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 Nuenonne woman from south-east Tasmania.^[1] 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
Released	March 1993
Length	4:20
Label	Columbia Sprint
Songwriter(s)	Rob Hirst Jim Moginie
Producer(s)	Nick Launay Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil singles chronology
"Beds Are Burning" (1992) "Truganini" (1993) "My Country" (1993)
Music video
"Truganini" on YouTube

"Truganini" was a chart success in several countries when released in March 1993 by Columbia and Sprint, 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 Billboard 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.^[2] 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

Australian CD and cassette single, UK cassette single^[3][4]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Truganini"	Rob Hirst, Jim Moginie	4:20
2.	"Bushfire"	Moginie, Peter Garrett	4:40

Australian CD single (12-inch mixes)^[5]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Truganini" (Long Roadtrain mix)	Hirst, Moginie	7:13
2.	"Truganini" (Short Roadtrain mix)	Hirst, Moginie	5:15
3.	"Truganini" (7-inch version)	Hirst, Moginie	4:55
4.	"Bushfire"	Moginie, Garrett	4:36

UK CD1^[6]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Truganini"	Hirst, Moginie	4:25
2.	"Bushfire"	Moginie, Garrett	4:42
3.	"Dreamworld" (live)	Moginie, Garrett, Hirst	3:42
4.	"Hercules" (live)	Moginie, Garrett, Hirst	4:47

UK CD2^[7]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Truganini"	Hirst, Moginie	4:25
2.	"Beds Are Burning" (live)	Hirst, Moginie, Garrett	4:05
3.	"Read About It" (live)	Hirst, Moginie, Garrett	3:53
4.	"Stars of Warburton" (live)	Moginie, Garrett	5:00

UK 12-inch single^[8]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Truganini"	Hirst, Moginie	4:55
2.	"Bushfire"	Moginie, Garrett	4:42
3.	"Beds Are Burning" (live)	Hirst, Moginie, Garrett	4:05
4.	"Only the Strong" (live)	Hirst, Moginie	5:42

US 7-inch single^[9]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Truganini"	Hirst, Moginie	4:56
2.	"Drums of Heaven"	Hirst, Moginie, Garrett	5:35

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1993) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[10] 10 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[11] 11 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[12] 92 Europe (European Hit Radio)[13] 28 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14] 4 UK Singles (OCC)[15] 29 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[16] 4 US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[17] 10

Year-end charts Chart (1993) Position Canada Top Singles (RPM)[18] 92 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[19] 42

References

1. "Truganini's story has always been told as tragedy. She was so much more than that | Paul Daley". The Guardian. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
2. 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. S2CID 143645628.
3. Truganini (Australian CD single liner notes). Midnight Oil. Columbia Records, Sprint Music. 1993. 659049 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
4. Truganini (Australian & UK cassette single sleeve). Midnight Oil. Columbia Records, Sprint Music. 1993. 659049 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
5. Truganini (Australian CD single liner notes). Midnight Oil. Columbia Records, Sprint Music. 1993. 659295 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
6. Truganini (UK CD1 liner notes). Midnight Oil. Columbia Records, Sprint Music. 1993. 659049 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
7. Truganini (UK CD2 liner notes). Midnight Oil. Columbia Records, Sprint Music. 1993. 659049 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
8. Truganini (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Midnight Oil. Columbia Records, Sprint Music. 1993. 659049 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
9. Truganini (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Midnight Oil. Columbia Records, Sprint Music. 1993. 38-74933.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
10. "Midnight Oil – Truganini". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
11. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0986." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
12. "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 18. 1 May 1993. p. 23. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
13. "EHR Top 40" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 20. 15 May 1993. p. 26. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
14. "Midnight Oil – Truganini". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
15. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
16. "Midnight Oil Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
17. "Midnight Oil Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
18. "The RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1993". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
19. "End of Year Charts 1993". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 29 January 2021.

External links

• Video