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.
Left Me A Fool
Indigo Girls Lyrics
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You go riding out a mystery concealed in all your glory
But when it comes to flesh and bones you remind me of Shalot
Only made of shadows even though you're not
I remember how I spent all my energy and time
With affected conversation trying to pry inside your mind
You are as brilliant as truth and empty as a shell
Oh, to reach through all your surface
Just to find an empty pool
And to suffer all your pride as I lay down by your side
And you swallowed up my heart and left me a fool
Left me a fool
Everybody loves a hero an image to create
Antithesis of everything inside theirselves they hate
But you'd better close your eyes when it's time for them to die
Cause you'd hate to think the life we built upon them was a lie
Oh, to reach through all your surface
Just to find an empty pool
And to suffer all your pride as I lay down by your side
And you swallowed up my heart and left me a fool
Left me a fool
I resign myself to silence I will never blow your cover
No one ever has to know who the hero took for lover
But it comes to mind as you blaze on as brilliant as a star
How many you've left behind, how many casualties there are
To reach through all your surface
Just to find an empty pool
And to suffer all your pride as I lay down by your side
And you swallowed up my heart and left me a fool
Left me a fool
The song Left Me A Fool by Indigo Girls explores the idea of putting someone on a pedestal and all the pain that can come with it. The lyrics describe a person who is beloved and admired by everyone for their mystery and excellence, but when it comes to a personal connection, they are difficult to access and ultimately unfulfilling. The comparison to Shalot, the doomed Lady of Shalott in Tennyson's poem, emphasizes the sadness and isolation of this person. The singer describes their own efforts to break through this person's guard and the disappointment that results when they discover that there is nothing there. The second verse shifts perspective to the idea of heroes and how constructing an image can hide the reality of a person's life. The final stanza brings the song back to the personal level, acknowledging that despite the heartbreak, the singer will keep the secret of this person's emptiness and continue to suffer in silence.
Overall, the song captures the sorrow and frustration of loving someone who seems unreachable, and the pain of realizing that our fantasies and ideals can never match up to reality.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody loves you and they want to know your story
You are surrounded by admirers who are curious about your life.
You go riding out a mystery concealed in all your glory
You enjoy being a complex enigma and maintaining an air of superiority.
But when it comes to flesh and bones you remind me of Shalot
Despite your apparent confidence, you seem weak and fragile in reality.
Only made of shadows even though you're not
You appear to be a mysterious entity but in truth, you are not that complex.
I remember how I spent all my energy and time
I dedicated myself to trying to understand you.
With affected conversation trying to pry inside your mind
I tried having artificial conversations to get closer to the real you.
You are as brilliant as truth and empty as a shell
You have intelligence but you are emotionally vacant.
And I came to you one night and it made me feel like hell
I didn't feel good about confiding in you.
Oh, to reach through all your surface
I yearned to understand the real you.
Just to find an empty pool
But I discovered that you are all surface with no inner depth.
And to suffer all your pride as I lay down by your side
I had to deal with your arrogance while I was vulnerable next to you.
And you swallowed up my heart and left me a fool
You took advantage of my emotional vulnerability and left me feeling foolish.
Everybody loves a hero an image to create
People are attracted to those who present themselves as heroic figures.
Antithesis of everything inside theirselves they hate
They envy what they imagine you do, comparing it to what they themselves don't like about who they are.
But you'd better close your eyes when it's time for them to die
If you knew the truth about their lives, you might not admire them as much.
Cause you'd hate to think the life we built upon them was a lie
You wouldn't like to realize that your admiration is misplaced and ill-founded.
I resign myself to silence I will never blow your cover
I accept that I can never reveal that you are not who you claim to be.
No one ever has to know who the hero took for lover
I keep my affair with you a secret as you are not meant to be exposed.
But it comes to mind as you blaze on as brilliant as a star
As you continue to represent the ideal, I can't help but think of the hidden reality behind it.
How many you've left behind, how many casualties there are
I ponder over the number of people who have been deceived and hurt by you.
Left me a fool
Your deception led me to feel foolish and emotional challenged.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMILY ANN SALIERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind