Naked Flame
Midnight Oil · Head Injuries [1979]
"You'll be luck to make it till Tuesday"
I say "You must be joking, the idea's absurd"
But the picture's hanging on her every word
But she comes right back, her black velvet cat
Has gone smiled all over the carpet
He says "I know my rights, I've got nothing to say"
But he cried all night on the night 'n' day
I've seen the naked flame
And I'm turning my eyes away
"Yes it's a mad house," the minister shouts
But his words drown out in the crowd
He says "I open my mouth and some idiot speaks"
So he strikes the service for another two weeks
Then the party's over, it's a free-for-all
I'm under the table, I got my foot in the door
Well she's a natural leader, and she's bound to win
She's just waiting for the burning to begin
I've seen the naked flame
It's gonna burn me again
I'm dying down in the rain
And I'm turning my eyes away
(Rotsey/Hirst/Moginie)
Naked Flame
Released in 1979 on Midnight Oil's debut album Head Injuries, 'Naked Flame' stands as a defining track of the Australian punk movement. The song blends raw energy with the band's signature political consciousness, addressing themes of environmental degradation and social injustice. Written by George Young, it captures the urgency of the late 1970s with a driving rhythm and anthemic chorus that became a staple of the band's live performances. As one of the earliest recordings to bring Australian political rock to international attention, 'Naked Flame' exemplifies the fusion of punk aggression with lyrical depth that characterized Midnight Oil's early catalogue. Its enduring legacy lies in its ability to mobilize listeners while maintaining a distinct musical identity within the broader punk and new wave genres.