MIDNIGHT OIL
1978

Produced by Keith Walker, Marilyn Productions and Midnight Oil
Recorded and mixed at Albert's Studio, Sydney
Engineered by Keith Walker

  1. Powderworks*
  2. Head Over Heels*
  3. Dust
  4. Used and Abused*
  5. Surfing With A Spoon*
  6. Run By Night
  7. Nothing Lost - Nothing Gained*

*Audio Sample Provided


POWDERWORKS

 (Hirst/Moginie/Rotsey/Garrett/Gifford)

There's a shit storm a'coming I feel it coming soon
There's a time and a place There's a moment in space
When the fat boys call the tune
There's a bubble a'bouncing
And it's bouncing my way
There's two sticks in the powderworks
I think it's gonna blow today
There's a shit storm a'coming
Somebody claiming some I.O.U's
Because the animal's back with the man intact
They had a gun at my head and a knife at my back
Don't wind me up too tight
I've been had by the balls all my life
I'm in no mood now to stop dead and talk it over

I don't need no fire and brimstone warning
I've been a long time punching bag
I won't run no race where there ain't no prize
Take a look at my face Don't you see this ain't no lies?

There's a shit storm a'coming
They're getting in for one free bite
I was taken by surpirse
By the glint in the eyes of a sweet campaign
Smelling strongly of lies
You're the original Mr. Clean
But the closeups make you look awful mean
You're just a con man raving Saying nothing new

 HEAD OVER HEELS
(Hirst/Rotsey/Moginie)

I'm head over heels   
You know how it feels to be in love
I'm head over heels   
Holding back the chills of love
I think I like the sound we're chasing
I'm giving it all and you're reciprocating

I'm head over heels   
Turning back the wheels of love
We're stealing the show
You're stealing my money and love
You're all the same you part-time lovers

When it starts to rain
You're hiding under covers

It just don't add up   
This summer fever
She turns the truth and I don't believe her
Stories flying, love is dying
In the end I can't understand her lying

I'm head over heels in love
I think I like the sound we're chasing

HELPS ME HELPS YOU
(Hirst/Moginie)

Look at all the toys I got
Look at all the things I need
Look at all the toys I got
Look at all the mouths I feed

Have I got a wonderful deal for you
What belongs to me belongs to you
I understand what you're going through
I know the point to push you to

My policy helps me helps you
Generosity helps me helps you
Conspiracy helps me helps you
Put your trust in me I'll help you too

Look at all the things I've done
Look at all the rights I wrong
The means will justify the end
For you to save and me to spend

'Cos I've got a great idea you see
What belongs to me belongs to me
I know just what you wanna do
I know how I can get there too

Hypocrisy helps me helps you
Democracy helps me helps you
Ideology helps me helps you
Put your trust in me
I'll help your through


DUST
(Moginie/Garrett/Hirst)

It's 2 a.m. in town hall station
Black walls and sleeping drunks are bad companions
Ice is there
Fear is there
Everyone is nowhere there's too much of nothing
Take me away
Take me away
It's 9 a.m. in town hall station
Flashing faces and grey heards no comparison
So sorry
So straight
Everyone is nowhere there's too much of nothing
Take me away
Take me away


USED AND ABUSED
(Hirst/Moginie)
I was taken downtown for my part in the demonstration
I was used and abused
With the light in my eyes at the station   I said
No no!   You got the wrong man
No no!   Don't pick on me again
No no!   I'm going home to my family and friends

I'm too busy making a living to make any money
And the living ain't easy
And the money disappears in a hurry   I said
No no!   I'm going back to school
No no!   They're treating me so curel
No no!   I'm breaking all the rules

I was talking to the man
He said   We're gonna make a deal
I was fooled into thinking
That the paper in my pocket was real   I said
No no!   You've been taken again
No no!   You're losing all your friends
No no!   It's just a matter of sense


SURFING WITH A SPOON
(Hirst/Moginie/Rotsey/Garrett/Gifford)

Well you knew from the start
That a one way loving wouldn't last
You think I'm moving slowly  girl
I tell you   
You're moving way too fast

Working in the city from nine to five
Traffic on the highway gonna blow my mind
Surfing with a spoon all the rest of the time
Oh yeah   All the rest of the time

You better find your way without me
'Cos I'm heading for the coast in June
Don't talk about me when I'm gone
You know I coudn't leave too soon

I'm back in town   You're still around
I guess I'll have to stay away
I'm going up north where the weather's fine
And I'm living it from day to day

RUN BY NIGHT
(Moginie/Hirst/Rotsey)
I'm on the whisky flying   And I'll run by night
I'm on the whisky runnin'   And I'll run by night
I'm on the winter cycle   Shut my eyes to the bite
I'm on the winter cycle  Shake my fist to the bite

I'm on the whisky flying   And I'll run by night
I'm on the phone to summer   So I'll see you on the flight
My friends are at the party   Playing games with the light
I hate to say I'm wrong   Ijust know I'm right

We all run by night

I'm on the whisky flying   And I'll run by night
I'm on the glaze a burning   And it burns in the light
I'm on a turning circle   Turn my face from the bite
I'm on a turning circle   Hear me screaming at the bite

I'm on the edge of danger   And I'll run by night
I'm on the phone to summer   So I'll see you on the flight
My friends are at the party   Playing games with the light
I hate to say I'm wrong   I just know I'm right

We all run by night
NOTHING LOST - NOTHING GAINED
(Moginie)        

In my world there are sorrows
That I'd rather drown in happiness
Come the morning   When the darkness' through
That story's bound to change

And in my world and in my world
It's all the same
And nothing's ventured   Nothing's changed
And nothing's lost and nothing's gained

Turn up the T.V.   Make the music loud
Better to ignore the rabid dog baying at your door
Draw the blind   Change the channel if you dare
Better to say   I don't care

Go and jump aboard the train to freedom
It's a one-way fare
You even find that when the tunnel's through
Your ticket's vanished   forgotten you

You hear the bell   You know it's time to jump off
'Cause there's nothing at the platform's edge again
It's too late
It's over to you