Music and politics

I got my Midnight Oil tickets! I can’t tell you how excited I am. I have never seen them live. I do not know how that happened.

I remember listening to a guy talking about the nature of memory (I know). He said no other music will evoke memories in the way the music of your youth will. It is difficult to disagree. It is the reason I still cry when I hear a David Bowie song. (Oh dear). My relationship with the Oils is different to my relationship with David. When I was 13 I was going marry David. Or his son. Either one would do.

Listening to Midnight Oil coincided with my increasing political awareness and my understanding of social injustice in society. It is possible the Oils and studying modern history led me to my career in social work and community development.

I was so excited to turn 18 and vote. I didn’t get my driver’s license until I was 23 which is an indication of my priorities. Imagine, my first ever chance to vote, at Goombungee State School – true National Party country, and I can vote for Peter Garrett in the Nuclear Disarmament Party!

There are two things I remember from the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Kylie riding around on a giant thong. (Did that really happen? It sounds too surreal) And Midnight Oil in their Sorry suits singing the Beds are Burning. Way to give the finger to our Prime Minister! I couldn’t believe they just waltzed on stage and sang that song to the whole world.

There are so many songs to choose from but I must choose one. I choose US Forces because all these decades later bombs are still falling.

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