US Forces (song)
Encyclopedia
"US Forces" is the third single released by Australian rock band, Midnight Oil
, from their fourth studio album, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
.
The song denounces the United States Armed Forces
' involvement in foreign affairs. The song has been used many times to demonstrate the view of Peter Garrett selling-out, as the Australian Labor Party
, and therefore he now support the AUS Army being allies of US Forces, and supporting the war in Afghanistan
.
In 1983, for the "US Forces Live" video, Peter Garrett
, the lead singer, said about US Forces
"Midnight Oil are here today because we're concerned about the issue of nuclear disarmament. And I think when we're in Europe, we realised how close people were to becoming to understand that if the Russians or the Americans decided that they were actually going to set something off,they would be faced with the possibility that they may have nuclear warheads detonated in their backyard, or in their laundry. And so we became aware of the nuclear thing, and when we got back here we started to think about it, and get concerned about it. People in Australia are unaware that nuclear devices have been detonated here at Maralinga in the early fifties, and they're unaware of the facilities that the Americans have put here which are used in their defence network, and their attack network. And the Oils, we want to keep on making music, and we want people to keep on enjoying it, so consequently we think its very important to come and play and to dance and to learn and thats why we're here."
, the Greatest Hits compilation by Midnight Oil.
show, the Chaser's War On Everything
, made a parody of "US Forces", named "US Bases", about Peter Garrett's alleged selling-out. "US Bases" is set to the tune of "US Forces". It was featured in Episode 17, Season Two.
The song features Andrew Hansen
as Peter Garrett.
Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil , were an Australian rock band from Sydney originally performing as Farm from 1972 with drummer Rob Hirst, bass guitarist Andrew James and keyboard player/lead guitarist Jim Moginie...
, from their fourth studio album, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 is an album by Midnight Oil that was released on vinyl in 1982 under the Columbia Records label. The lengthy name is often pronounced "ten-to-one" or "ten-nine-eight" by fans. It peaked at No. 3 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart and remained on the...
.
The song denounces the United States Armed Forces
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
' involvement in foreign affairs. The song has been used many times to demonstrate the view of Peter Garrett selling-out, as the Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
, and therefore he now support the AUS Army being allies of US Forces, and supporting the war in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
In 1983, for the "US Forces Live" video, Peter Garrett
Peter Garrett
Peter Robert Garrett, AM, MP , is an Australian musician, environmentalist, activist and politician.Garrett was lead singer of the Australian rock band Midnight Oil from 1973 until its disbanding in 2002...
, the lead singer, said about US Forces
"Midnight Oil are here today because we're concerned about the issue of nuclear disarmament. And I think when we're in Europe, we realised how close people were to becoming to understand that if the Russians or the Americans decided that they were actually going to set something off,they would be faced with the possibility that they may have nuclear warheads detonated in their backyard, or in their laundry. And so we became aware of the nuclear thing, and when we got back here we started to think about it, and get concerned about it. People in Australia are unaware that nuclear devices have been detonated here at Maralinga in the early fifties, and they're unaware of the facilities that the Americans have put here which are used in their defence network, and their attack network. And the Oils, we want to keep on making music, and we want people to keep on enjoying it, so consequently we think its very important to come and play and to dance and to learn and thats why we're here."
Track listing
- "US Forces" (Moginie, Hirst, Garrett, Rotsey, Gifford) - 3:50
- "Outside World" (Instrumental) (Moginie, Hirst, Garrett, Rotsey, Gifford) - 4:32
Compilations
US Forces is added onto 20,000 Watt R.S.L.20,000 Watt R.S.L.
20,000 Watt R.S.L. is a compilation album by Australian rock band Midnight Oil released in October 1997 on their own label Sprint Music. The word "Collection" appears on the front of the CD along the hinge in the same type face as the title and the name of the band and may have been intended as...
, the Greatest Hits compilation by Midnight Oil.
"20,000 Watt R.S.L." was released in 1997.
Chaser parody
The Australian satireSatire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
show, the Chaser's War On Everything
The Chaser's War on Everything
The Chaser's War on Everything is an Australian television satirical comedy series broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation television station ABC1. It has won an AFI Award. The cast perform sketches mocking social and political issues, and often feature comedic publicity stunts...
, made a parody of "US Forces", named "US Bases", about Peter Garrett's alleged selling-out. "US Bases" is set to the tune of "US Forces". It was featured in Episode 17, Season Two.
The song features Andrew Hansen
Andrew Hansen
Andrew John Hansen is an Australian comedian and musician, best known for being a member of satirical team The Chaser...
as Peter Garrett.