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Length: 4:14
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(There'll be food on the table tonight)
Hey, hey, hey
(There'll be pay in your pocket tonight)
My gut is wrenched out, it is crunched up and broken
My life that is lived is no more than a token
Who'll strike the flint upon the stone and tell me why?
If I yell out at night there's a reply of blue silence
The screen is no comfort, I can't speak my sentence
They blew the lights at heaven's gate and I don't know why
But if I work all day on the blue sky mine
(There'll be food on the table tonight)
Still I walk up and down on the blue sky mine
(There'll be pay in your pocket tonight)
The candy store paupers lie to the shareholders
They're crossing their fingers, they pay the truth makers
The balance sheet is breaking up the sky
So I'm caught at the junction, still waiting for medicine
The sweat of my brow keeps on feeding the engine
Hope the crumbs in my pocket can keep me for another night
And if the blue sky mining company won't come to my rescue
If the sugar refining company won't save me
Who's gonna save me?
Who's gonna save me?
Who's gonna save me?
But if I work all day on the blue sky mine
(There'll be food on the table tonight)
And if walk up and down on the blue sky mine
(There'll be pay in your pocket tonight)
And some have sailed from a distant shore
(And the company takes what the company wants)
And nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground
Who's gonna save me?
Who's gonna save me?
I pray that sense and reason brings us in
Who's gonna save me?
Who's gonna save me?
We got nothing to fear
In the end the rain comes down
In the end the rain comes down
Washes clean the streets of the blue sky town
I was working in Kalgoorlie when the Oils rocked up to film the video clip to this song - late '89 as I recall.
They encouraged the local population to come out in droves as informal extras during the filming, telling the predominatly mining-oriented residents that the song would give the mining industry a fair go. When the song was released, there was shock and dismay at the song's lyrics - a betrayal of trust that would never be forgotten.
Fun fact: Filming was called off on the first day of the shoot due to rainy conditions. The following day was sunny (as most are in Kal), and, lo and behold, the crew revealed a rain machine for the shoot!
Duping locals is a thing. Always and forever. How business gets done.
Who's gonna shave me?
Mate, naut with that naif, that's naut a naif, nau this, this is a naif!
They encouraged the local population to come out in droves as informal extras during the filming, telling the predominatly mining-oriented residents that the song would give the mining industry a fair go. When the song was released, there was shock and dismay at the song's lyrics - a betrayal of trust that would never be forgotten.
Fun fact: Filming was called off on the first day of the shoot due to rainy conditions. The following day was sunny (as most are in Kal), and, lo and behold, the crew revealed a rain machine for the shoot!
I agree. Heard it this morning and cranked it!
He is the barber who shaves all those, and those only, who do not shave themselves. It's an unanswerable question.
Could the reason be that social conscience was fashionable back then. Presumably that generation was aged in their 20's and 30's but we don't hear a loud voice now from the 'elderly' in their 50's and 60''s (or 70's and 80's for that matter).
Nor from their children.
It is most interesting how comments that I never made got attributed to me because of clumsy quoting, copying and pasting.
No biggie.
But I will leave you with the thought that self-styled liberals and 'progressives' have no idea how their policies have hurt indigenous peoples and other poor peoples over the decades.
I would also guess that many Democratic voters heap most of the blame for the Da'esh scourge on Republican voters when in reality Democratic voters are the just as much the Godparents of Da'esh.
The USA and to some Canada too are among the few places in the world where self-styled progressives and secular humanists can advocate the ethnic-cleansing of the Holy Lands, minimize the potential for blow back and feel really good about it all.
Was that you on Richards last Saturday afternoon?
Still Rockin to this great classic!
How about some Lester Butler instead?
Looking at the singer, he got help with that
Do you ever play Jack Green?
It is most interesting how comments that I never made got attributed to me because of clumsy quoting, copying and pasting.
No biggie.
But I will leave you with the thought that self-styled liberals and 'progressives' have no idea how their policies have hurt indigenous peoples and other poor peoples over the decades.
I would also guess that many Democratic voters heap most of the blame for the Da'esh scourge on Republican voters when in reality Democratic voters are the just as much the Godparents of Da'esh.
The USA and to some Canada too are among the few places in the world where self-styled progressives and secular humanists can advocate the ethnic-cleansing of the Holy Lands, minimize the potential for blow back and feel really good about it all.
Great music
Midnight Oil had a few decent singles, BUT THIS ONE WAS THE BEST ONE!
Zeppo ?
rdo wrote:
I saw Peter Garrett, MP just this morning at the ANZ autoteller in Maroubra Junction.
Yes, lets put an end to companies and follow the environmental examples of real Socialist countries like China and the USSR. Now THERE'S a great idea!
Your comment is as dated as your idealism. The USSR isn't here any longer...as the man said below, do try to keep up. No one wants to "put an end to companies" they want the companies to behave humanely and ethically, like a person might (They do so want to be people these days, after all). As for governments being responsible for the messes being created by multinational corporations, well...same goes for them, really.
Your argument is just nothing but anger, unless you are actually advocating unsafe, unfair and unsustainable environmental assaults and the erosion of human rights...but that would be nuts, wouldn't it?
I confess I never got out of my Midnight oil phase
Yes, lets put an end to companies and follow the environmental examples of real Socialist countries like China and the USSR. Now THERE'S a great idea!
Trite and pointless remark. Environmental exploitation is a function of power and wealth. Governments and corporations are alike in that regard. To the poor sods getting the rough end of the pineapple the result is the same - their environment is trashed and their health f*cked.
And in case you've not heard the news, the USSR collapsed in 1991. Do keep up.
Peter Robert Garrett, AM, MP (born 16 April 1953), is an Australian musician, environmentalist, activist and politician.
Garrett was lead singer of the Australian rock band Midnight Oil from 1973 until its disbanding in 2002. He served as President of the Australian Conservation Foundation for a total of ten years, and in 2003 was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his contribution to the environment and music industry.
He has been an Australian Labor Party member of the House of Representatives for the seat of Kingsford Smith, New South Wales, since October 2004. After the Labor Party won in the November 2007 election, Garrett was appointed Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. On 8 March 2010, his portfolio title was changed to Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts.He continued in this role in Julia Gillard's first Ministry. He was re-elected at the 2010 election and was appointed Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth by Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He was sworn into this portfolio on 14 September 2010 as a member of the Second Gillard Ministry. In 2009, the French Government appointed Garrett an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters. In 2010, WWF Australia and International presented him with their Leaders for a Living Planet award.
Yes, lets put an end to companies and follow the environmental examples of real Socialist countries like China and the USSR. Now THERE'S a great idea!
If those countries were actually socialist in anything other than name anymore, your argument would have more force.
Watched Avatar the other day. Good portrait of colonialism. Except companies don't harass indigenous people nowadays. Governments do.
Anyone who believes that private companies are not involved in the direct killing of indigenous people, as well as the funding of civil wars, should look at Shell's involvement in Nigeria. I know it is now cool to hate government and love corporations, but at least there is some democratic process in place to change or influence your government, whereas there is no process to mitigate the activities of private power.
Hmmm. Looking at the current new government of Italy. . . all unelected. That's democracy for you.
At least with some corporates one can remove your right to buy their product and have a small chance to do something.
Yes, lets put an end to companies and follow the environmental examples of real Socialist countries like China and the USSR. Now THERE'S a great idea!
Relatively good, at least (this one)!
6
It all sounds fine then it all goes "blaaart blaaarrt" in dissonance with the rest of the band.
So...who IS gonna shave me?
You do realise that the lead singer, Peter Garrett, was appointed Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, right?
And that he was removed from that office because of his incompetence administering a home insulation program which was linked to four deaths, over 100 house fires, and questions of fraud, right?
Can't sing. Can't dance. Can't seem to do much of anything right.
BTW, the song sucks.
I love your post.
You do realise that the lead singer, Peter Garrett, was appointed Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, right?
And that he was removed from that office because of his incompetence administering a home insulation program which was linked to four deaths, over 100 house fires, and questions of fraud, right?
Can't sing. Can't dance. Can't seem to do much of anything right.
BTW, the song sucks.
You do realize that Garrett wrote to Kevin Rudd on four occasions to raise safety concerns, right? Gary Gray has stated in an interview:
The majority of caucus felt he had been badly treated. For Rudd and his office to position Garrett as the fall guy was disgraceful, weak, sneaky, unprincipled and just plain wrong. All along, Peter properly put his objections to the administration of the program on the record. How can you have a situation where Rudd executes complete and total influence, micromanages everything, yet not the home insulation program? The shape and execution of the program was certainly designed by the prime minister's office, if not the prime minister himself."
Watched Avatar the other day. Good portrait of colonialism. Except companies don't harass indigenous people nowadays. Governments do.
Anyone who believes that private companies are not involved in the direct killing of indigenous people, as well as the funding of civil wars, should look at Shell's involvement in Nigeria. I know it is now cool to hate government and love corporations, but at least there is some democratic process in place to change or influence your government, whereas there is no process to mitigate the activities of private power.
bronorb wrote:What's the difference?
Watched Avatar the other day. Good portrait of colonialism. Except companies don't harass indigenous people nowadays. Governments do.
What's the difference?
Governments usually oppress people in support of "economic development," which is often suggested by for-profit entities. That theme has been the source of music for centuries: blues, punk/revolt, even gospel tunes.
Nope, I'm stumped.
One of the two good songs they accomplished
in a 40 year career!
GREAT SONG
F**k POLITICS AND POLITICIANS (though),
even in AUSSIE-LAND!
You do realise that the lead singer, Peter Garrett, was appointed Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, right?
And that he was removed from that office because of his incompetence administering a home insulation program which was linked to four deaths, over 100 house fires, and questions of fraud, right?
Can't sing. Can't dance. Can't seem to do much of anything right.
BTW, the song sucks.
. . . but if I work all day at the blue sky mine there'll be food on the table tonight. . .
If the indigenous people are not in the way of those companies, they are not harrassed. But what about shell in Nigeria? Sweat shops in Asia and Honduras? Coca-Cola in Columbia? I have to admit the companies won't talk in their adds about such matters.
He must be the barber who only shaves the men who did not shave themselves.
That is your only reason?
SUPERMARKETS and ELEVATORS can serve you too - then!
SR
One of the two good songs they accomplished
in a 40 year career!
GREAT SONG
F**k POLITICS AND POLITICIANS (though),
even in AUSSIE-LAND!
Who's gonna shave me?
Indiana rain comes down...
Agreed - the lyric I excerpted below just suddenly struck me, and the meaning of the song became more clear. . . not to sound like a tired boomer, but if you're looking to the big corporation for a life saving event - you're setting yourself up for failure. . .
And if the blue sky mining company won't come to my rescue
If the sugar refining company won't save me
Who's gonna save me?
"Who's gonna save me?"
I like this song. Blue Sky mine is a good name because the odds of mining exploration turning into a commercially successful mine are extremely low.
That said, work at a modern mine run by a serious multi-national mining company can be one of the best jobs in the country. Modern mining codes are leaps ahead of what existed in past decades. Nothing goes forward without the approval of locals, particularly aboriginals. Mining has come a long ways.
Watched Avatar the other day. Good portrait of colonialism. Except companies don't harass indigenous people nowadays. Governments do.
And then....? Mostly "hot air"....
The opening riff from Highway To Hell would top my list of Aussie intros
I repeat : GREAT SONG. And great voice.
I'm with sirdroseph regarding his voice. Otherwise it'd be OK.
And I've always taken a shine to the coda in this song ("In the end the rain comes down...")...
And then....? Mostly "hot air"....
GORGEOUS 1-minute intro,
then he sings....
Just another marginal "2-3-good-songs" band from Austrigonees!
OK - this one's not too bad - but the real KICK is lacking!
LAWYERS do not necessarily have great bands,
and why they never play Europe,
instead hiding behind Ayers...
===============
I swear I did not recall I'd written that previously...!
Yeah, and what a great job he does as minister.
Did you catch them live? PGs' voice was only part of his act..........somehow I reckon he would turn the clock back if he could.
Great, isn't it?
Just Ridgway, he said.
hows this workin' for ya?
2002
Any chance somebody could upload that??
Nice!
Great follow up to REM.
Its' like pizza — keep the middle,toss the crust .. .hey crust is crust, and it's all over the cutting floor.
Hey, I love pizza crust!
I was working in Kalgoorlie when the Oils rocked up to film the video clip to this song - late '89 as I recall.
They encouraged the local population to come out in droves as informal extras during the filming, telling the predominatly mining-oriented residents that the song would give the mining industry a fair go. When the song was released, there was shock and dismay at the song's lyrics - a betrayal of trust that would never be forgotten.
Fun fact: Filming was called off on the first day of the shoot due to rainy conditions. The following day was sunny (as most are in Kal), and, lo and behold, the crew revealed a rain machine for the shoot!
Not sure what about the lyrics isn’t a fair shake for the mining industry. Unless a person had an enormous amount of self-delusion about how mining firms operate. I can’t muster much sympathy in that case.