Indigo Girls - Hammer And A Nail (Official Video)

[@mollycesaretti6211]

My stepmom introduced me to the Indigo Girls when I was 12 years old, as my mom and dad were getting divorced and I was really struggling with the life changes that brings for a kid. If I remember right, Hammer and A Nail was the first song on the Indigo Girls CD that my stepmom lent to me. When I was happy, or having a tough day, I'd toss the CD in my brand new CD player (which I had received less than a year earlier) for my birthday. Music by IG never fails to bring a smile to my face and gets me singing along. When I was 13 or 14, my mom and stepmom took me to my very first live rock concert - Lilith Fair. I sang at the top of my lungs while the Indigo Girls played their set. Then, when I was in high school, I even started learning Closer to Fine on my acoustic guitar. The IG and their beautiful music have made my life a much better place; I can barely imagine my teen years without them and their fantastic melodies.

[@iris089]

Your mom and stepmom took you to a concert?

[@mollycesaretti6211]

@@iris089 Yes - my mom and stepmom took me to a concert; actually, we went to some other concerts together as well. My mom and stepmom were a committed couple for about 12-13 years, before LGBT marriage was legalized. 💗🏳️‍🌈💗

[@iris089]

@@mollycesaretti6211 ok that make sense. I first thought your stepmom was the new wife of your dad after they divorced. Thanks for clarifying.

[@waytoobiased]

Artist checks out

[@thrjfi5360]

Well show us you playing to see how your doin

[@hansuatx]

I'm a evangelical charismatic Anglican and I hear the gospel in most indigo girl songs

[@lightstruckproduction2325]

Funny, you discover a song and feel you are the only one who hears the magic in it, especially a song that doesn't get a lot of air play. But then you check it out on KZbin 32 years later and see you were not alone.

[@elliot5484]

I’m only 13 but my mom loves the indigo girls and so do I.

[@kirkkicklighter1772]

I worked for Habitat for Humanity in the early 90s and volunteers played this song often. My first memory of it is from a Spring Break build in NYC’s Alphabet City in 1991. We were renovating an old burned out tenement building. I was running a morning briefing to start the day. But I was pretty tired and yawning a bit, as were a lot of us near the end of the week. I asked if anyone had any announcements. A female student from the University of Vermont yelled out, “Yeah I have a little something to share.” Then she popped a cassette of the Indigo Girls recent album into a boom box. She had preset the cassette to this song. I’d never heard the song before! And suddenly the student, this blonde pixie with a big personality, was moving around the room waving a hammer over her head like a baton to this tune. The group went crazy whooping and clapping. I’ve loved the song ever since. It has a special place in my heart. It always makes me come alive to the possibilities of hope, of doing things differently. In other words, it wakes me up - just like it did that bleary grey morning in March, 1991.

[@teaganblackburn]

What an awesome little slice of life!

[@clayjackson2833]

This video needs about 40 million more views.

[@iris089]

Let's start putting them on the first 1M.

[@thrjfi5360]

Song is under appreciated. The girls too.

[@misterspaceman9563]

This song is an anchor for a recovering alcoholic. Every time I hear it I'm reminded of the joys of this sober life I get to live.

[@SHALAt22]

The lyrics are so meaningful so practical for everyday self-therapy. ....get out of bed and do something, in my case to avoid to 'think myself to jail.' get out of your routine and do something different...and when in doubt, dance to it.

[@michael3874]

"Not just my head, I'll think myself into jail ..." Loved this when it came out - appreciate it even more now.

[@gigidayz6936]

Sames! Seeing these two tomorrow night!

[@iris089]

What exactly does it mean?

[@stinkobinko]

Was scrolling by your comment at the exact time they were singing it. Cool. I hope you're well!

[@PhoebeFayRuthLouise]

The Indigo Girls create joy in my heart! Always have!

[@bartlebyscrivener674]

Great song when yer feeling sorry for yourself.

[@tomsparks6099]

Love this song, takes me back to a place in the 90's. I felt stronger then. Listening it to it now remains an inspiration to me.

[@gangofeagles5818]

Love 'em so much. They changed my life.

[@morrigankasa570]

Their music can speak to/be appreciated by many different people across the political spectrum & by both Men and Women as well as different sexualities. I'm a 31 year old Bisexual Man who is Politically Independent yet I enjoy this music.

[@mercedessanroman8264]

This song couldn't be more beautiful 😍 "Gotta tend the earth if you want a rooooooOOOOOSE". Thank you, Indigo Girls ❤️

[@strawberryseason]

This is my favorite Indigo Girl song of all time. Emily is a great songwriter. She is so cute in this video.

[@bigbro44]

One of the great songs of all time. Just as good as the first time I heard it.

[@nlcsmvp96]

Street person, my responsibility. Makes me cry every time.

[@maxpower2542]

Emily has one of the most amazing voices.

[@timothypane2267]

WORDS TO LIVE BY

[@ShadowStar-_143_]

Awesome Song and Band

[@LethiaPage]

I love Indigo Girls. I have listened to them for years! Great guitars, great harmonies. Great lyrics!!

[@beaurzaiz]

"Now I know a refuge never grows", man, I've experienced that, and I somehow feel grateful that Amy and Emily put those thoughts into words in such and amazing song... I'm currently out of that hell that was my late teenage and early adulthood years, but I'll always remember that line. It shaped me into what I am now and I feel proud... I guess I feel proud of having fought and having gotten out of my fake and ever-shrinking refuge.

[@gwynnielsen5081]

The Indigo Girls are way underrated. Their lyrics are particularly intelligent.

[@themysticmuse1111]

Brilliant song writing.🔥❤️ Been a fan from the get go. They hit different when you're 51. (And battling a life threatening illness.) Have had Watershed, and Closer To Fine, on repeat all am. Revisiting. Just WOW. Old souls you are.... So wise. So beautiful. Hearts of gold.❤️🙏🔥 You've made a difference on this yucky planet. Thanks guys. You rock!! Nuttin' but love and respect!!🔥🙏❤️😘

[@raelovesbooks3010]

90’s music is awesome

[@leexster]

A simple message presented in lyrics that flow so well and resonate so much. Couple that with a hell-of-a-hook melody and there you have it...just another Indigo Girls masterpiece!

[@DianeLStyma]

True That!!!

[@mikebasil4832]

Yes, True That!!!

[@Tom-yg8ft]

The 90's were awesome!

[@SageWhite-Rose]

Greta certainly showed all of us that a little girl truly can make a difference. Great song and video. ❤

[@mountainharpie]

Lyrics still so profound, synchronistic, and in my soul. Thank you

[@thelanarchist6912]

love love love this one. Indigo Girls - Hammer And A Nail

[@joannabeldin1578]

I saw them in Denver in 1990. Love them always

[@4513kgh]

It's impossible to listen to this song and not feel your day getting better.

[@9608113]

I've loved their music for years. Reminds me of Paul Simon lyrics with the truth and intensity (and the harmony is excellent, too). I'm straight and have been to several of their concerts (they don't come near where I live very often) and took friends to introduce them to this sound. They loved it too. The music IS universal.

[@HeidiAHogan]

Always loved this song; makes me appreciate my hard-working husband who spent the better part of this Mother's Day on the tractor turning up the garden and then planting :)

[@quinlanmicheal]

Probably one of the finest lyricists I've come across.

[@MP-xf6gq]

So LOVE these artist.........for the past 30 years.

[@Msguidedchld]

I'm a manly Jarhead Marine and I've digged theses girls since my MSU days of 92' Food for the spirit. Thought about many references my two times in the Stan. There hasn't been many 'artists' who impress me. Hot, dazzling? Sexy. It's shit. It's a can of tuna on the shelf. I dig these girls.

[@sanjulienne]

WOW, no other word, WOW!!

[@leighwetterling7972]

If Habitat for Humanity doesn't have a theme song, this should definitely be it!

[@dianamilliard4722]

Always made me feel better! I love the Indigo Girls

[@clistybuie397]

Just saw them again in 2021 (with Ani DiFranco) and they are still amazing! One of the best concerts I've ever been to! Outside, dancing, singing at the top of our voices and omg they sounded AMAZING 🥰🥳 fanfreakintastic all around ❤️💯

[@tomaroony]

Ah, the song that made me a fan. I first heard this when driving home from work, listening to BBC radio's 'Roundtable', a review programme originally begun by Emperor Rosko (remember him? - now my age is showing). Got home and bored the proverbials off my wife enthusing about the song. Anyway, went out the next day, bought the album and fell in love with the Indigo Girls, as did the missus. A lot of good stuff from the girls since then, but this is still one of our favourites.

[@tyronenewman3179]

This is our first time listening to this...

[@SHALAt22]

when I hear this song I get up and dance.

[@Crazy86Girl]

find self feeling more immobile, when I think a little girl in the world can't do anything

[@angelaakins2574]

Their music and song meant so much to me 30 years ago. Now I feel even more deeply.

[@kurtcurtis2730]

Such a potent anthem

[@tomallen7699]

Fantastic harmonies

[@francrisp6614]

Saw these ladies for the first time in fremantle live just blew me away such talented musicians and songwriters

[@KUHNJERRY1]

great tune!!!

[@dingecibbs]

My favorite Indigo Girls tune by far...I think its the best they ever did.

[@iris089]

Power of Two is also a strong one

[@boiwonder3006]

Love y’all!!! Makes me feel uplifted every time

[@capesterpotsie2664]

Great tune!!! I remember this from college! I remember a few years later, I stumbled upon Amy Ray live in concert at a small venue in Northampton, MA. Between songs, she said one of the most profound and true statements ever. She said "it's not who you sleep with, it's how you think!" What a wise, talented, and beautiful woman.

[@Zazzigurl]

Love you both!

[@davidellis295]

💜🤠💜

[@FemWillow]

its hard to choose my all-time fave song of theirs, but this is CERTAINLY one of them. so inspiring, light, beautiful harmonies, all that and a message?? who could do better? :)

[@joecomer8275]

One of the best songs of the last 20 years or so of the 20th century!!!

[@alyburr6645]

I hadn't seen the mv for this song before but I absolutely love it and I think I'll have to watch it about ten more times tonight

[@jimrebr]

Fell in love with the Indigo Girls in 1986, when my friend, Molly loaned mea tape of theirs. I bought their cd’s immediately. My all time favorite IG song is Galileo. Amy & Emily are great 👍🏻

[@diamonddhk222]

love ya amy and emily! happy new years

[@jeanettealazzam2459]

Great video featuring the artist Todd Murphy and his studio

[@JotItDownQuick]

Clearing webs from the hovel a blistered hand on the handle of a shovel I've been digging too deep, I always do. I see my face on the surface I look a lot like narcissus A dark abyss of an emptiness Standing on the edge of a drowning blue. I look behind my ears for the green Even my sweat smells clean Glare off the white hurts my eyes Gotta get out of bed get a hammer and a nail Learn how to use my hands, not just my head I think myself into jail Now I know a refuge never grows From a chin in a hand in a thoughtful pose Gotta tend the earth if you want a rose. I had a lot of good intentions Sit around for fifty years and then collect a pension, Started seeing the road to hell and just where it starts. But my life is more than a vision The sweetest part is acting after making a decision I started seeing the whole as a sum of its parts. My life is part of the global life I'd found myself becoming more immobile When I'd think a little girl in the world can't do anything. A distant nation my community A street person my responsibility If I have a care in the world I have a gift to bring.

[@susanfritzel4055]

Always thought it was, “glare off the wide hurts my eyes”. Like wide-eyed = innocence

[@davidmontemayor1751]

3:02

[@loisraymcinnis6006]

Hearing this for the first time.

[@pkevinsushka2200]

Great one! Awesome video!

[@mftepera]

"gotta tend the earth if you want a rose"...applies to about anything in life

[@elizabethquan4702]

The sweetest part is acting after making a decision.

[@clayjackson2833]

Great song and a great video. This song should have gotten much more airplay. Expert songwriting. Don't always agree with their message, but I have grown to love these cool girls.

[@ronaldgarvin6852]

i love them

[@crazyNYClady]

this song just gets better every time I hear it...and I've loved it since it came out! LOVE THESE LADIES!!!!!!

[@quinlanmicheal]

Brilliant songs with great lyrics. Cant believe it only has 366,699 views

[@RaeZoladawn777]

thats because ppl are being brainwashed about what a song truly is they think it s a chalk marking on a rap sidewalk speaking for everybody and being repetitive I didnt grow up in a black community in New York I grew up close to Reserves in Canada and my Dad took us off reserve to try and give us a bigger view of the world

[@nancygeiser916]

The sweetest part really is acting after making a decision.. ...let him go...move on, girl. You are strong! (talking to myself)

[@iskandarbudi]

Best outro ever!!! Love love love!

[@joecomer8275]

I absolutely adore this song and the girls recording of it!!

[@irishbeaner]

My favorite. Loved this song the first time I heard it. It really helped me with the "down time" on my walkman in Panama and D Storm! Great lyrics with an intelligence shining through the fun music.

[@grungekid1539]

Just saw them last night

[@lolinthesky6777]

love

[@fastvette333]

My two favorite lesbians.

[@Kat-s5b]

Me too lmao!!

[@VictorEMusique]

Does anyone have a live version of Cara Mia? From the Shaming of the Sun CD?

[@2Startortoises]

🌹🕊️🔥♥️

[@LethiaPage]

When I hear this song, I think about Habitat for Humanity!

[@mollycesaretti6211]

Yes! I've never consciously thought about Habitat when I have listened, but now that you mention it.... :-D

[@timothypane2267]

Another great Athens band

[@EricB4020]

+Timothy Pane I believe they were from Atlanta

[@stamplax1173]

+Eric Brown Athens.

+Eric Brown Nope, Athens. Just like R.E.M.

[@mneil1793]

Decatur. Met as middle schoolers and re-united at Emory.

[@clecivoigt6453]

Timothy Pane

[@diamonddhk222]

makes ya love decatur

[@leonardyoung6821]

Amy is so cute in this video.

[@MIORIGAMI]

Gayly I claim with this smile, as I look at u straightly in the eye, these girl's have great talent! Go stereotype THAT!!! :-) Rock on Indigo!

[@diamonddhk222]

will never forget sitting with emily at aeverybodys pizza new years eve at emory village- god bless ya emily

[@Kat-s5b]

Perennial wisdom

[@chadjackson7955]

Good is good, I dont care who you are.

[@SamOgilvieJr]

Clearing webs from the hovel A blistered hand on the handle of a shovel I've been digging too deep, I always do I see my face on the surface I look a lot like Narcissus A dark abyss of an emptiness Standing on the edge of a drowning blue I look behind my ears for the green And even my sweat smells clean Glare off the white hurts my eyes I gotta get out of bed and get a hammer and a nail Learn how to use my hands, not just my head I think myself into jail Now I know a refuge never grows From a chin in a hand in a thoughtful pose Gotta tend the earth if you want a rose Had a lot of good intentions Sit around for fifty years and then collect a pension Started seeing the road to hell and just where it starts But my life is more than a vision The sweetest part is acting after making a decision I started seeing the whole as a sum of its parts And I, I look behind my ears for the green And even my sweat smells clean Glare off the white hurts my eyes I gotta get out of bed and get a hammer and a nail Learn how to use my hands, not just my head I think myself into jail Now I know a refuge never grows From a chin in a hand in a thoughtful pose Gotta tend the earth if you want a rose My life is part of the global life I'd found myself becoming more immobile When I'd think a little girl in the world can't do anything A distant nation my community A street person my responsibility If I have a care in the world I have a gift to bring I look behind my ears for the green And even my sweat smells clean Glare off the white hurts my eyes I gotta get out of bed and get a hammer and a nail Learn how to use my hands, not just my head I think myself into jail Now I know a refuge never grows From a chin in a hand in a thoughtful pose Gotta tend the earth if you want a rose Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Emily Ann Saliers Hammer and Nail lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group "If I have a care in the world, I have a gift to bring." Amen, Ladies

[@P0tH0le]

Randomly bought a cd of this from goodwill. Nice music not my style but pretty good

Backing vocals by Mary-Chapin Carpenter.

[@dgmisal1979]

Their music is enough to make me forgive their outfits... :) I love their stuff - so amazingly deep, but yet fun in a way that profundity often lacks.

[@LethiaPage]

And I think how proud I am to be an Indigo Loving Christian.

[@quarteracreadventures855]

Yet your religion would condemn them for their sexual orientation... SMH

[@camerondiaztwin]

No. Certain groups of people within it would. Not all of us. Get educated, Sandra.

[@PhoebeFayRuthLouise]

LethiaPage Same here!

[@davelee8961]

Me, too. I define my own Christianity. Loved them since 1989.

[@tmac8892]

Even my sweat smells clean.

[@sheldontapp3769]

Love the indigo girls. Great song writers. Great harmonies. Great musicians. Very uplifting music and music that has a message.

[@alanabrown5427]

2:32

[@winggoddess]

by the title, i thought it was going to be that song that goes "what's that they say about a ____ and a hammer?"

[@dinodogstar]

I think myself in a jail..my life is more than a vision..my life is part of the global life; i find myself becomeing immobile, when i think a little girl in the world can't do anything ... gotta tend the earth if you wanna grow. (smart snipets of the song to digest, memorize, and use)

[@sarahpamula778]

Dad, at what point did men leave Planet Earth, May 24,1988. My dad, as a Stock Broker was a bit of a theologian himself.

[@いちごゆざあ]

MTV! MTB!..?