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.
Let It Be Me
Indigo Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Battle zones
A single light bulb
On a single thread for the black
Sirens wail
History fails
Rose-colored glass
Begins to age and crack
The power ring
In an endless split decision
Never solve anything
From a neighbor's distant land
I heard the strain of the common man
[Chorus]
Let it be me
(this is not a fighting song)
Let it be me
(not a wrong for a wrong)
Let it be me
If the world is night
Shine my life like a light
Well the world seems spent
And the president
Has no good idea
Of who the masses are
Well I'm one of them
And I'm among friends
We're trying to see beyond
The fences in our own backyards
I've seen the kingdoms blow
Like ashes in the winds of change
But the power of truth
Is the fuel for the flame
So the darker the ages get
There's a stronger beacon yet
[Chorus]
In the kind word you speak
In the turn of the cheek
When your vision stays clear
In the face of your fear
Then you see turning out a light switch
Is their only power
When we stand like spotlights
In a mighty tower
All for one and one for all
Then we sing the common call
[Chorus]
The song "Let It Be Me" by Indigo Girls is a powerful and insightful commentary on the state of the world today. The opening lines, "Sticks and stones, Battle zones, A single light bulb, On a single thread for the black" paint a vivid picture of a world torn apart by war, violence, and poverty. The sirens wailing and the history failing indicate a sense of hopelessness and despair.
However, the song also speaks of the power of the common man to effect change. The line "From a neighbor's distant land, I heard the strain of the common man" highlights the interconnectedness of the world and the commonality of human experience. The call to action in the chorus, "Let it be me, If the world is night, Shine my life like a light" emphasizes that it is up to each individual to do their part in making the world a better place.
The second verse speaks of the disconnect between those in power and those they represent. The president that "Has no good idea of who the masses are" emphasizes the need for those in power to listen to the people they serve. The kingdoms blowing away like "ashes in the winds of change" indicates that even the most powerful can fall if they are not rooted in truth.
The final verse speaks of the power of positivity and standing together. "When we stand like spotlights, In a mighty tower, All for one and one for all, Then we sing the common call" brings to mind the idea of strength in numbers and the importance of coming together to create change.
Overall, Let It Be Me can be interpreted as a call to action for each person to do their part in creating a brighter future for all.
Line by Line Meaning
Sticks and stones
Amidst the intense conflict and violence, words and actions that are meant to hurt can seem trivial and meaningless.
Battle zones
When there is such a vast array of conflicts and turmoil, everything can feel like a battleground.
A single light bulb
In the darkest of situations, the smallest of things can bring hope and comfort.
On a single thread for the black
A small light source providing hope and comfort can seem inadequate in the midst of darkness and shadows.
Sirens wail
Amidst the chaos, the sound of emergency services can be a calming influence, and can represent the hope and care that people offer each other in dark times.
History fails
The mistakes and ignorance of the past does not prepare us for the struggles of the present, and the sense of stability is lost.
Rose-colored glass
The optimism of the past is fading and seems unrealistic amidst today's troubles.
Begins to age and crack
The past's optimism begins to fade under the harsh reality of the present.
While the politicians shadowbox
While the politicians 'fight' and argue over policy agenda's, they do not seem to be making any progress on the true challenges of society.
The power ring
The center of political power which is fought over does not seem to be helping anyone.
In an endless split decision
The center of political power is in constant battle, but nothing definitive comes out of it.
Never solve anything
The political power struggle achieves no progress in solving society's problems.
From a neighbor's distant land
Unexpectedly, hope can come from unexpected sources, far away from us.
I heard the strain of the common man
The struggles of people and their cries for help are heard across the distance.
Let it be me
(this is not a fighting song)
Let it be me
(not a wrong for a wrong)
Let it be me
If the world is night
Shine my life like a light
Instead of blaming others or joining the fight, the singer is willing to be a light, bringing hope and comfort to herself and others in uncertain times.
Well the world seems spent
Society seems to have given all it can.
And the president
Has no good idea
Of who the masses are
The political leadership is out of touch with the people.
Well I'm one of them
And I'm among friends
The singer is part of the mass of people struggling and trying to find hope.
We're trying to see beyond
The fences in our own backyards
We are trying to look beyond our own worries and challenges to find common ground with others.
I've seen the kingdoms blow
Like ashes in the winds of change
The institutions and structures of power throughout history are fragile, especially in the face of change.
But the power of truth
Is the fuel for the flame
The truth provides the necessary fuel to sustain the fight for what is right.
So the darker the ages get
There's a stronger beacon yet
The harder the struggles become, the more light and hope people must create to find their way through.
In the kind word you speak
In the turn of the cheek
When your vision stays clear
In the face of your fear
The smallest acts of love, courage, and clarity in the face of fear and hate can create a chain of hope.
Then you see turning out a light switch
Is their only power
The only real power or influence possessed by people is the power to choose to bring light to others.
When we stand like spotlights
In a mighty tower
When individuals come together as one powerful unit, they can bring even more light and hope to the world.
All for one and one for all
Then we sing the common call
When people put aside their differences and stand together, they can sing out as one voice, united in hope and determination.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMILY ANN SALIERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind