Their first release in 1985 was a seven-inch single named "Crazy Game", with the B-side "Everybody's Waiting (for Someone to Come Home)". That same year, the Indigo Girls released a six-track Extended play album named "Indigo Girls", and in 1987 released their first full-length album, Strange Fire, recorded at John Keane Studio in Athens, Georgia, and including "Crazy Game". With this release, they secured the services of Russell Carter, who remains their manager to the present; they had first approached him when the EP album was released, but he told them their songs were "immature" and they were not likely to get a record deal.
They were signed to Epic Records in 1989 and won the Grammy for best contemporary folk album later that year (for their self titled release) Some of their hit songs include "Galileo," "Closer to Fine," and "Shame on You."
Aside from being musicians, Ray and Saliers are activists, constantly supporting causes like gun control, women's rights, Native American rights, environmental protection, the abolition of the death penalty, and as lesbians themselves, LGBT rights. They constantly devote their time and money to such causes, often playing benefit concerts.
Ray and Saliers both have side projects. Ray owns and founded Daemon Records, an independent label based in Decatur. She also has a career as a solo artist, and has released two albums thus far. Saliers is the part owner of Watershed, a restaurant and wine bar in Decatur.
Together, the Indigo Girls are constantly touring. Their new album, Poseidon and the Bitter Bug, was released March 24, 2009.
Closer to Fine
Indigo Girls Lyrics
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Maybe give me insight between black and white
And the best thing you've ever done for me
Is to help me take my life less seriously
It's only life after all, yeah
Well darkness has a hunger that's insatiable
And lightness has a call that's hard to hear
I wrap my fear around me like a blanket
I sailed my ship of safety 'til I sank it
I'm crawling on your shores
And I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
There's more than one answer to these questions
Pointing me in a crooked line
And the less I seek my source for some definitive
The closer I am to fine, yeah
The closer I am to fine, yeah
And I went to see the doctor of philosophy
With a poster of Rasputin and a beard down to his knee
He never did marry or see a B-Grade movie
He graded my performance, he said he could see through me
I spent four years prostrate to the higher mind
Got my paper and I was free
I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
There's more than one answer to these questions
Pointing me in a crooked line
And the less I seek my source for some definitive
The closer I am to fine, yeah
The closer I am to fine, yeah
I stopped by the bar at three A.M.
To seek solace in a bottle, or possibly a friend
And I woke up with a headache like my head against a board
Twice as cloudy as I'd been the night before
And I went in seeking clarity
I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
We go to the doctor, we go to the mountains
We look to the children, we drink from the fountain
Yeah, we go to the Bible, we go through the work out
We read up on revival, we stand up for the lookout
There's more than one answer to these questions
Pointing me in a crooked line
And the less I seek my source for some definitive
The closer I am to fine
The closer I am to fine
The closer I am to fine, yeah
The Indigo Girls song "Closer To Fine" is about the search for meaning and understanding in life, and the realization that there may not be a single answer or definitive source of truth. The song's narrator has tried various avenues for self-discovery, including going to the doctor, going to the mountains, looking to children for inspiration, and seeking solace in a bottle or a friend. Despite all these efforts, the singer shares that they have come to the realization that life is not always clear-cut and that the search for answers can be a winding path.
The lyrics express the idea that life is full of contradictions and dichotomies, as seen in lines like "Maybe give me insight between black and white" and "Well darkness has a hunger that's insatiable / And lightness has a call that's hard to hear." The singer has previously clung to a sense of safety, but has since realized that this approach is not always fruitful. Instead, they have learned to take life less seriously and seek out various forms of wisdom without expecting a concrete solution.
Overall, "Closer To Fine" is an expression of the human condition and the search for understanding and fulfillment. It encourages listeners to embrace the journey of self-discovery and realize that there is no one right answer.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm tryin' to tell you somethin' 'bout my life
I want to share with you some insights about my life.
Maybe give me insight between black and white
Perhaps you can provide me with a better understanding of the grey areas in life.
And the best thing you've ever done for me
The greatest gift you have given me is helping me to not take life too seriously.
Is to help me take my life less seriously
You have helped me to not stress over the small things and enjoy life more fully.
It's only life after all, yeah
At the end of the day, life is just life and we shouldn't let our worries consume us.
Well darkness has a hunger that's insatiable
The negative aspects of life can feel all-consuming and never satiated.
And lightness has a call that's hard to hear
Finding joy and positivity can be difficult amidst life's many struggles and challenges.
I wrap my fear around me like a blanket
I tend to hold onto my fears and insecurities as if they provide me with some level of comfort.
I sailed my ship of safety 'til I sank it
I played it too safe and ultimately let myself down by not taking more risks and opportunities for growth.
I'm crawling on your shores
I am seeking help and guidance from someone I trust.
And I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I tried various methods and sought out different perspectives to try and find the answers I was looking for.
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
I found inspiration and clarity from the innocence of children and the natural world.
There's more than one answer to these questions
Life is complex and there are many different solutions to the problems we face.
Pointing me in a crooked line
The path to finding those answers is not always straightforward and can be filled with twists and turns.
And the less I seek my source for some definitive
The less I look for one set answer, the closer I come to finding my own unique solutions and sense of peace.
The closer I am to fine, yeah
The more I let go of my worries and embrace the complexities of life, the closer I come to finding contentment and happiness.
I went to see the doctor of philosophy
I consulted an expert in the field of philosophy to try and gain more insight into the nature of life.
With a poster of Rasputin and a beard down to his knee
The doctor I consulted was unconventional and not what I expected.
He never did marry or see a B-Grade movie
He had a unique personality and lifestyle that set him apart from societal norms.
He graded my performance, he said he could see through me
He saw through my facade and evaluated me honestly and objectively.
I spent four years prostrate to the higher mind
I dedicated a significant amount of time and effort to self-reflection and personal growth.
Got my paper and I was free
I achieved a sense of liberation and newfound clarity after all my hard work.
I stopped by the bar at three A.M.
I tried to numb my worries and find comfort in alcohol and socialization.
To seek solace in a bottle, or possibly a friend
I was hoping to find a sense of comfort and relief from my troubles through either alcohol or social support.
And I woke up with a headache like my head against a board
Unfortunately, the coping mechanisms I used only led to more pain and discomfort.
Twice as cloudy as I'd been the night before
My problems only seemed to multiply and worsen the more I tried to escape them.
And I went in seeking clarity
I realized that I needed to seek out healthier and more productive ways of finding a sense of clarity and comfort.
We go to the doctor, we go to the mountains
As humans, we seek out different experiences and viewpoints to try and understand our place in the world.
We look to the children, we drink from the fountain
We find beauty and simplicity in the natural world and often gain new perspectives from the innocence of children.
Yeah, we go to the Bible, we go through the work out
Some people turn to religion or exercise to help them find a sense of purpose or hope.
We read up on revival, we stand up for the lookout
Others are inspired by historical movements or social causes that encourage change and progress.
And the less I seek my source for some definitive
Ultimately, the closer we come to finding contentment and happiness, the less we rely on external sources for answers and meaning.
The closer I am to fine
When we embrace the complexities of life and let go of our worries, we come closer to finding peace and contentment.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Amy Elizabeth Ray, Emily Ann Saliers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind