200 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #40: BEDS ARE BURNING. Continues: next week.

CAFFE` LATTE` PRESENTS

200 SONGS

WITH THE

BEST LYRICS

of all-time.

#40

BEDS ARE BURNING

“…How can we dance

when our earth is turning?

How do we sleep

while our beds are burning?...”

Midnight Oil songs have often tackled social issues. "Beds Are Burning" broached aboriginal land rights. While touring the country in 1986, the band members were affected by the plight of Australia's indigenous. This inspired Peter Garrett, Rob Hirst and Jim Moginie to write the song. The track was included on the group's 1987 album 'Diesel And Dust'. 

"Beds Are Burning" was a worldwide hit. It made the Top 10 in Australia, Britain , Europe, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. In the U.S.A., the single peaked at #17.

The disc was issued just prior to Australia celebrating its bicentennial. 1988 marked 200 years since the arrival of the British settlers and thus the dispossession of Australia's first people. Midnight Oil's song was a timely reminder of the aboriginal perspective.

As new songs are covered on this blog, a definitive version will be added to a spotify playlist. Find it and the other Caffé Latté playlists at:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte4