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.
I'll Give You My Skin
Indigo Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can sit in your highchairs
Highchairs are for children
You can sit in your highchairs and laugh
I'll give you my best face
I'll give you my freedom
I'll give you my feet and my hands
Open open open to the field
Hold your dances there
Take the crop
Share the yield
You can join us together
Break us apart
A wound in the skin is a break in the heart
You can coast on your laughter
High shelf your heart
But laughter's for healing
Not tearing apart
I'm keeping my eyes
Open to the fields
You can hold your dances there
Take the crop
Share the yield
Not a soul is lost
But collapse in the walls
You can dance in the dust
You can walk it off walk walk it off
If you're falling you're falling
Come calling to me
Falling falling
I'll give you my skin
I will give you my skin
I'm keeping my eyes
Open to the field
(If you're falling you're falling come calling to me)
You can hold your dances here
(If you're falling you're falling come calling to me)
Take the crop, share the yield
(If you're falling you're falling come calling to me)
I'm keeping my eyes
(If you're falling you're falling come calling to me)
Open to the field
(If you're falling you're falling come calling to me)
Hold your dances there
(If you're falling you're falling come calling to me)
Take the crop share the yield
If you're falling you're falling come calling to me [Repeat: x3]
I will give you my skin
The lyrics of "I'll Give You My Skin" by Indigo Girls revolve around the idea of offering oneself to others, despite the pain and vulnerability it entails. The first verse seems to be directed at someone who feels superior or complacent ("You can sit in your highchairs"), while the singer is willing to give everything she has to offer ("I'll give you my best face, I'll give you my freedom, I'll give you my feet and my hands"). The second verse expands on the metaphor of the field, suggesting that the singer is open to collaboration and sharing, even if it involves taking risks or suffering loss ("Not a soul is lost, but collapse in the walls"). The chorus repeats the message of solidarity and support ("If you're falling you're falling come calling to me, I will give you my skin"), reinforcing the idea that interpersonal connections can nourish and protect individuals.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of empathy and compassion that overrides traditional hierarchies or boundaries. The metaphor of the field suggests that people can work together towards a common goal, even if they come from different backgrounds or hold different ideologies. By offering her skin, the singer implies that she is willing to expose herself to pain, but also to provide comfort and protection to others. The message of the song is hopeful and optimistic, suggesting that the human capacity for connection and collaboration can overcome the challenges of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you
Addressing the listener
You can sit in your highchairs
You can act childish and immature
You can sit in your highchairs and laugh
You can mock us and our beliefs
I'll give you my best face
I'll show you my true self
I'll give you my freedom
I'll share my freedom and independence with you
I'll give you my feet and my hands
I'll help you and support you with all my abilities
I'm keeping my eyes
I'm remaining vigilant and aware
Open open open to the field
I'm receptive to new ideas and perspectives
Hold your dances there
Celebrate and enjoy life in the natural world
Take the crop
Harvest the fruits of nature
Share the yield
Distribute the benefits among all
You can join us together
You can cooperate with us and work towards unity
Break us apart
You can create division and disunity
A wound in the skin is a break in the heart
Physical and emotional injuries are connected and affect each other
You can coast on your laughter
You can use humor to avoid confronting serious issues
High shelf your heart
You can protect your feelings and emotions by keeping them hidden
But laughter's for healing
Humor can also be used to overcome pain and suffering
Not tearing apart
Humor should not be used to hurt others or cause damage
Not a soul is lost
Everyone has value and worth
But collapse in the walls
Sometimes structures and systems fail and need to be rebuilt
You can dance in the dust
You can find joy and beauty even in difficult situations
You can walk it off walk walk it off
You can overcome adversity with determination and persistence
If you're falling you're falling
If you need help or support, don't hesitate to ask
Come calling to me
I'm here for you and will offer my assistance
I'll give you my skin
I'll share everything with you, even if it leaves me vulnerable
You can hold your dances here
You can find happiness and fulfillment in life
Take the crop, share the yield
Enjoy the fruits of life together and share them with others
If you're falling you're falling come calling to me [Repeat: x3]
Reiterating the offer of support and help when needed
I will give you my skin
Reiterating the willingness to offer everything to help and support others
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL STIPE, AMY RAY, EMILY SALIERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind