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.
Hey Jesus
Indigo Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't usually talk to you,
But my baby's gonna leave me and there's something you must do.
And I am not your faithful servant;
I hang around sometimes with a bunch of your black sheep,
But if you make my baby stay I'll make it up to you;
And that's a promise I will keep.
I'm the one that talked to you yesterday.
I asked you please, please, for a favor.
But my baby's gone away,
Went away, anyway,
And I don't really think it's fair.
You got the power to make us all believe in you,
And when we call you in our despair
You don't come through.
Hey Jesus, it's me. I'm sorry,
I don't remember all I said;
I had a few, no, too many,
And they went straight to my head,
And made me feel like I could argue with God.
But you know it's easy for you, you got friends all over the world,
You had the whole world waiting for your birth,
But now I ain't got nobody.
I don't know what my life's worth,
'Cause when I die and I get up to your doors
I don't even know if you're going to let me in the place.
How come I gotta die to get a chance to talk with you,
Face to face
In Indigo Girls's song Hey Jesus, the singer addresses Jesus directly, asking him to intervene in a difficult situation. The singer's romantic partner is about to leave them, and they're desperate for Jesus to make them stay. Despite admitting to being one of Jesus's "black sheep," the singer offers to make it up to him if he helps them. In a later verse, the singer expresses disappointment in Jesus for not coming through for them in the past. They had asked for a favor, but their partner still left them. The singer questions why it's so easy for Jesus to have friends all over the world, but seemingly impossible for him to help them keep their partner. In the final verse, the singer apologizes for any disrespect they may have shown to Jesus in the past and expresses a desire for a personal connection with him. They lament the fact that they may not be worthy of entering heaven and talking to Jesus "face to face."
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Jesus, it's me.
Addressing Jesus for help.
I don't usually talk to you,
Admitting that the singer doesn't usually converse with Jesus.
But my baby's gonna leave me and there's something you must do.
Asking Jesus to intervene in a personal relationship issue.
And I am not your faithful servant;
Acknowledging that the artist doesn't always follow Jesus or his teachings.
I hang around sometimes with a bunch of your black sheep,
Confessing that the artist associates with people who are considered sinners in Christian teachings.
But if you make my baby stay I'll make it up to you;
Promising to make amends if Jesus can help to keep the singer's partner in the relationship.
And that's a promise I will keep.
Reiterating the previous promise to make amends.
Hey Jesus, it's me.
Returning to asking for Jesus's help.
I'm the one that talked to you yesterday.
Reminding Jesus of a previous prayer request.
I asked you please, please, for a favor.
Describing the artist's previous request as urgent.
But my baby's gone away,
Explaining that the request wasn't granted and the partner left the relationship anyway.
Went away, anyway,
Repeating that the partner left regardless of the artist's request.
And I don't really think it's fair.
Expressing frustration with Jesus's lack of response.
You got the power to make us all believe in you,
Acknowledging Jesus's power and influence.
And when we call you in our despair
Implying that the singer is feeling hopeless.
You don't come through.
Accusing Jesus of not answering prayers.
Hey Jesus, it's me. I'm sorry,
Apologizing for previous statements.
I don't remember all I said;
Admitting that the singer may have been impaired or not in their right state of mind during a previous conversation.
I had a few, no, too many,
Admitting to drinking or using drugs.
And they went straight to my head,
Explaining that the substances affected the artist's thoughts and actions.
And made me feel like I could argue with God.
Implying that the artist had an inflated sense of confidence or entitlement while under the influence.
But you know it's easy for you, you got friends all over the world,
Acknowledging Jesus's popularity and influence.
You had the whole world waiting for your birth,
Referencing Jesus's birth as a significant event.
But now I ain't got nobody.
Expressing loneliness or isolation.
I don't know what my life's worth,
Feeling uncertain or questioning the value of their life.
'Cause when I die and I get up to your doors
Speculating about an afterlife and meeting Jesus.
I don't even know if you're going to let me in the place.
Expressing concern that they may not be accepted into heaven.
How come I gotta die to get a chance to talk with you,
Questioning why a personal relationship with Jesus is only possible after death.
Face to face
Expressing a desire for a personal, direct relationship with Jesus.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMILY ANN SALIERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind