Few songs light the blue touch paper quite like “Beds Are Burning.” Midnight Oil’s signature work from 1987 was also a political weapon, a history lesson, and an apology to Aboriginal communities who were forcibly removed from their lands.
“Beds are Burning” earned a Grammy nomination (for best rock performance by a duo or group with vocal), it came in at No. 3 on a poll of the greatest Australian songs of all time, conducted by APRA. And its parent Diesel & Dust is recognized as one of the great Australian albums.
On Stephen Colbert’s A Late Show, Beninese singer-songwriter, activist and four-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo delivered a passionate, reimagined cover of the song.
The artist has a strong connection with the land Down Under having made the long haul to perform at 2019 WOMADelaide, where she shared a stage with the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir and other top world music talent.
Watch Kidjo’s performance of “Beds are Burning” below.
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