Sleep
Midnight Oil · Red Sails In The Sunset [1984]
The evening wore out your shoes
To a shuffling beat
It's a colorful crowd
Spraycan information
Cover the lonely station
Checkpoint for the state of the nation
On the missionbeat beat
The radio drug
Wayward destinations
Secondhand sensation
In the back of the cell
The plug and the cord
Shoulder dislocation
Bruised in isolation
In the eye of the storm
Writing on walls
Cross my heart confusion
Looking for a new solution
It's the heat of the land
Swallowing sweat
Say those dreams can shake me
Dawn come down and save me
Take this heart
Break this heart
Wrap it up and let me sleep
Sleep
Sleep stands as a defining track from Midnight Oil's 1984 album Red Sails In The Sunset, capturing the band's signature blend of driving rock rhythms and urgent social commentary. During this era, the group solidified their reputation for addressing political and environmental themes with relentless energy. The recording showcases the band's tight instrumentation and Peter Garrett's distinctive vocal delivery, which often conveyed a sense of weary determination. As part of a discography known for its activism, this song reflects the group's ability to craft anthems that resonate beyond the studio. It remains a key song in their catalogue, illustrating the musical evolution that would lead to their international acclaim in the following years.