Dreamworld (Midnight Oil song) explained

Dreamworld
Cover:Dreamworld_by_Midnight_Oil.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Midnight Oil
Album:Diesel and Dust
Released:December 1987
Producer:Warne Livesy, Midnight Oil
Prev Title:Put Down That Weapon
Prev Year:1987
Next Title:Blue Sky Mine
Next Year:1990

"Dreamworld" is a song by Australian rock band Midnight Oil released in 1987 as the fourth and final single from their sixth studio album, Diesel and Dust. In the United States, the song reached No. 16 on the Modern Rock chart[1] and No. 37 on the Mainstream Rock chart.[2]

The song laments the loss of much of Queensland's built heritage — including the Cloudland Dance Hall, where Midnight Oil had frequently performed[3] — which was demolished under the then-ruling Joh Bjelke-Petersen state government.[4] [5] [6] Prior to the song being released, the band performed a version with some alternative lyrics at the Live @ RMIT, Melbourne, Australia - March 7, 1987 concert. The Dreamworld theme park, which inspired the song's name, is briefly shown in the music video. The video also includes demolition footage of the above-mentioned built heritage.

Track listings

7"

  1. "Dreamworld" - 3:36
  2. "Short Memory" - 4:54

12"

  1. "Dreamworld" - 3:36
  2. "Short Memory" - 4:54
  3. "Beds are Burning" (Tamarama Mix) - 8:04

Chart performance

Weekly Charts

Chart (1988/89)Peak
position
Italy Singles Chart FIMIageli"center"21
New Zealand Singles Chart34
Poland Singles Chart62
U.S. Billboard Hot 10091
U.S. Billboard Alternative Songs94
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock37

Year-end charts

align"left"Chart (1988)Peak
position
UK Singles Chart89

Notes and References

  1. https://www.billboard.com/artist/midnight-oil/chart-history/mrt/ Midnight Oil Billboard Alternative Songs Chart History
  2. https://www.billboard.com/artist/midnight-oil/chart-history/rtt/ Midnight Oil Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart History
  3. News: Peter Garrett remembers Cloudland . Ping Lo . 2008-10-20 . ABC Radio Brisbane . https://web.archive.org/web/20081023121647/https://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2008/10/20/2395688.htm . 2008-10-23 .
  4. http://radicaltimes.info/PDF/Cloudland.pdf Radical Times -State-approved Vandalism in Brisbane
  5. Web site: Cloudland: Thanks for the memories. Lucy Brook. 2012-05-25. The Australian Ballet.
  6. Web site: MILESAGO - Venues - Cloudland Ballroom, Brisbane. www.milesago.com.