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.
Hammer and a Nail
Indigo Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A blistered hand on the handle of a shovel
I've been digging too deep, I always do
I see my fate on the surface
I look a lot like Narcissus
A dark abyss of an emptiness
Standing on the edge of a drowning blue
And even my sweat smells clean
Glare off the white hurts my eyes
I gotta get out of bed and get a hammer and a nail
Learn how to use my hands, not just my head
I think myself into jail
Now I know a refuge never grows
From a chin in a hand in a thoughtful pose
Gotta tend the earth if you want a rose
Had a lot of good intentions
Sit around for fifty years and then collect a pension
Started seeing the road to hell and just where it starts
But my life is more than a vision
The sweetest part is acting after making a decision
I started seeing the whole as a sum of its parts
And I, I look behind my ears for the green
And even my sweat smells clean
Glare off the white hurts my eyes
I gotta get out of bed and get a hammer and a nail
Learn how to use my hands, not just my head
I think myself into jail
Now I know a refuge never grows
From a chin in a hand in a thoughtful pose
Gotta tend the earth if you want a rose
My life is part of the global life
I'd found myself becoming more immobile
When I'd think a little girl in the world can't do anything
A distant nation my community
A street person my responsibility
If I have a care in the world I have a gift to bring
I look behind my ears for the green
And even my sweat smells clean
Glare off the white hurts my eyes
I gotta get out of bed and get a hammer and a nail
Learn how to use my hands, not just my head
I think myself into jail
Now I know a refuge never grows
From a chin in a hand in a thoughtful pose
Gotta tend the earth if you want a rose
"Hammer And A Nail" by Indigo Girls is a song about taking action and living a purposeful life. The lyrics describe the feeling of being trapped in thought, unable to act on good intentions. The opening lines set the scene of the singer clearing webs from a hovel, conjuring up an image of someone living in disarray and neglect. The blistered hand on the handle of a shovel shows the physical effort required to make a change, and the line "I've been digging too deep, I always do" suggests a tendency for the singer to overthink and ruminate on their problems.
The next stanza continues to explore the theme of self-reflection, with the singer likening themselves to Narcissus, the mythical figure who fell in love with his own reflection. This is a metaphor for the dangers of excessive introspection and the need to focus on the world beyond oneself. The drowning blue represents the abyss of despair that can result from a lack of action.
The chorus offers a plan of action, with the singer resolving to "get out of bed and get a hammer and a nail" and "learn how to use my hands, not just my head". This is a call to physical action, to do something practical and concrete rather than getting lost in thought. The final lines of the chorus repeat the refrain that "a refuge never grows from a chin in a hand in a thoughtful pose". This reinforces the idea that in order to make a change in the world, one must take action, rather than just thinking about it.
The "green" referred to behind the ears represents naivety, while "sweat smells clean" represents innocence or purity. The "glare off the white" is a metaphor for the harshness of reality that can be difficult to face. The second verse describes the singer's realization that their life is part of a larger global community, and that they have a responsibility to others. This ties in with the theme of action, as the singer recognizes that they can make a difference in the world, no matter how small.
Line by Line Meaning
Clearing webs from the hovel
Getting rid of the webs in the small, dirty dwelling
A blistered hand on the handle of a shovel
Having a hand with blisters from digging with the tool
I've been digging too deep, I always do
Digging too much and too far down is a common mistake
I see my fate on the surface
The consequences of actions are visible and inevitable
I look a lot like Narcissus
Seeing oneself in a self-absorbed manner
A dark abyss of an emptiness
A feeling of deep and profound emptiness
Standing on the edge of a drowning blue
Being at the precipice of an overwhelming situation
I look behind my ears for the green
Searching for signs of wealth or success
And even my sweat smells clean
Feeling self-righteous or superior
Glare off the white hurts my eyes
The brightness of the situation is uncomfortable to face
I gotta get out of bed and get a hammer and a nail
Taking action is necessary for change
Learn how to use my hands, not just my head
Developing practical skills and not just relying on intellect
I think myself into jail
Overthinking can lead to stagnant inaction
Now I know a refuge never grows
A place of safety or escape does not develop on its own
From a chin in a hand in a thoughtful pose
Sitting idly and pondering does not create progress
Gotta tend the earth if you want a rose
Working hard is required to achieve something beautiful
Had a lot of good intentions
Having a desire to do good is not enough
Sit around for fifty years and then collect a pension
Living a life of inaction leads to a mediocre reward
Started seeing the road to hell and just where it starts
Recognizing the path of poor choices and negative consequences
But my life is more than a vision
Life should involve not only dreams but also practical steps to achieve them
The sweetest part is acting after making a decision
Taking action is satisfying and rewarding
I started seeing the whole as a sum of its parts
Realizing that individual pieces create the whole picture
My life is part of the global life
Recognizing that one's life has an impact on the world
I'd found myself becoming more immobile
Feeling stuck and unable to make progress
When I'd think a little girl in the world can't do anything
Reflecting on the importance of empowering others, especially young girls
A distant nation my community
Feeling a responsibility toward those in other regions
A street person my responsibility
Acknowledging the need to help those in need
If I have a care in the world I have a gift to bring
Being compassionate and caring is a valuable gift to the world
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMILY ANN SALIERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@themysticmuse1111
Brilliant song writing.🔥❤️
Been a fan from the get go.
They hit different when you're 51. (And battling a life threatening illness.)
Have had Watershed, and Closer To Fine, on repeat all am. Revisiting. Just WOW.
Old souls you are....
So wise. So beautiful.
Hearts of gold.❤️🙏🔥
You've made a difference on this yucky planet.
Thanks guys. You rock!!
Nuttin' but love and respect!!🔥🙏❤️😘
@JotItDownQuick
Clearing webs from the hovel
a blistered hand on the handle of a shovel
I've been digging too deep, I always do.
I see my face on the surface
I look a lot like narcissus
A dark abyss of an emptiness
Standing on the edge of a drowning blue.
I look behind my ears for the green
Even my sweat smells clean
Glare off the white hurts my eyes
Gotta get out of bed get a hammer and a nail
Learn how to use my hands, not just my head
I think myself into jail
Now I know a refuge never grows
From a chin in a hand in a thoughtful pose
Gotta tend the earth if you want a rose.
I had a lot of good intentions
Sit around for fifty years and then collect a pension,
Started seeing the road to hell and just where it starts.
But my life is more than a vision
The sweetest part is acting after making a decision
I started seeing the whole as a sum of its parts.
My life is part of the global life
I'd found myself becoming more immobile
When I'd think a little girl in the world can't do anything.
A distant nation my community
A street person my responsibility
If I have a care in the world I have a gift to bring.
@mollycesaretti6211
My stepmom introduced me to the Indigo Girls when I was 12 years old, as my mom and dad were getting divorced and I was really struggling with the life changes that brings for a kid. If I remember right, Hammer and A Nail was the first song on the Indigo Girls CD that my stepmom lent to me. When I was happy, or having a tough day, I'd toss the CD in my brand new CD player (which I had received less than a year earlier) for my birthday. Music by IG never fails to bring a smile to my face and gets me singing along. When I was 13 or 14, my mom and stepmom took me to my very first live rock concert - Lilith Fair. I sang at the top of my lungs while the Indigo Girls played their set. Then, when I was in high school, I even started learning Closer to Fine on my acoustic guitar. The IG and their beautiful music have made my life a much better place; I can barely imagine my teen years without them and their fantastic melodies. <3
@iris089
Your mom and stepmom took you to a concert?
@mollycesaretti6211
@Iris 08 Yes - my mom and stepmom took me to a concert; actually, we went to some other concerts together as well. My mom and stepmom were a committed couple for about 12-13 years, before LGBT marriage was legalized. 💗🏳️🌈💗
@iris089
@Molly Cesaretti ok that make sense. I first thought your stepmom was the new wife of your dad after they divorced. Thanks for clarifying.
@waytoobiased
Artist checks out
@thrjfi5360
Well show us you playing to see how your doin
@TooCoolforCardi
Indigo Girls really don’t get enough credit for their songs and song writing.
@davelee8961
Very true!
@iris089
Yes. But mainly because their genre is very niche. At least they are Grammy winners. I'm happy knowing they have that.
@novemberboy5791
Sooo underrated as songwriters!