"Forgotten Years" Midnight Oil

Two versions of one of Midnight Oil's most typical and popular songs from their "Blue Sky Mine" album...
   This record followed "Diesel & Dust" so that just when they were making a huge name for themselves they took a year off only touring this record lightly. While not launching themselves into the stratosphere they made enough impact to cement their fame & fortune. This they collectively & individually have churned into foundations, charitable causes  & ongoing interest in indigenous education & health!!Band members play in any number of their own projects and members like Jim Moginie have turned their talents to playing and working with the production of some stellar artists recordings.
This song "Forgotten Years" is a reminder that a band can play it's best signature rhythms, get a crowd moving and still sing about stuff that matters!!
   The original 'on location' clip sets the context for this song and could be a chapter of an Oils anthology of their lyrics entitled 'Lucky Country'!! For me the song addresses the hard fought freedoms countries like ours have enjoyed since 'the war to end all wars' and is a plea that we not forget, but not just the efforts, bravery or determination of soldiers... but rather all that goes to make us who we are... without glorifying or celebrating war. It reminds us of the way we might take the 'inbetween years' for granted... and not learn any enduring lessons.
   If history has shown us anything, as humanity we are capable of great atrocities, selfishness, corruption of power, evil and delusional thoughts of dominion. Today I'd take Nov 11th to represent a reminder of the pain & loss, the foolishness and the untruth that is war. It's clear from the records that bravery, commitment to freedom and determination to bring peace are but small pieces of a pretty futile puzzle that goes to make up the nationalism that leads to armed conflict. Let's not forget the pain of loss, the families forever effected and the countries whose very 'soul' has been scarred by World War. Something like this is the ANZAC Day Address I wanted to give in 1979 and the one I tried to with far fewer resources, insights or years on experience... just the nagging notion that calling it a commemoration is not enough to bring perspective!!