my Dad) went bush, he always brewed up the strongest black tea you've ever seen. Nothing special - it was a pretty common thing .. light a fire, get water in a billy (aluminum pot) from down the river, chuck in two generous handfuls of black tea and let it stew. Bloody revolting.
Mee too..I'll dust it off and roll itmongoose01ca wrote:
Oh, thank you. My copy of this stellar album is on vinyl and thus moldering away in a closet somewhere. Note to self: Change that.
NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
jeez, mate, you're making me homesick... did you wash it down with billy-tea?
OK, I'll bite: what's "billy tea?"
Oh, thank you. My copy of this stellar album is on vinyl and thus moldering away in a closet somewhere. Note to self: Change that.
electronicshaman wrote:
nice segue Bill coincided perfectly with our office lunch of kangaroo, emu and bush tucker
jeez, mate, you're making me homesick... did you wash it down with billy-tea?
I recently read during the Live Earth coverage that the singer of Midnight Oil is actually a mayor or some other level of involvement in Austrailian politics. Nice to hear! Love this song. I just moved into a new condo and haven't set up my entertainment center yet.. nice to have Radio Paradise to listen to while unpacking and settling in! Definitly going to hook my computer up through my surround sound system in my new place- thanks RP!
nice segue Bill coincided perfectly with our office lunch of kangaroo, emu and bush tucker
savoyard wrote:
Is this Aussie day? Please don't play ACDC next.
Why Not?
I've been on a Down Under binge lately: Crowded House, Split Enz, Waifs, and of course......the Oils! Wooooot! It rocks!
I love watching him dance in the video to this tune. lol
Like this much better than "Beds are Burning"
Fallllllllllll! Ominous and uplifting.
Thanks !!!!!!
I figure this is Australia's equivalent to the Tragically Hip. Weird vocalist, talented songwriting, probably also subsidized by the feds?
Bill, thanks for cleaning out the gunk left by MAW.
Fun stuff!
They should be locked out of the recording studio.
nuggler wrote:
A little trip down under. What's the occasion? Kiwis win the ashes...again...?
bloody oath mate! credit where credit is due.
A little trip down under. What's the occasion? Kiwis win the ashes...again...?
I have not heard this in maybe a decade. Damn, these guys were good. I love how the opening lyric sets the tone.
That's right G.W., your dreamworld is just about to end. Bring on the Congressional hearings.
Yay Oils! Double yay for something other than "Beds are Burning"! Either I'm in an absurdly positive mood this morning or Bill is doing even better than usual this morning.
Yes! Haven't heard this in years.
The most listenable political rock, get off your ass and do something about it album ever released? Does it for me! Lesson for you Bush haters (count me in), anyone who want's to voice their displeasure about our government landscape (I.E. Incubus and that "A Crow Left of the Murder" crap) - make the music approcahable, then the people start listening to the lyrics, then the little light clicks on! If you can't do that -- save your lyrics for the bathroom stall -- make sure you flush when you're done...
Men At Work > Midnight Oil. Do I smell Aussie Hour approaching? ;)
rockasaurus wrote:
Video of Midnight Oil at the Wave Aid concert in Sydney after the tsunami. Probably the last concert they'll ever do...Sigh. https://www.bigpondmusic.com.au/features/exclusive/waveaid.asp
Thanks for that link, I watched their performance and it was pretty great.
Farquwaar wrote:
Crowded House??
Nitpicker's note: Crowded House and the Finn brothers are NZ, not Aussie.
Is this Aussie day? Please don't play ACDC next.
Farquwaar wrote:
Crowded House??
That would be good