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.
Bitterroot
Indigo Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a billion stars for my witness
In the morning I'll go down and the sun comes up
And I'll take a drink from the bitter root river
Have you been lonely
(yes I've been lonely)
I've been lonely too
Have you been lonely
(yes I've been lonely)
I've been lonely too
Tonight I'll be sleeping on the mountain top
I got a billion stars for my witness
In the morning I'll go down and the sun comes up
I'll take a drink from the bitter root river
Have you been traveling
(yes I've been traveling)
I've been traveling too
(that girl can play)
Have you been traveling
(yes I've been traveling)
I've been traveling too
(lordy help me to play)
Tonight I'll be sleeping on the mountain top
I got a billion stars for my witness
In the morning I'll go down and the sun comes up
I'll take a drink from the bitter root river
I'll take a drink from the bitter root river
I'll take a drink from the bitter root river
The lyrics of "Bitterroot" by Indigo Girls speak to the experience of loneliness and the quest for solace in nature. Sleeping on the mountain top with the stars bearing witness, the singer of the song reflects on the shared experience of loneliness with a companion. The repetition of the question "Have you been lonely?" and the answer "Yes, I've been lonely too" suggest the universality of this feeling. The desire for connection is echoed in the line "lordy help me to play," which speaks to the healing potential of music.
The use of the bitterroot river as a source of sustenance further underscores the metaphor of natural healing. The bitterness of the root is transformed into nourishment, suggesting that even the most difficult experiences can be transformed into strength. The repetition of these lines throughout the song creates a sense of ritual, reinforcing the importance of community and nature in personal healing.
Overall, "Bitterroot" is a powerful meditation on the interconnectedness of humans and nature, and the ability of both to provide comfort and support in times of loneliness and struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight I'll be sleeping on the mountain top
I will be alone in nature, with only the stars as my witnesses
I got a billion stars for my witness
The vastness of the universe surrounds me, and I feel small and insignificant
In the morning I'll go down and the sun comes up
The cycle of life continues, and I am reminded that time waits for no one
And I'll take a drink from the bitter root river
I will refresh myself with the harshness of reality, accepting bitterness as part of life
Have you been lonely
Can you relate to the feeling of isolation?
(yes I've been lonely)
Yes, I have experienced loneliness too
Have you been traveling
Have you been journeying through life?
(yes I've been traveling)
Yes, I have been exploring my own path as well
(that girl can play)
The music we create together brings us closer, and we share a mutual respect for each other's talents
(lordy help me to play)
Music is a spiritual experience, connecting us to something greater than ourselves
I'll take a drink from the bitter root river
Despite facing hardships, I will continue to find strength in the lessons they teach me
I'll take a drink from the bitter root river
I will not shy away from life's challenges, but face them head on
I'll take a drink from the bitter root river
I will keep moving forward, learning and growing from each new experience
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AMY ELIZABETH RAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind