YMMV / Midnight Oil

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• Americans Hate Tingle: Like most well-known bands not based in the US or UK, Midnight Oil are perpetually stuck in the trap of being incredibly popular (or at least incredibly notable) in their home countries and virtually nowhere else... aside from those who deem them a One-Hit Wonder for "Beds are Burning". Before then, they were able to establish a cult following stateside through airplay on College Radio and MTV.
• Applicability: Many of their songs are about the struggle of Australian Aborigines, but many of the lyrics could also apply to other indigenous peoples who face similar struggles.
• Anvilicious: The Americans Hate Tingle aspect is likely because the band is so wrapped up in Australian politics that they simply can't resonate very far off their home continent. It definitely hobbles their ability to relate elsewhere.
• Awesome Music: The consensus is that the albums 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and Diesel and Dust are this. There are too many qualifying songs to name, but "Beds Are Burning" was their biggest hit, charting in the top 10 of five countries, and "US Forces" was unequivocally the live favourite.
  • There is also the time they performed on The Panel and did an acoustic rendition of "Short Memory." It has to be seen to be believed.
• Big-Lipped Alligator Moment: "Power and the Passion" features a frenetic drum solo from Rob Hirst, who doesn't usually do solos.
• Bizarro Episode: "Bakerman" on Red Sails in the Sunset. A Japanese school band plays a cheerful oompa ditty.
• Epic Riff: A lot. It might be easier to just name the ones that don't have one.
  • The one from "Beds are Burning" might actually be the only thing people outside Australia know them for.
• Fan Nickname: The Oils.
• Harsher in Hindsight: "Beds are Burning". Originally this song mirrors to the Stolen Generation and the other injustices that Aboriginals faced in the past. Nowadays people associate this song to the recent Australian Bushfires of 2019-2020 due to people taking the chorus at literal-value.
• Signature Song: "Beds are Burning" is easily their most famous song, especially abroad.
• Suspiciously Similar Song: The bassline in the verses for "Beds are Burning" has often be compared to the theme from Peter Gunn.

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