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 Kind Friend
Indigo Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know when I'll see you again
On a ferry boat bound to Victoria
Laying down to hide from the wind
Big dipper hangin' over the city
You know everything now is different for me
And it ain't no use in
I said
Kind friend
Help me forget where I been
Kind friend
Remember who I am
I was too late in Spokane
So I caught a ride through the cascade range
I saw the sun die in Olympia
Running down on capital lake
Now I ask you for some relief
It's one true root that you bring to me
It's 3 am
And it's good company
I said
Hey kind friend
Help me forget where I been
Hey kind friend
Help me remember who I am
Hey kind friend
Don't know if I'm gonna see you again
It's okay friend
It's okay friend
(It's so hard when they all have)
So I'll meet you in New Orleans or I'll see you around
'Cause I don't know if it's worth coming down
Hey I'm calling you
From a gold rush town
And I say
Hey kind friend
Help me forget where I've been
Hey kind friend
Help me remember who I am
Hey kind friend
I don't know if I'm gonna see you again
It's ok friend
I'm ok friend
I said I'm ok friend
I'm ok friend
(See ya later)
The lyrics of "Hey Kind Friend" by Indigo Girls depict the singer's longing for a comforting presence in a time of uncertainty and confusion in their life. The first verse sets the scene on a ferry bound for Victoria, where the singer is seeking refuge from the wind. The mention of the Big Dipper hanging over the city serves as a metaphor for change, indicating that everything is different for the singer now. The line "And it ain't no use in explaining the scenery" implies that the singer is struggling to find the words to describe their current situation to others, perhaps because they don't fully understand it themselves.
In the chorus, the singer repeats the phrase "Hey kind friend, help me forget where I've been, help me remember who I am" several times, reinforcing the idea that they are seeking solace from someone who knows them deeply and can provide comfort and guidance during this tumultuous time. The second verse mentions the singer's journey through the Cascade Range and witnessing the sunset in Olympia. They then ask for relief and companionship from their kind friend, describing the comfort that their company provides.
The final verse mentions the possibility of meeting the kind friend in New Orleans, or encountering them somewhere else. The last lines "I'm ok friend, I'm ok friend, see ya later" suggest a tentative acceptance of the situation and a willingness to move forward, even if uncertain of what the future may hold.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey kind friend
The singer is addressing a friend who they consider to be kind.
I don't know when I'll see you again
The singer is uncertain about the next time they'll be able to see their friend.
On a ferry boat bound to Victoria
The singer is on a ferry heading towards Victoria.
Laying down to hide from the wind
The artist is lying down to avoid the wind during their journey.
Big dipper hangin' over the city
The artist is observing the Big Dipper constellation in the sky over the city.
You know everything now is different for me
The singer implies that their life has undergone a change that their friend knows about.
And it ain't no use in Explainin' the scenery
The singer feels that talking about their surroundings is pointless.
Kind friend
The artist is addressing their friend as a kind person.
Help me forget where I been
The artist is asking their friend to help them temporarily forget about their past experiences.
Remember who I am
The artist requests their friend to help them re-establish their sense of identity.
I was too late in Spokane
The singer was delayed and missed their intended arrival time in Spokane.
So I caught a ride through the cascade range
The artist hitchhiked through the Cascade Range to get to their next destination.
I saw the sun die in Olympia
The singer witnessed a sunset in Olympia.
Running down on capital lake
The singer describes the sunset reflecting on the lake in Olympia.
Now I ask you for some relief
The singer is in distress and is asking for help.
It's one true root that you bring to me
The artist believes that their friend possesses a healing power that can help them to feel better.
It's 3 am
The artist tells the time of day.
And it's good company
The singer values their friend's presence and considers them to be good company.
Hey kind friend
The singer is addressing their friend again.
Don't know if I'm gonna see you again
The artist is uncertain if they will have another opportunity to meet their friend.
It's okay friend
The artist tries to reassure their friend that everything is okay.
So I'll meet you in New Orleans or I'll see you around
The artist suggests that they could meet up with their friend in New Orleans or they could unexpectedly encounter them somewhere else.
'Cause I don't know if it's worth coming down
The singer is unsure if it's worth the effort of trying to stay in touch with their friend.
Hey I'm calling you From a gold rush town
The artist is contacting their friend from a town renowned for gold mining.
I'm ok friend
The singer reassures their friend that they're okay.
See ya later
The singer says goodbye in a casual manner.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AMY ELIZABETH RAY, EMILY ANN SALIERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Shelby Blaisdell
Ahhh this song, this song moves me beyond what I know~~ Just love the Indigo girls~~
Molly Reed
My mom wants this to played at her funeral
Betty's Cardigan
I remember you, Chris. RIP Kind friend x
Emily Tench
bunker boys are more of a problem than water protectors any day in my life
Emily Tench
<3
Cheryl Peace
nice...
Emily Tench
who I am <3