Truganini (song)

"Truganini" is a song by Australian rock band Midnight Oil from their eighth studio album, Earth and Sun and Moon (1993). It was inspired by Truganini, a Tasmanian Aborigine. The song uses a recurring Australian issue—drought—to pose the question "what for?", meaning "why did Europeans bother to colonise this harsh place?" The song mentions two prominent indigenous Australians (Truganini and Albert Namatjira) whose lives were altered by European settlement and discusses current day sentiment towards the old country, namely the monarchy.

"Truganini"
Single by Midnight Oil
from the album Earth and Sun and Moon
ReleasedMarch 1993
Length4:20
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)R. Hirst, J. Moginie, P. Garrett, M. Rotsey, W. Stevens
Producer(s)Nick Launay, Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil singles chronology
"Beds Are Burning"
(1992)		 "Truganini"
(1993)		 "My Country"
(1993)

"Truganini" was a chart success in several countries when released in March 1993, peaking at number four in New Zealand, number 10 in Australia, number 11 in Canada and number 29 in the United Kingdom. In the United States, it peaked at number four on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 10 on the Album Rock Tracks chart. The single's liner notes included the claim that Truganini was the "sole surviving Tasmanian Aborigine" when she died. This sparked protest by some of the 7,000 people who identify as Tasmanian Aboriginal.[1] Lead singer Peter Garrett issued an apology.

Live performances

The band performed the song live for American audiences as the musical guest on the American television show Saturday Night Live on 8 May 1993, when Christina Applegate served as host.

Track listings
CD single
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Truganini"R. Hirst, J. Moginie, P. Garrett, M. Rotsey, W. Stevens[2]4:20
2."Bushfire"R. Hirst, J. Moginie, P. Garrett, M. Rotsey, W. Stevens[3]4:40
Total length:9:00
12-inch single
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Truganini"R. Hirst, J. Moginie, P. Garrett, M. Rotsey, W. Stevens[2]4:20
2."Bushfire"R. Hirst, J. Moginie, P. Garrett, M. Rotsey, Stevens[3]4:40
3."Beds are Burning" (live – Our Common Future Concert, Darlinghurst, 1989)R. Hirst, J. Moginie, P. Garrett, M. Rotsey, P. Gifford[4]4:05
4."Only the Strong" (live – Capitol Theatre, Sydney, 1982)R. Hirst, J. Moginie, P. Garrett, M. Rotsey, P. Gifford[5]5:42
Total length:18:47

Charts

References
  1. Vellutini, Laetitia (2003). "Finding a Voice on Indigenous Issues: Midnight Oil's Inappropriate Appropriations". Journal of Australian Studies. 27 (79): 127–133. doi:10.1080/14443050309387893.
  2. "'Truganini' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  3. "'Bushfire' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  4. "'Beds Are Burning' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  5. "'Only The Strong' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  6. "Australian-charts.com – Midnight Oil – Truganini". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  7. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0986." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  8. "Charts.nz – Midnight Oil – Truganini". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  9. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  10. "Midnight Oil Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  11. "Midnight Oil Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  12. "The RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1993". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  13. "End of Year Charts 1993". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
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