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.
Peace Tonight
Indigo Girls Lyrics
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The ones that hardly ever get used
I knelt in front of my whole collection
And I'm picking you a special selection
On a no news is good news middle of mid-year day
I feel no ill with time to kill I wanna play
Let's make peace tonight (let's make peace tonight)
Let's make peace tonight in a good time (let's make peace tonight)
I'm callin' on my good friends today
You know the drive's about an hour away
Then we'll be pitching up a tent by the trees
And we'll be wading in the river to our knees
Oh woah love's been planted and we're checking out the yield
It's two black dogs and a white one their running in the field
So let's make peace tonight (let's make peace tonight)
The moon is bare and shining bright (moon is shining bright)
Well let's make peace tonight in a good time (let's make peace tonight)
Well we used to have some money but we spent it (used to have some money but we spent it)
Yeah so when we want to have it then we rent it (when we want to have it we rent it)
But we're cuttin' up the rug and I know you love me love me
And the best of everything here is free (everything here is free)
Oh when things get messy then we tidy up the room
We'll be no stranger to that dustpan and the broom
Let's make peace tonight (let's make peace tonight)
The moon is bare and shining bright (moon is shining bright)
Let's make peace tonight (let's make peace tonight)
The moon is bare and shining bright (moon is shining bright)
Let's make peace tonight in a good time (let's make peace tonight in a good time)
The song "Peace Tonight" by Indigo Girls speaks to the desire for peace and contentment in the midst of the chaos of life. The opening lines, "Honey pick the red corner shoes, the ones that hardly ever get used," suggest a sense of spontaneity as the singer selects a special outfit for a day of leisure. The tone is light and carefree, with the singer noting that they have "no news" and "time to kill" – a rare moment of rest and relaxation.
The central theme of the song is encapsulated in the refrain, "Let's make peace tonight." The singer invites their "good friends" to join them for an outdoor excursion, complete with setting up a tent by the trees and wading in a river. The lyrics suggest a return to nature and the simple pleasures of life, as opposed to the consumption-driven culture that the singer notes they no longer have the means to participate in ("when we want to have it then we rent it").
There is an undercurrent of appreciation for the small things in life, with the singer noting that "the best of everything here is free." The imagery of cutting up the rug (dancing) and tidying up the room reinforces a sense of joy in the company of loved ones and a willingness to face the messy parts of life together. The repetition of the refrain drives home the message that, in the face of life's challenges, the pursuit of peace is a worthwhile goal.
Line by Line Meaning
Honey pick the red corner shoes
Choose the red corner shoes that are rarely used
The ones that hardly ever get used
Referring to the shoes just mentioned
I knelt in front of my whole collection
The singer was selecting shoes from their collection
And I'm picking you a special selection
The artist was being selective for someone special
On a no news is good news middle of mid-year day
It's a calm day with nothing going on
I feel no ill with time to kill I wanna play
The singer wants to enjoy their free time without a worry
Let's make peace tonight (let's make peace tonight)
The singer is suggesting making peace
The moon is bare and shining bright (moon is shining bright)
The moon is full and bright and setting the mood
I'm callin' on my good friends today
The artist is planning to spend time with some close friends
You know the drive's about an hour away
The destination is about an hour's drive away
Then we'll be pitching up a tent by the trees
The singer and friends will be setting up camp under some trees
And we'll be wading in the river to our knees
The artist and friends will be spending time in the river
Oh woah love's been planted and we're checking out the yield
The singer is metaphorically referring to their relationships
It's two black dogs and a white one their running in the field
There are three dogs running around the field, two black and one white
Well we used to have some money but we spent it (used to have some money but we spent it)
The singer and their partner used to have money, but they spent it all
Yeah so when we want to have it then we rent it (when we want to have it we rent it)
When they need something, they rent it instead of buying it
But we're cuttin' up the rug and I know you love me love me
The artist and partner are having fun and loving each other's company
And the best of everything here is free (everything here is free)
Despite not having much money, they are enjoying the simple things that don't cost anything
Oh when things get messy then we tidy up the room
They clean up after themselves and keep their surroundings clean
We'll be no stranger to that dustpan and the broom
They are familiar with cleaning tools
Let's make peace tonight in a good time (let's make peace tonight in a good time)
The artist is once again suggesting making peace
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AMY ELIZABETH RAY, EMILY ANN SALIERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind