Midnight Oil discography

Midnight Oil discography

The Oils at Manly Leagues Club in 2005
Releases
Studio albums 11
Live albums 3
Compilation albums 2
EPs 2
Singles 39
Video albums 4
Music videos 35

The discography of Australian rock group Midnight Oil consists of eleven studio albums, thirty-nine singles, two EPs, four video albums, three live albums, and two compilation albums. As of 2006, the band had achieved sales of over 12 million units worldwide.[1]

Midnight Oil began under the name Farm in 1972, establishing their own record label 'Powderworks' in 1977. They released their debut self-titled album Midnight Oil in 1978 along with their first single "Run by Night".[2][3] Their first three albums charted in the top 50 of the Australian Kent Music Report; in Australia, Head Injuries was certified gold and Place without a Postcard was certified platinum.

Their fourth album was their first to reach the top 10; 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (1982) peaked at number three in Australia pushing them to the level of mainstream recognition locally. It also brought their first appearance on the United States charts, peaking at number 178 on the Billboard 200. The album's first single, "Power and the Passion", was their first top ten single in Australia, at number eight. In 1984, Midnight Oil's Red Sails in the Sunset became their first number one album in Australia. It was the first of four in a row between 1984 and 1993. 1985 saw the release of the seminal EP "Species Deceases" featuring the powerful anti-war anthem "Hercules" and the environmentalist anthem "Pictures".

"The Dead Heart" in 1986 became the band's highest-charting Australian single, peaking at number four. It was followed by "Beds Are Burning" at number six, with both singles from the 1987 album Diesel and Dust which edged them into mainstream global recognition. In addition to number one in Australia, Diesel and Dust peaked at number 20 on the United Kingdom Albums Chart; it was certified platinum in the US and three times platinum in Canada. Midnight Oil followed up the success of Diesel and Dust with their seventh studio album Blue Sky Mining in 1990. It was their first and only to peak in the top 20 of the Billboard 200. It brought the single "Blue Sky Mine", which charted at number one on both the US Mainstream and Modern Rock charts. The second single "Forgotten Years" also charted at number one on the Modern Rock chart. Their last Australian number one studio album was Earth and Sun and Moon, bringing another three top ten singles on the US Modern Rock charts.

In the next decade, Midnight Oil released three further studio albums, all of which registered on the top ten charts in Australia, but failed to live up to the success of their earlier efforts. In 1997, the band released the greatest hits album 20,000 Watt R.S.L., which has since achieved four times platinum sales in Australia. In 2002, lead vocalist Peter Garrett announced his decision to leave Midnight Oil, concluding the band's 30-year career.[2]

Contents

Studio albums

Year Album details Chart peak positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
AUS
[4][5]
AUT
[6]
NZ
[7]
NOR
[8]
SWE
[9]
SWI
[10]
UK
[11]
US
[12][13]
NLD[14]
1978 Midnight Oil
  • Released: November 1978
  • Label: Powderworks (MLF 233)
  • Formats: CD, cassette, LP
43
1979 Head Injuries
  • Released: October 1979
  • Label: Powderworks (MLF 322)
  • Formats: CD, cassette, LP
36 AUS: Gold[3]
1981 Place without a Postcard
  • Released: November 1981
  • Label: CBS (SBP 237704)
  • Formats: CD, cassette, LP
12 AUS: Platinum[15]
1982 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
  • Released: December 1982
  • Label: CBS (SBP 237868)
  • Formats: CD, cassette, LP
3 178 AUS: 3×Platinum[16][17]
1984 Red Sails in the Sunset
  • Released: October 1984
  • Label: CBS (SBP 238027)
  • Formats: CD, cassette, LP
1 177
1987 Diesel and Dust
  • Released: August 1987
  • Label: CBS (CDCBS 460005 2)
  • Formats: CD, cassette, LP
1 5 7 19 21 11 AUS: 7×Platinum[18]
CAN: 3×Platinum[19]
SWE: Gold[20]
SWI: 2×Platinum[21]
UK: Gold[22]
US: Platinum[23]
1990 Blue Sky Mining
  • Released: 25 February 1990
  • Label: CBS (465653 2)
  • Formats: CD, cassette, LP
1 13 2 3 2 28 20 20 CAN: Platinum[19]
SWE: Gold[20]
SWI: Platinum[24]
US: Gold[23]
1993 Earth and Sun and Moon
  • Released: 20 April 1993
  • Label: Columbia (CK 53793)
  • Formats: CD, LP
1 15 5 27 49 57 CAN: Gold[19]
SWI: Gold[25]
1996 Breathe
  • Released: 15 October 1996
  • Label: Columbia (485402 2)
  • Formats: CD
3 26 31 155 AUS: Gold[26]
1998 Redneck Wonderland
  • Released: 3 November 1998
  • Label: Columbia (489971 2)
  • Formats: CD
7
2002 Capricornia
  • Released: 19 February 2002
  • Label: Columbia (5062032000)
  • Formats: CD
8
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Year Album details Chart peak positions Certifications
AUS
[5]
NZ
[7]
1997 20,000 Watt R.S.L.
  • Released: 12 October 1997
  • Label: Sony (488866 2)
  • Formats: CD, LP
1 18 AUS: 4×Platinum[27]
FRA: Gold[28]
2006 Flat Chat
  • Released: 14 August 2006
  • Label: Sony BMG (82876 87409 2)
  • Formats: CD
10
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Live albums

Year Album details Chart peak positions Certifications
AUS
[5]
AUT
[6]
SWE
[9]
SWI
[10]
NLD
[29]
1992 Scream in Blue (Live)
  • Released: 5 May 1992
  • Label: Columbia (COL 471453 2)
  • Formats: CD, cassette
2 30 42 28 70
2000 The Real Thing
  • Released: 8 July 2000
  • Label: Columbia (498278 2)
  • Formats: CD
7 AUS: Gold[30]
2004 Best of Both Worlds[31]
  • Released: 5 April 2004
  • Label: ABC (13740)
  • Formats: CD, DVD
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Extended plays

Year Album details Chart peak positions Certifications
AUS
[4]
1980 Bird Noises
  • Released: October 1980
  • Label: Powderworks (MSPD 462)
  • Formats: EP, cassette, LP
28 AUS: Gold[32]
1985 Species Deceases
  • Released: December 1985
  • Label: Columbia (PCT 46135)
  • Formats: EP, cassette, 12" vinyl
1
1986 The Dead Heart[2]
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Video albums

Year Album details
1987 Black Fella White Fella[33]
  • Released: 1987
  • Label: SMV Enterprises (200440 2)
  • Formats: VHS, DVD / CD (2008 re-release)
1990 Black Rain Falls[33][34]
  • Released: 1990
  • Label: CMV Enterprises (49048 2)
  • Formats: VHS
1997 20,000 Watt R.S.L. The Midnight Oil Collection[33][35]
  • Released: 1997
  • Label: SMV (200780 9)
  • Formats: DVD
2004 Best of Both Worlds[31]
  • Released: 5 April 2004
  • Label: ABC (13740)
  • Formats: DVD, CD

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[4][5]
FRA
[36]
NLD
[37]
NOR
[8]
SWI
[10]
UK
[11]
US Hot
[38][39]
US Main.
[38][39]
US Mod.
[38][39]
1978 "Run by Night" 100 Midnight Oil
1979 "Cold Cold Change" Head Injuries
1980 "Back on the Borderline"
1981 "Don't Wanna Be the One" 40 Place without a Postcard
"Armistice Day" 31
1982 "Power and the Passion" 8 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1
"Read About It"
" US Forces" 20
1984 "When the Generals Talk" Red Sails in the Sunset
1985 "Best of Both Worlds"
1986 "The Dead Heart" [A] 4 19 40 62[B] 53 11 Diesel and Dust
1987 "Beds Are Burning"[A][C] 6 5 3 6[D] 17 6
"Put Down That Weapon" 32 34
1988 "Dreamworld" 37 16
1990 "Blue Sky Mine" 8 25 33 8 11 66 47 1 1 Blue Sky Mining
"Forgotten Years" 26 44 97 11 1
"King of the Mountain" 25 20 3
"Bedlam Bridge" 46
"One Country" 51
1992 "Sometimes" (Live) 33 20 Scream in Blue (Live)
1993 "Truganini" 10 29 10 4 Earth and Sun and Moon
"My Country" 52 66
"In the Valley" 57 60
"Drums of Heaven" 10
"Outbreak of Love" 9
1996 "Underwater" 22 Breathe
1997 "Surf's Up Tonight"
"White Skin Black Heart Redneck Wonderland
1998 "Cemetery in My Mind"
"What Goes On"
"Redneck Wonderland"
1999 "Say Your Prayers" The Real Thing / Capricornia
2000 "The Real Thing" 48 The Real Thing
"Spirit of the Age"
2001 "Golden Age" Capricornia
"Too Much Sunshine"
2002 "Luritja Way"
"Mosquito March"
2003 "No Man's Land" Non-album single
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Notes

  • A^ "The Dead Heart" and "Beds Are Burning" were both released in United States and United Kingdom in 1988
  • B^ "The Dead Heart" peaked at number 62 in 1989 after its re-release in the UK; its first release originally peaked at number 68
  • C^ "Beds Are Burning " was certified gold in Canada[19]
  • D^ "Beds Are Burning" peaked at number 6 in 1989 after its re-release in the UK; its first release originally peaked at number 48

Music videos

Year Title Director
1979 "Used and Abused" [A]
"Cold Cold Change" [A]
1981 "Armistice Day" David Bradbury[40]
1982 "No Time for Games" Ray Argall[40]
"Lucky Country" Ray Argall[40]
"US Forces" Tony Stevens[40]
1983 "Power and the Passion" Ray Argall[40]
"Short Memory" John Duigan, Ray Argall[40]
1984 "Read About It" Ray Argall[41]
1985 "Read About It" (Live) Mark Fitzgerald[40]
"Best of Both Worlds" John Whitteron[42]
"Pictures" John Whitteron, Tony Stevens[40]
1986 "The Dead Heart" Ray Argall[40]
1987 "Beds Are Burning" Andrew De Groot[40]
"Put Down That Weapon" Martin Stauce / John Wilkinson[40]
1988 "Dreamworld" Andrew de Groot / Paul Elliot[40]
1989 "Hercules" Mark Fitzgerald[40]
1990 "Blue Sky Mine" Claudia Castle[43]
"Forgotten Years" Claudia Castle[40]
"Bedlam Bridge" Claudia Castle[40]
"King of the Mountain" John Diaz / Larry Jordan[44]
1992 "Sometimes" Larry Jordan[40]
1993 "One Country" Ken Duncan[40]
"Truganini" Josh Taft[40]
"My Country" Claudia Castle[40]
"Outbreak of Love" Sally Bongers / Paul Elliott[40][43]
"In the Valley" Paul Elliott[40]
1996 "Surf's Up Tonight" Maurice Todman[40]
"Sins of Omission" Maurice Todman[40]
"Underwater" Maurice Todman / Tim Bonython[40]
1997 "White Skin Black Heart" Andrew Lancaster[40]
1998 "Redneck Wonderland" Jonathan Cohen[40]
"Cemetery in My Mind" [B]
2002 "Mosquito March" (Live) Jon Olb and Sean Riley[C]
"Luritja Way" (Live) Jon Olb and Sean Riley[C]

Notes

  • A^ These clips were filmed at the Channel Seven television station in Sydney, New South Wales and have no attributable director.[40]
  • B^ The name of the Director for these music videos has not been found in reliable sources.
  • C^ These clips were filmed for the TV series Live at the Chapel.[45] on 12 February 2002. They were included on a Special Edition release of Capricornia.[46]

Other appearances

Year Song contributed Album
1991 "Wharf Rat" (Grateful Dead cover) Deadicated: A Tribute to the Grateful Dead[47]
1998 "Pub with No Beer" (Slim Dusty cover) Not So Dusty - A Tribute to Slim Dusty[48]
2002 "Beds Are Burning" (Live) Live at the World Café: Vol. 15 - Handcrafted[49]
2003 "Beds Are Burning" (Acoustic) The Very Best of MTV Unplugged, Vol. 2[50]
2008 "Beds Are Burning" (Tamarama mix) Caution: Life Ahead![51]

References

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  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa (1997) Album notes for 20,000 Watt R.S.L. The Midnight Oil Collection by Midnight Oil.
  41. ^ "Video Clips". The Dead Heart. http://www.deadheart.org.uk/media/videos/. Retrieved 2009-02-02. 
  42. ^ ""Best of Both Words" (Promotional video)". The Dead Heart. June 2004. http://www.deadheart.org.uk/news_and_info/songdb/song.php?subSongId=26&subVersionId=296. Retrieved 2009-01-31. 
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  44. ^ (1990) Album notes for Midnight Oil - Black Rain Falls by Midnight Oil. The Dead Heart.
  45. ^ "Live at the Chapel". DVD.net.au. http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=2177. Retrieved 2009-02-09. 
  46. ^ "Capriconia (Special Edition)". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Midnight-Oil-Capricornia-Special-Edition/release/768873. Retrieved 2009-02-09. 
  47. ^ "Deadicated: A Tribute to the Grateful Dead". AllMusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r23120. Retrieved 2009-02-04. 
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  50. ^ "The Very Best of MTV Unplugged, Vol. 2". AllMusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r631561. Retrieved 2009-02-02. 
  51. ^ "CAUTION: Life Ahead!". Cautionlifeahead.com.au. http://www.cautionlifeahead.com.au/. Retrieved 2009-01-27. 

External links