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.
Mystery
Indigo Girls Lyrics
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I wasn't sure when I would see you again
Yours was a twisted blind sided highway
No matter which road you took then
Oh you set up your place in my thoughts
Moved in and made my thinking crowded
Now we're out in the back with the barking dogs
My heart the red sun
I could go crazy on a night like tonight
When summer's beginning to give up her fight
And every thought's a possibility
And the voices are heard but nothing is seen
Why do you spend this time with me
Maybe an equal mystery
So what is love then is it dictated or chosen
(Handed down and made by hand)
Does it sing like the hymns of 1000 years
Or is it just pop emotion
(Handed down and made by hand)
And if it ever was there and it left
Does it mean it was never true
And to exist it must elude
Is that why I think these things of you
I could go crazy on a night like tonight
When summer's beginning to give up her fight
And every thought's a possibility
And the voices are heard but nothing is seen
Why do you spend this time with me
May be an equal mystery
But you like the taste of danger
It shines like sugar on your lips
And you like to stand in the line of fire
Just to show you can shoot straight from you hip
There must be a 1000 things you would die for
I can hardly think of two
But not everything is better spoken aloud
Not when I'm talking to you
Oh the pirate gets the ship and the girl tonight
Breaks a bottle to christen her
Basking in the exploits of her thief
She's a very good listener
Maybe that's all that we need
Is to meet in the middle of impossibility
We're standing at opposite poles
Equal partners in a mystery
(Handed down and made by hand)
We're standing at opposite poles
Equal partners in a mystery
The song “Mystery” by Indigo Girls is a beautiful and emotional exploration of a complicated relationship. The lyrics describe how the singer felt uncertain and confused whenever her lover would leave, not knowing when they would see each other again. The metaphor of “twisted blind-sided highway” represents the unpredictable nature of the lover’s behavior which left the singer feeling emotionally crowded. Yet, despite the lover’s faults, the singer acknowledges that she is equally drawn to the mystery of the relationship.
The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, with the singer lamenting, “Why do you spend this time with me? Maybe an equal mystery.” She wonders about the nature of love and whether or not it is something that is chosen, or something that is handed down by force. The imagery of “pop emotion” highlights the idea that love can be fickle and fleeting, but that doesn't mean it isn't real.
The final verses of the song incorporate the metaphor of pirates and stolen ships, representing the unpredictability - and danger - of the love affair. Yet even in the face of uncertainty and danger, the two main characters remain “equal partners in a mystery,” standing at opposite poles but still drawn together.
Line by Line Meaning
Each time you'd pull down the driveway
I was uncertain about our future each time you left
I wasn't sure when I would see you again
The unpredictability of our relationship made me feel uncertain
Yours was a twisted blind sided highway
Your journey in life was complex and unpredictable
No matter which road you took then
Your actions were unpredictable and difficult to anticipate
Oh you set up your place in my thoughts
You occupied a significant space in my mind
Moved in and made my thinking crowded
You had a strong influence on my thoughts and feelings
Now we're out in the back with the barking dogs
We are in a difficult situation or environment
My heart the red sun
My heart burns passionately for you
Your heart the moon clouded
Your feelings for me are uncertain and unclear
I could go crazy on a night like tonight
The sense of possibility and the unknown can be overwhelming
When summer's beginning to give up her fight
The changing of seasons can symbolize the changes in our relationship
And every thought's a possibility
I am filled with hope and uncertainty about what we could become
And the voices are heard but nothing is seen
There is a sense of confusion and chaos in my thoughts and feelings
Why do you spend this time with me
I am unsure of your intentions and your feelings for me
Maybe an equal mystery
Perhaps our connection and attraction is equally inexplicable
So what is love then is it dictated or chosen
Is love something that is predetermined or a conscious choice?
(Handed down and made by hand)
Is love something that is inherited or created by individual effort?
Does it sing like the hymns of 1000 years
Is love something timeless and universal?
Or is it just pop emotion
Or is it something that is trendy and fleeting?
And if it ever was there and it left
If love fades away, was it truly genuine?
Does it mean it was never true
Does the loss of love negate its earlier existence?
And to exist it must elude
Perhaps love can only survive by being elusive and mysterious
Is that why I think these things of you
Perhaps the mystery of love is why I am drawn to you
But you like the taste of danger
You are attracted to risky and exciting situations
It shines like sugar on your lips
You find danger irresistible and tempting
And you like to stand in the line of fire
You enjoy taking risks and testing yourself
Just to show you can shoot straight from you hip
You want to prove that you are capable and skilled
There must be a 1000 things you would die for
You have a strong sense of loyalty and dedication
I can hardly think of two
I am not as confident in my own convictions and values
But not everything is better spoken aloud
Some things are best left unsaid or unacknowledged
Not when I'm talking to you
Especially when communicating with you
Oh the pirate gets the ship and the girl tonight
Sometimes the person who takes risks and breaks rules is rewarded
Breaks a bottle to christen her
Celebrating a new beginning or adventure
Basking in the exploits of her thief
Enjoying the thrills and excitement of a daring partner
She's a very good listener
She is attentive and understanding
Maybe that's all that we need
Perhaps we just need someone to listen and understand us
Is to meet in the middle of impossibility
Perhaps we can find common ground despite our differences
We're standing at opposite poles
We are very different from each other
Equal partners in a mystery
Despite our differences, we are both drawn to the mysterious nature of our connection
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMILY ANN SALIERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind