Redneck Wonderland is the tenth studio album by Midnight Oil that was released in July 1998 under the Columbia Records label, which peaked at No.7 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[3] The title of the album was inspired by a wall graffiti, a picture of which can be seen in the promotionalOil Rag Vol. VI issued along with album release.
The album was certified Gold in Australia in 2014.[4] The album's eponymous song was ranked number 93 in Triple M's "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time.[5] The album marked a shift to an electronic influenced hard rock style.
Track listing
Redneck Wonderland track listing
No.
Title
Writer(s)
Length
1.
"Redneck Wonderland"
Hirst, Moginie
3:08
2.
"Concrete"
Garrett, Hirst, Moginie
4:12
3.
"Cemetery in My Mind"
Garrett, Hirst, Moginie
3:57
4.
"Comfortable Place on the Couch"
Hirst, Moginie
4:08
5.
"Safety Chain Blues"
Garrett, Moginie
4:21
6.
"Return to Sender"
Moginie
3:31
7.
"Blot"
Garrett, Hirst, Moginie
3:24
8.
"The Great Gibber Plain"
Hirst, Moginie
4:38
9.
"Seeing Is Believing"
Garrett, Hirst, Moginie
4:28
10.
"White Skin Black Heart"
Garrett, Hirst, Moginie
4:01
11.
"What Goes On"
Hirst, Moginie
3:00
12.
"Drop in the Ocean"
Moginie
4:13
Writing credits sourced from APRA WebWorks search engine, November 2009.[6]
Song notes
"Concrete" originally performed as "Free My Soul;" known to be played on 20,000 Watt R.S.L. tour.[7]
"Cemetery in My Mind" known to be played on 20,000 Watt R.S.L. tour.
"Comfortable Place on the Couch" originally performed as "Haulaway;" known to be played on 20,000 Watt R.S.L. tour.[7]
"Safety Chain Blues" originally performed as "Warm Babies;" known to be played on 20,000 Watt R.S.L. tour.[7]
"Return to Sender", "The Great Gibber Plain" and "Drop in the Ocean" may not have been performed live.
"White Skin Black Heart" & "What Goes On" both first released on 20,000 Watt R.S.L.; known to be played on 20,000 Watt R.S.L. tour.
The tour
The tour is noted for the use of a wheel featuring the titles of 64 Midnight Oil tracks. Most tracks from Redneck Wonderland were not played after the tour ended; the title track was generally the only song played, often as the opening track to shows on the Capricornia tour. The track was later placed elsewhere in the set list; "Concrete" and "Comfortable Place on the Couch" occasionally reappeared.