View source for Blue Sky Mining

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name         = Blue Sky Mining
| type         = studio
| artist       = [[Midnight Oil]]
| cover        = MidnightOil_BlueSkyMining.jpg
| alt          = 
| released     = 9 February 1990
| recorded     = June−September 1989
| venue        = 
| studio       = Rhinoceros (Sydney, Australia)
| genre        = [[Alternative rock]]
| length       = 46:52
| label        = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| producer     = [[Warne Livesey]] & [[Midnight Oil]]
| prev_title   = [[Diesel and Dust]]
| prev_year    = 1987
| next_title   = [[The Green Disc]]
| next_year    = 1990
| misc         = {{Singles
 | name        = Blue Sky Mining
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = [[Blue Sky Mine]]
 | single1date = 29 January 1990<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Release Summary: Singles|magazine=[[The ARIA Report]]|issue=3|page=20|date=28 January 1990}}</ref>
 | single2     = [[Forgotten Years]]" / "Shakers and Movers
 | single2date = 16 April 1990<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Release Summary: Singles|magazine=The ARIA Report|issue=14|page=18|date=15 April 1990}}</ref>
 | single3     = [[King of the Mountain (Midnight Oil song)|King of the Mountain]]
 | single3date = 23 July 1990<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Release Summary: Singles|magazine=The ARIA Report|issue=28|page=19|date=22 July 1990}}</ref>
 | single4     = Bedlam Bridge
 | single4date = 22 October 1990<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Release Summary: Singles|magazine=The ARIA Report|issue=41|page=19|date=21 October 1990}}</ref>
 | single5     = One Country
 | single5date = 1 April 1991<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Release Summary – Product Available from: 01/04/91: Singles|magazine=The ARIA Report|issue=62|page=20|date=31 March 1991}}</ref>
}}
}}

'''''Blue Sky Mining''''' is the seventh [[studio album]] by Australian [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Midnight Oil]], released on 9 February 1990 under the [[Columbia Records]] label.<ref name="ARDb">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927020538/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/m/midnightoil.html |url=http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/m/midnightoil.html |title=Midnight Oil |last1=Holmgren |first1=Magnus |last2=Stenerlöv |first2=Carl-Johan |publisher=[[Australian Rock Database]]. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren) |archive-date=27 September 2012 |url-status=usurped |access-date=12 February 2014 }}</ref> This was the band's first studio album with bassist and backing vocalist [[Bones Hillman]], who would remain in the group until his death in 2020. It peaked at number&nbsp;one on the [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]] albums chart.<ref name="AusCharts">{{cite web |title=Midnight Oil discography |url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Midnight+Oil |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029102343/http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Midnight+Oil |archive-date=29 October 2010 |access-date=20 October 2008 |publisher=Australian Charts Portal}}</ref> It stayed at number&nbsp;one for two weeks in Australia and had Top&nbsp;5 chart success in [[Sweden]], [[Switzerland]] and [[Norway]].<ref name="BlueSkyA">{{cite web |title=''Blue Sky Mining'' album charting |url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?key=1005&cat=a |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101223316/http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?key=1005&cat=a |archive-date=1 January 2013 |access-date=23 October 2008 |publisher=Australian Charts Portal}}</ref> It peaked at number&nbsp;20 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name="BillA">{{cite web |title=Midnight Oil – Charts & Awards – ''Billboard'' Albums |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4911|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=21 October 2008 |website=allmusic}}</ref> and number&nbsp;28 on the UK charts.<ref name="UKCharts">{{cite web |title=The Official Charts Company Midnight Oil |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/ |access-date=22 October 2008 |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]}}</ref> A limited release of the album featured a clear, blue [[Gramophone record|vinyl]]. 

==Background==
''Blue Sky Mining'' retains the [[alternative rock]] sound and [[Warne Livesey]] production of the band's previous album, [[Diesel and Dust|''Diesel and Dust'']], but is "more defiant and outspoken."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gerard |first=Chris |date=April 4, 2014 |title=50 Best Alternative Albums of the '90s |url=https://www.metroweekly.com/2014/04/50-best-alternative-albums-of-the-90s/ |access-date=November 10, 2025 |website=[[Metro Weekly]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The single "[[Blue Sky Mine]]" describes asbestos exposure in the [[CSR Limited#Wittenoom asbestos mine|Wittenoom mine tragedy]].<ref name="McF">{{Cite book |title=[[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] |last=McFarlane |first=Ian |author-link=Ian McFarlane |publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]] |year=1999 |chapter=Encyclopedia entry for 'Midnight Oil' |chapter-url=http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=487 |isbn=1-86448-768-2 |access-date=20 October 2008 |archive-date=13 August 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040813100940/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=487 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> The lead single peaked at number&nbsp;eight on the ARIA singles charts,<ref name="AusCharts2">{{cite web |title=Midnight Oil discography |url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Midnight+Oil |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029102343/http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Midnight+Oil |archive-date=29 October 2010 |access-date=20 October 2008 |publisher=Australian Charts Portal}}</ref> top&nbsp;15 in Norway and Switzerland,<ref name="BlueSkyS2">{{cite web |title="Blue Sky Mine" single charting |url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Midnight+Oil&titel=Blue+Sky+Mine&cat=s |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127014517/http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Midnight+Oil&titel=Blue+Sky+Mine&cat=s |archive-date=27 November 2014 |access-date=23 October 2008 |publisher=Australian Charts Portal}}</ref> number&nbsp;47 on [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and number&nbsp;one on both their Mainstream and Modern Rock Tracks charts,<ref name="BillS2">{{cite web |title=Midnight Oil – Charts & Awards – ''Billboard'' Albums |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4911|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=22 October 2008 |website=allmusic}}</ref> and appeared on the UK charts.<ref name="UKCharts2">{{cite web |title=The Official Charts Company Midnight Oil |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/ |access-date=22 October 2008 |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]}}</ref> The second single, "Forgotten Years", was more moderately successful, reaching number&nbsp;26 on the ARIA singles chart, number&nbsp;97 in the UK, number&nbsp;11 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks, and number&nbsp;one on the Modern Rock Tracks.

Hirst later said, "Warne's whole thing was to get as close to aural perfection as you possibly could, or as close as we were ever going to get- and Rhino the sort of place to do it. It was indulgent, excessive, and it was the kind of luxury that's afforded to bands with a hit album, which we had." Moginie added, "I didn't realise that we were making a commercial record and we certainty never set out to. We ended up going for good songs and lots of acoustic guitars, and it worked."<ref>{{cite magazine |date=Winter 1998 |title=A Studio Tour |magazine=Australian Musician |page=15 |issue=14}}</ref>

== Reception ==
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/blue-sky-mining-mw0000654610 |title=''Blue Sky Mining'' – Midnight Oil |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=2 October 2015 |last=Demalon |first=Tom}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]''
| rev2score = {{Rating|4|4}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3985373.html |title=With its brilliant 'Blue Sky,' Midnight Oil gambles and wins |newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=19 February 1990 |access-date=20 January 2018 |last=McLeese |first=Don |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121000007/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3985373.html |archive-date=21 January 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[New York Daily News|Daily News]]''
| rev3score = {{Rating|3|4}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Midnight Oil Burns On |newspaper=[[New York Daily News|Daily News]] |date=25 February 1990 |last=Hinckley |first=David}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev4score = B<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/1990/02/23/blue-sky-mining/ |title=''Blue Sky Mining'' |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=23 February 1990 |access-date=20 January 2018 |last=Sandow |first=Greg |author-link=Greg Sandow}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
| rev5score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-25-ca-1881-story.html |title=Midnight Oil 'Blue Sky Mining' Columbia |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=25 February 1990 |access-date=20 January 2018 |last=Willman |first=Chris}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[NME]]''
| rev6score = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Diggers with Attitude |magazine=[[NME]] |date=3 March 1990 |last=Collins |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Collins (broadcaster) |page=34}}</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]''
| rev7score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1990/03/16/midnight-oil-6/ |title=Midnight Oil |newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |date=16 March 1990 |access-date=2 July 2023 |last=Gettelman |first=Parry}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev8score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Midnight Oil: ''Blue Sky Mining'' |magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]] |issue=42 |date=March 1990 |last=Sutcliffe |first=Phil}}</ref>
| rev9 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev9score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/midnightoil/albums/album/180354/review/5946494/blue_sky_mining |title=Midnight Oil: ''Blue Sky Mining'' |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=22 February 1990 |access-date=20 January 2018 |last=Fricke |first=David |author-link=David Fricke |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121164028/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/midnightoil/albums/album/180354/review/5946494/blue_sky_mining |archive-date=21 November 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev10 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev10score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Midnight Oil |last=Fricke |first=David |author-link=David Fricke |title=The New Rolling Stone Album Guide |title-link=The Rolling Stone Album Guide |editor1-last=Brackett |editor1-first=Nathan |editor1-link=Nathan Brackett |editor2-last=Hoard |editor2-first=Christian |editor2-link=Christian Hoard |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |edition=4th |year=2004 |isbn=0-7432-0169-8 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/540 540–541]}}</ref>
}}

At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 1991]], Midnight Oil won 'Best Group' and an 'Outstanding Achievement Award', and  were awarded 'Best Cover Art', 'Best Video' and 'Album of the Year' for ''Blue Sky Mining''.<ref name=arialist>{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-artist.php?letter=M&artist=Midnight%20Oil |title=ARIA Awards 2008: History: Winners by Artist search result for Midnight Oil |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) |access-date=25 August 2008 }}{{dead link|date=December 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name=aria1991>{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1991 |title=ARIA Awards 2008: History: Winners by Year search result for 1991 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) |access-date=24 October 2008 }}</ref> Manager Gary Morris, accepting awards for Midnight Oil, was criticised for a speech lasting 20 minutes.<ref name=aria1991/><ref name="Jeff">{{Cite book |title=Molly Meldrum presents 50 years of rock in Australia |last=Jenkins |first=Jeff |author2=Ian Meldrum |year=2007 |publisher=Wilkinson Publishing |location=Melbourne |pages=21, 82, 237–241 |isbn=978-1-921332-11-1 }}</ref>

==Track listing==
{{Track listing
| headline       = Side one
| title1         = [[Blue Sky Mine]]
| writer1        = Garrett, Hillman, Hirst, Moginie, Rotsey
| length1        = 4:18

| title2         = Stars of Warburton
| writer2        = Garrett, Moginie
| length2        = 4:43

| title3         = Bedlam Bridge
| writer3        = Hirst
| length3        = 4:25

| title4         = [[Forgotten Years]]
| writer4        = Hirst, Moginie
| length4        = 4:21

| title5         = Mountains of Burma
| writer5        = Hirst
| length5        = 4:50
}}
{{Track listing
| headline      = Side two
| title6        = [[King of the Mountain (Midnight Oil song)|King of the Mountain]]
| writer6       = Hirst, Moginie
| length6       = 3:58
| title7        = River Runs Red
| writer7       = Hirst, Moginie
| length7       = 5:28
| title8        = Shakers and Movers
| writer8       = Garrett, Moginie
| length8       = 4:32
| title9        = One Country
| writer9       = Garrett, Moginie
| length9       = 5:56
| title10       = Antarctica
| writer10      = Garrett, Hirst, Moginie, Rotsey
| length10      = 4:22
}}

{{Track listing
| headline      = Bonus track on some pressings
| title11       = You May Not Be Released**
| writer11      = Moginie
| length11      = 3:38
}}

** Some early Australian copies included the track "You May Not Be Released" - it was the B-side to a 12-inch issue of "Forgotten Years," and it is believed that this only appeared on the first 1,000 LP copies.  It also appeared on early cassette copies<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deadheart.org.uk/news_and_info/faq/album_faq/blue_sky_mining.htm |title=Album FAQ - Blue Sky Mining |access-date=2007-03-25 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206232756/http://www.deadheart.org.uk/news_and_info/faq/album_faq/blue_sky_mining.htm |archive-date=2012-02-06}}</ref><ref>Personal memory.  I went to the record store on release day and bought a cassette copy which included this "bonus rough mix track"</ref> and CDs.<ref>Physical CD media from 1990 release</ref>

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (1990–1991)
! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|1|artist=Midnight Oil|album=Blue Sky Mining|rowheader=true|access-date=30 November 2018}}
|-
{{album chart|Austria|13|artist=Midnight Oil|album=Blue Sky Mining|rowheader=true|access-date=30 November 2018}}
|-
{{Album chart|Canada|6|artist=Midnight Oil|album=Blue Sky Mining|chartid=9030|access-date=1 December 2021|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany|2|id=1005|artist=Midnight Oil|album=Blue Sky Mining|rowheader=true|access-date=30 November 2018}}
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|27|artist=Midnight Oil|album=Blue Sky Mining|rowheader=true|access-date=30 November 2018}}
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Midnight Oil|album=Blue Sky Mining|rowheader=true|access-date=30 November 2018}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|2|artist=Midnight Oil|album=Blue Sky Mining|rowheader=true|access-date=30 November 2018}}
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|3|artist=Midnight Oil|album=Blue Sky Mining|rowheader=true|access-date=30 November 2018}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|2|artist=Midnight Oil|album=Blue Sky Mining|rowheader=true|access-date=30 November 2018}}
|-
{{album chart|UK|28|artist=Midnight Oil|rowheader=true|access-date=12 March 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|20|artist=Midnight Oil|rowheader=true|access-date=12 March 2021}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (1990)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-50albums-1990.htm |title=ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums1990 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |access-date=31 December 2014}}</ref>
| 3
|-
! scope="row"| Canadian Albums (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9145&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.9145.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9145|title=Top 100 Albums of 1990|language=en|publisher=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref>
| 28
|-
! scope="row"| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1990|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|language=de|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment]]|access-date=12 March 2021}}</ref>
| 19
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/1990-12-31|title=Top Selling Albums of 1990|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=15 February 2022}}</ref>
| 8
|-
! scope="row"| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1990/alben|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1990|website=hitparade.ch|access-date=12 March 2021}}</ref>
| 12
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1990/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1990|work=Billboard|access-date=12 March 2021}}</ref>
| 67
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Australia|artist=Midnight Oil|title=Blue Sky Mining|award=Platinum|number=5|certyear=2014|refname="Album Certification"|access-date=31 December 2014}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Canada|artist=Midnight Oil|title=Blue Sky Mining|award=Platinum|certyear=1990|relyear=1990|access-date=July 22, 2022}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=France|artist=Midnight Oil|title=Blue Sky Mining|award=Platinum|source=infodisc|certyear=1990|relyear=1990|access-date=July 22, 2022}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Germany|artist=Midnight Oil|title=Blue Sky Mining|award=Gold|certyear=1990|relyear=1990|access-date=July 22, 2022}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=New Zealand|artist=Midnight Oil|title=Blue Sky Mining|award=Platinum|certyear=1991|id=1991-06-07|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|relyear=1990}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Sweden|artist=Midnight Oil|title=Blue Sky Mining|award=Gold|certyear=1990|relyear=1990|access-date=July 22, 2022}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Switzerland|artist=Midnight Oil|title=Blue Sky Mining|award=Platinum|certyear=1990|relyear=1990|access-date=2 May 2022}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United States|artist=Midnight Oil|title=Blue Sky Mining|award=Gold|certyear=1990|relyear=1990|access-date=July 22, 2022}}
{{certification Table Bottom}}

==Personnel==
'''Midnight Oil'''
* [[Peter Garrett]] - lead vocals, harmonica 
* [[Bones Hillman]] - bass, vocals
* [[Rob Hirst|Robert Hirst]] - drums, vocals
* [[Jim Moginie]] - guitars, keyboards, vocals
* [[Martin Rotsey]] - guitars

'''Additional personnel'''
* [[Warne Livesey]] - additional keyboards
* [[Jeremy Smith (Australian musician)|Jeremy Smith]] - French horn
* Phillip Hartl - String Leader
* Glad and Carl - Horn Swells

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.midnightoil.com Midnight Oil]

{{Midnight Oil}}
{{ARIA Award for Album of the Year 1990s}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1990 albums]]
[[Category:Midnight Oil albums]]
[[Category:Columbia Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Warne Livesey]]
[[Category:ARIA Award–winning albums]]
[[Category:Alternative rock albums by Australian artists]]