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.
American Tune
Indigo Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It since at least 1985. A live version of it appears on the
(promo-only) "Reverse 1" CD, and another on the (commercially
Available, but kinda hard to find) "Ben and Jerry's Newport Folk
Festival '90" CD.
Many is the time I've been mistaken
And many times confused
Yes, and I've often felt forsaken
Oh, but I'm all right, I'm all right
I'm just weary to my bones
Still, you don't expect to be bright and bon vivant
So far away from home - so far away from home.
I don't know a soul who's not been battered
I don't have a friend who feels at ease
I don't know a dream that's not been shattered
Or driven to it's knees
Oh, but it's all right, it's all right
We've lived so well, so long
Still, when I think of the road we're travelling on
I wonder what's gone wrong
I can't help it, I wonder what's gone wrong.
And I dreamed I was dying
Dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly
And I dreamed I was flying
And high up above, my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty sailing away to sea
And I dreamed I was dying.
Oh, we come on a ship they called the Mayflower
We come on a ship that sailed the moon
We come in the age's most uncertain hour
And sing an American tune
Oh, oh, but it's all right - it's all right, it's all right
You can't be forever blessed
Still, tomorrow's going to be another working day
And I'm trying to get some rest
That's all I'm trying - to get some rest
"American Tune" is a song that speaks to the struggles and disillusionment that are common to the American experience. Paul Simon wrote the song during a time of political turmoil in the United States in the early 1970s. The lyrics talk about feeling confused, forsaken, and misused, and wondering what has gone wrong on the road that the country is travelling. The song acknowledges the hardships and failures that people experience, but also speaks to the resilience and determination of the American spirit.
The lyrics also include references to the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom and hope for immigrants coming to America, as well as to the Mayflower and the 1969 moon landing, two pivotal moments in American history. The song acknowledges the uncertainty of the times, but also suggests that there is reason to hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Many is the time I've been mistaken
I've made many mistakes in my life
And many times confused
I've been confused often as well
Yes, and I've often felt forsaken
I've felt abandoned many times
And certainly misused.
I've been mistreated too
Oh, but I'm all right, I'm all right
Despite everything, I'm okay
I'm just weary to my bones
I'm just really tired
Still, you don't expect to be bright and bon vivant
You can't always be cheerful and carefree
So far away from home - so far away from home.
Especially when you're far from home
I don't know a soul who's not been battered
Everyone I know has been through tough times
I don't have a friend who feels at ease
None of my friends are completely comfortable
I don't know a dream that's not been shattered
I don't know anyone whose dreams haven't been broken
Or driven to its knees
Or anyone whose hopes haven't been crushed
Oh, but it's all right, it's all right
Despite this, it's still okay
We've lived so well, so long
We've had a lot of good times
Still, when I think of the road we're travelling on
But the future is uncertain
I wonder what's gone wrong
And I'm not sure what to do
I can't help it, I wonder what's gone wrong.
I just can't stop thinking about it
And I dreamed I was dying
I had a dream that I died
Dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
But my soul rose and surprised me
And looking back down at me
And I looked back down at my body
Smiled reassuringly
And I felt comforted
And I dreamed I was flying
And then I dreamed that I was flying
And high up above, my eyes could clearly see
And from up high, I could see clearly
The Statue of Liberty sailing away to sea
The Statue of Liberty was sailing away into the sea
Oh, we come on a ship they called the Mayflower
Our ancestors came on a ship called the Mayflower
We come on a ship that sailed the moon
And we also came on a ship that traveled to the moon
We come in the age's most uncertain hour
We came during a time of great uncertainty
And sing an American tune
But we still sing an American song
Oh, oh, but it's all right - it's all right, it's all right
But despite everything, it's still okay
You can't be forever blessed
You can't always be lucky
Still, tomorrow's going to be another working day
But tomorrow is another day of work
And I'm trying to get some rest
And I'm just trying to rest
That's all I'm trying - to get some rest
That's all I want right now
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Euphonia Guitars
My thoughts are the same as others have stated. Nothing could be a more apropos reminder of what America is than The Indigo Girls absolutely amplifying Simon’s lyrics 24 years into the future; into today. They understood the song as well as anyone. Absolutely perfect. This is why music exists. ❤️
Daniel Cropp
that was an amazing version of "American Tune"! huge props to the Indigo Girls.
TheGlow1012
Gives me chills each time. Thank you.
Mark Charts
Simply beautiful. I too wonder what's gone wrong. Be strong y'all. Heart & mind.
Anna Kovacs
Wow how young they are and pure and beautiful harmony. This is when I was introduced to them in highschool :)
BOY HAKSONO
Beautiful. Strong. Since i heard this i become indigo girls fans.
trfesok
This was the concluding song from a show I saw them at in 1989. Became a fan right away! Thanks for the upload!
David Hinkes
HEARTBREAKING harmonies,, and these Simon lyrics could have been written an hour ago, given our current national scenarios. :(
Andrea Richmond
Thank You for soothing my spirit.
Ettore Menguzzo
This is great. Bach-ish rendition.