Progress
Midnight Oil · Essential Oils [2012]
Forget about your indecision, let's get the beast off our land
A tree that can grow no longer, a beach that has got no sand
I would pay out a king's ransom, if we could just understand
Got your last meal, filled up with pesticide
Hamburger chain third world infanticide
Got robot car your jobs will disappear
It's the politics of a brand new year
Manhattanization is coming, open your eyes if you dare
Carry us on to the crossroads, come to your senses and care
16 million, I can't hear you at all
Some say that's progress
I say that's cruel
You may be safe in your hemisphere
But there's so much junk in the stratosphere
We got our eyes on the firmament, hands on the armaments
Heads full of arguments, and words for our monuments
I won't deny it, can we survive?
Some say that's progress
I say that's cruel.
Progress
Midnight Oil's "Progress" stands as a defining anthem of the Australian anti-nuclear movement, delivered with the band's signature fusion of punk energy and melodic rock. Released on the 2012 compilation "Essential Oils," the track revitalizes their decades-long campaign against nuclear proliferation, blending urgent political messaging with a driving rhythm that has become a staple of their live performances. The song exemplifies the band's commitment to using music as a vehicle for social justice, maintaining a distinct voice that resonates globally while remaining deeply rooted in Australian identity. Its enduring popularity reflects the timeless relevance of its themes and the band's ability to craft anthems that unite listeners around shared values.