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.
Fare Thee Well
Indigo Girls Lyrics
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I watched your taillights blaze into nothingness
But you were long gone before I ever got to you
Before you blazed past this address
And now I think of having loved and having lost
But never know what it feels like to never love
Who can say what's better when my heart's become the cost
Fare thee well my bright star
The vanity of youth the color of your eyes
And maybe if I'd fanned the blazing fire of your day-to-day
Or if I'd been older I'd been wise
Too thick the heat of those long summer evenings
For a cool evening I began to yearn
But you could only feed upon the things which feed a fire
Waiting to see if I would burn
Fare thee well my bright star
It was a brief brilliant miracle dive
That which I looked up to and I clung to for dear life
Had to burn itself up just to make itself alive
And I caught you then in your moment of glory
Your last dramatic scene against a night sky stage
With a moment so clear that it's as if you're still before me
My once in a lifetime star of an age
So fare thee well my bright star
Last night the tongues of fire circled me around
And this strange season of pain will come to pass
When the healing hands of autumn cool me down
The song Fare Thee Well by Indigo Girls expresses a sense of loss and heartbreak over a past love. The singer recalls watching the taillights of their former partner disappear into the distance, knowing that they were beyond reach. The lyrics reflect on the pain of loving someone and losing them, but also on the beauty and power of that love. The singer acknowledges that the cost of loving someone deeply is experiencing the pain of that loss, but still finds value in the experience.
The song also touches on themes of youth and age, with the singer pondering whether a different version of themselves - either in their youth or with more wisdom - could have changed the outcome of the relationship. The lyrics hint at a sense of regret for not having done more to hold onto the relationship, but also acknowledge that some things are beyond our control. The song ultimately concludes on a hopeful note, with the singer looking forward to the healing and renewal that the changing seasons will bring.
Overall, Fare Thee Well is a poignant and introspective reflection on the complexities of love, relationships, and loss. The powerful imagery and emotive lyrics offer a deep and moving portrayal of the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Fare thee well my bright star
Saying goodbye to the person who brought light into her life.
I watched your taillights blaze into nothingness
Seeing the person she loves leaving her behind.
But you were long gone before I ever got to you
Realizing that the person she loved was never truly hers.
Before you blazed past this address
The person she loved moved on without saying a word.
And now I think of having loved and having lost
Reflecting on the bittersweet experience of love and loss.
But never know what it feels like to never love
Acknowledging that it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Who can say what's better when my heart's become the cost
Wondering if the pain of losing love was worth it.
A mere token of a brighter jewel sent from above
Believing that love is a gift from a higher power.
The vanity of youth the color of your eyes
Remembering the physical attributes that made her fall in love.
And maybe if I'd fanned the blazing fire of your day-to-day
Thinking about what could have changed the outcome of their love story.
Or if I'd been older I'd been wise
Regretting not being more mature at the time of their love story.
Too thick the heat of those long summer evenings
Recalling the intense passion of their summer romance.
For a cool evening I began to yearn
Wishing for a more peaceful and less turbulent relationship.
But you could only feed upon the things which feed a fire
Understanding that the person she loved was only able to thrive in an intense relationship.
Waiting to see if I would burn
Feeling like the person she loved was testing her limits.
It was a brief brilliant miracle dive
Describing their relationship as a short but amazing experience.
That which I looked up to and I clung to for dear life
Viewing the person she loved as someone she depended on.
Had to burn itself up just to make itself alive
Understanding that their intense relationship was destructive in the end.
And I caught you then in your moment of glory
Remembering the person she loved at their best moment.
Your last dramatic scene against a night sky stage
Envisioning that moment as the last time she would see the person she loved.
With a moment so clear that it's as if you're still before me
Recalling the memory so vividly it feels like the person she loved is still with her.
My once in a lifetime star of an age
Acknowledging that the person she loved was unique and special.
Last night the tongues of fire circled me around
Symbolizing the intensity of her emotions after the breakup.
And this strange season of pain will come to pass
Believing that her pain will eventually fade.
When the healing hands of autumn cool me down
Looking forward to the time when she will feel better and be able to move on.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AMY ELIZABETH RAY, EMILY ANN SALIERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind