Sails of Silver now sported the same line-up that had brought it to the height of its success, "Sails of Silver" has often been seen as embodying a different spirit from their classic albums of the 1970s. Prior to "Sails of Silver", the band had always performed songs written by other people, predominantly traditional songs, but also a few 20th century pieces, such as the two Brecht songs on "Storm Force Ten". But on this album they included several songs they had written themselves, including "Let Her Go Down" and "Senior Service". This was the beginning of a trend that continues down to
Red Sails in the Sunset (album) 10th birthday, which was simulcast on ABC Television and subsequently re-broadcast on their then-Tuesday night music program "Rock Arena". In 2004 the film footage later became part of a DVD album, "Best of Both Worlds". "Red Sails in the Sunset" contains the only Midnight Oil tracks with lead vocals provided by their drummer Rob Hirst, "When the Generals Talk" and "Kosciusko". The album spawned two singles, "When the Generals Talk" and "Best of Both Worlds" but neither appeared on the Australian singles chart. Midnight Oil released "Red Sails in the Sunset" in October 1984. It was recorded in June to