Peter Garrett of the band Midnight Oil performs on stage during the Sound Relief concert at Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 14, 2009 in Melbourne. (Lucas Dawson/Getty Images)
A revamped and slower version of Midnight Oils' 1987 rock anthem Beds are Burning has been recorded to highlight the United Nations climate change talks in Copenhagen in December.
Saying it took "a couple of listens" for the rendition to grow on him, Mr Garrett told reporters in Fremantle on Friday that he had relished the chance to "gift" the song for the cause.
"I think it's fantastic that the musicians and people like ... (Nobel Peace Prize-winner) Desmond Tutu wanted to work with an Oils song," Mr Garrett gushed.
"We gave them the opportunity to have some different lyrics which are really relevant to this particular campaign the song is attached to.
"A couple of listens and it starts to grow on you.
"I think they've done a good job."
Mr Annan and Mr Tutu are among 60 international musicians and celebrities who appear in a video performance of the song. Others include Lily Allen, Bob Geldof, French actress Marion Cotillard, Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran and Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas.
Mr Garrett said music was an important tool in getting a message across to millions of people around the world, and he hoped the song would help increase awareness of climate change.
"I think music has a role to play, as do politicians, as does the community, so it will be part of the mix and I hope it will be a good part," he said.
"We won't be receiving any income from this and neither should we.
"We're absolutely delighted to be able to gift the song, and I think that the campaign will provide an opportunity for other organisations who work in that field."
