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.
Beauty Queen Sister
Indigo Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But she always got the broken heart
'Cause she work hard to keep what God gave her
But the devil he's just pulling it apart
Hang on tight, hang on tight now
Mama's got a friend name monkey man
With a two-seater bike and a tattoo stand
He knows I've been losing ground most of my life
Hang on tight, hang on tight now
Daddy prayed so hard that Jesus came down and took him
Left me speaking in tongues and hungry for something
So I fed the family, I changed out the sparks
But every day I gained, another fell apart
Hang on tight now, hey little sister I dig it okay
Looking for the fountain of love where the wild heart reigns
And the knife draws blood and beauty is redeemed
But cherry and Dallas won't ever be the same
Pony watched Johnny die nothing gold can stay
And those street kids and beauty queens
They don't stand a chance so hang on tight monkey man
Says draw your picture give it some ink
Hear the needle whisper for all the broken hearts
And the passing fancies, pull the inside out, when you can
Hang on tight, hang on tight now
The lyrics of the song 'Beauty Queen Sister' by Indigo Girls portray the story of a woman who is always loved for her beauty but ends up with a broken heart. She works hard to keep her beauty and charm, but the devil always succeeds in pulling her apart. The song expresses the pain she encounters in trying to maintain her beauty and dignity in a world that undervalues true beauty. However, despite the pain and challenges, the woman never gives up and encourages others to Hang on tight.
The song also tells the story of a family struggling with loss and change. The father has died, leaving the singer to cope with her loss while handling the responsibilities of feeding the family and changing out the sparks. The family's struggles have made the singer hungry for something that will satisfy her thirst and longing for love. She is looking for a place where her wild heart reigns, and beauty is redeemed. Still, life has taught her that nothing gold can stay, and she must hold on tight to avoid being pulled apart by the devil and life's uncertainties.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody loves the beauty queen sister
Despite having a broken heart, the beauty queen sister is adored by many people.
But she always got the broken heart
The beauty queen sister is constantly heartbroken despite being loved by many.
'Cause she work hard to keep what God gave her
The beauty queen sister puts in effort to maintain what was given to her by God.
But the devil he's just pulling it apart
Unfortunately, the devil is still causing her troubles and ruining what she holds dear.
Hang on tight, hang on tight now
She needs to hold on tight and persevere through tough times.
Mama's got a friend name monkey man
The mother's friend is known as the monkey man.
With a two-seater bike and a tattoo stand
The monkey man owns a two-seater bike and a tattoo stand.
He's gonna take me for that ride
The monkey man will take her for a ride on his bike.
He knows I've been losing ground most of my life
The monkey man is aware that she has struggled throughout her life.
Daddy prayed so hard that Jesus came down and took him
The father prayed fervently and was taken away by Jesus.
Left me speaking in tongues and hungry for something
After the father's passing, she was left feeling spiritually lost and longing for something.
So I fed the family, I changed out the sparks
She took responsibility and provided for her family by fixing things and keeping them going.
But every day I gained, another fell apart
Despite her efforts, it seemed like something else fell apart each day.
Hang on tight now, hey little sister I dig it okay
She needs to hold on tightly and persevere through difficulties, and her sister understands and supports her.
Looking for the fountain of love where the wild heart reigns
She is searching for a love that is passionate and all-consuming.
And the knife draws blood and beauty is redeemed
In the search for love, there may be pain and sacrifice, but beauty can also be found and renewed.
But cherry and Dallas won't ever be the same
Two people or places have changed and can never go back to how they used to be.
Pony watched Johnny die nothing gold can stay
A character named Pony witnessed the death of a person named Johnny, showing that things that seem valuable will eventually come to an end.
And those street kids and beauty queens
Street kids and beauty queens are both mentioned together as groups that may not have a good future.
They don't stand a chance so hang on tight monkey man
These groups of people are struggling and need to hold on tight and persevere through hardships.
Says draw your picture give it some ink
The monkey man advises her to express herself and show her creativity through art.
Hear the needle whisper for all the broken hearts
As she gets a tattoo, she can hear the needle whispering to all the people with broken hearts.
And the passing fancies, pull the inside out, when you can
The tattooing process can be a way to release inner emotions and express the fleeting desires of life.
Hang on tight, hang on tight now
Through everything, she needs to hold on tightly and persevere through hardships.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AMY ELIZABETH RAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind