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.
You and Me of the 10000 Wars
Indigo Girls Lyrics
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Dividing life into factions of pleasure and chores
A bed to be made and a bed to lie in
A hand in the darker side
And our sights set on zion
The heart of a skeptic and the mind of a child
Put my life in a box and let my imagination run wild
The heart and the mind on a parallel course
Never the two shall meet
And oh the dissatisfied with the satisfied
Everybody loves a melodrama and the scandal of a lie
Still you held your arms open
For the prodigal daughter
I see my eyes in your eyes through my eyes
Still waters
Try making one and one make one
Twist the shapes until everything comes undone
Watch the wizard behind the curtain
The larger than life and the power of seeming certain
The evil ego and the vice of pride
Is there ever anything else that makes us take our different sides
I wanted everything to feed me
About as full as I got was of myself
And the upper echalons of mediocrity
And oh the dissatisfied with the satisfied
Everybody loves a melodrama and the scandal of a lie
Still you held your arms open
For the prodigal daughter
I see my eyes in your eyes through my eyes
Still waters
Still waters
After the battles and we're still around
Everything once up in the air has settled down
Sweep the ashes let the silence find us
A moment of peace is worth every war behind us
You and me of the 10,000 wars
The lyrics of Indigo Girls' song "You and Me of the 10,000 Wars" express a deep reflection on the struggles and divisions of life. The song seems to suggest that our existence is split into two factions: pleasure and chores. We have beds to make and lie in, and we aim for a better place, which is Zion. Along the way, we have the heart of a skeptic and the mind of a child, which leads us to imagine the world in ways that may not necessarily be true. We become cemented in our beliefs, but our heart and mind remain parallel, never intersecting.
The song also alludes to the dissatisfied versus the satisfied. Everyone loves a scandal and drama, but the prodigal daughter looks for satisfaction in peaceful waters - somehow with the mother's love that she feels in her eyes. Humans have a tendency to take different sides and judge each other, and even in the face of differences, the mother character opens her arms to her daughter, the prodigal child. This is a sign of reconciliation and forgiveness.
The lyrics in the song suggest that peace is always possible, even after the battles have ended. Sweeping the ashes and letting silence find us might lead us to a moment of peace, which makes all the wars worth fighting. Overall, this song seems to emphasize the importance of finding harmony amid division and the importance of forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
you and me of the 10,000 wars
Despite all the conflicts and struggles we face in life, it is you and me against the world.
dividing life into factions of pleasure and chores
Life can be divided into enjoyable activities or mundane tasks, creating a divide in how we spend our time.
a bed to be made and a bed to lie in
There are responsibilities and consequences to our actions, such as needing to make our own beds and being comfortable with the choices we have made.
a hand in the darker side
We each have a connection to the negative aspects of life, whether it be our own flaws or the hardships we face.
and our sights set on zion
Despite everything, we still have hope for something better and keep our eyes on a brighter future.
the heart of a skeptic and the mind of a child
We are often torn between our adult skepticism and our desire for youthful optimism and wonder.
put my life in a box and let my imagination run wild
We must balance our practical reality with the limitless possibilities of our imagination.
pour the cement for my feet
We feel trapped and stuck in our lives, unable to move forward or make changes.
the heart and the mind on a parallel course
Our emotions and thoughts can exist separately even if they are both a part of our being.
never the two shall meet
Despite our innate desire for them to intersect, our logic and emotions often remain separate from each other.
and oh the dissatisfied with the satisfied
There will always be those who desire more and feel unfulfilled, while others are content with what they have.
everybody loves a melodrama and the scandal of a lie
We are drawn to sensational stories and the allure of deception, even if they are harmful to others.
still you held your arms open for the prodigal daughter
Despite all our flaws and mistakes, there are still those who love and accept us unconditionally.
i see my eyes in your eyes through my eyes
We are all connected and see ourselves reflected in others.
still waters
Peaceful moments can be found even in the midst of chaos and turmoil.
try making one and one make one
We attempt to create unity and wholeness out of disparate and conflicting parts.
twist the shapes until everything comes undone
Our attempts at finding harmony can sometimes lead to chaos and unraveling.
watch the wizard behind the curtain
We become aware of the lies and illusions that surround us, revealing the true source of power and control.
the larger than life and the power of seeming certain
Those who exude great confidence and certainty often hold a lot of sway over others, even if they are not always truthful or well-intentioned.
the evil ego and the vice of pride
Our own egos and pride can lead us down a path of selfishness and destruction.
is there ever anything else that makes us take our different sides
Our differing views and opinions are often rooted in our own personal experiences and biases.
i wanted everything to feed me
We have an insatiable desire for more and constantly seek out things to fulfill us.
about as full as i got was of myself
Despite our attempts at filling ourselves up, we often only become full of our own egos and self-interest.
and the upper echalons of mediocrity
We can sometimes find ourselves striving for things that are ultimately unfulfilling or meaningless.
after the battles and we're still around
Despite all the conflicts we face in life, we still manage to survive and persevere.
everything once up in the air has settled down
After the chaos of life, there is often a sense of calm and stability that follows.
sweep the ashes let the silence find us
In the aftermath of a difficult experience, we must take time to reflect and find peace in the quiet moments.
a moment of peace is worth every war behind us
The moments of peace and stillness we find after difficult times are invaluable and provide a sense of reward and relief.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: EMILY ANN SALIERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind