Indigo Girls Talk About The Story Behind ‘Closer to Fine’ And Why It Resonates Today | TODAY

The Grammy-winning Indigo Girls’ irresistible smash hit “Closer to Fine” is still a fan favorite more than 30 years after its release. In our new music series “Hitmakers,” the two tell the story behind the song and how it stood the test of time. Created by TODAY with our sponsor Citi.» Subscribe to TODAY: on.today.com/SubscribeToTODAY
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Indigo Girls Talk About The Story Behind ‘Closer to Fine’ And Why It Resonates Today | TODAY

[@djc728]

How can you not relate to "The best thing you've ever done for me is to help me take my life less seriously - it's only life after all". I love that line. I've never seen them in concert but I hope they continue to perform. It's on my bucket list. :)

[@marcalvarez4890]

That line may or may not be sarcastic. Hence the "huh" right after it, like its a joke.

[@barbarahallowell2613]

To me it's just a caring laugh out in a beautiful song Really. Not that much needs to be taken so seriously ❤😊❤ Like she said Dind your own voice

[@steeleye2112]

2 of the best songwriters of any age, timeless, moving and intelligent.

[@maryg.1014]

Seriously. The songs they wrote in the 80s resonate so strongly today. I saw them last night after not listening to their music for some time and it was a powerful experience.

[@ellenharvischak6550]

Amen to that! Brilliant writers

[@darrelldog5]

Great songwriters. Not to mention their amazing harmonies. Some of the best in the business. It's not surprising that Heart was such an influence on the Indigo Girls!

[@chironOwlglass]

I was born with holes in my skull that make my brain perceive sounds as my body moving. For a long time, I absolutely could not tell what direction a sound was coming from. It was a big source of stress in my life, and it made experience feel fundamentally unreal. After doing closed captioning professionally for several years, I was finally able to cobble together a sense of the origin of sounds from a directional standpoint. I had heard "Closer to Fine" before that, but I listened to it again recently (with my new and improved ability to tell where sounds were coming from), and there was a brief moment that was so powerful and so healing to me, near the climax of the song where (in the original video/recording) suddenly, there was a great crowd of people singing, rather than the two vocalists. It was recorded such that the sound of all these voices singing together was coming from behind the listener. The experience of feeling like there was a crowd of people behind me singing together was incredibly grounding and calming. I hadn't had a bunch of people singing behind me since childhood (school and church). It hit me on a very primal level, this sense of feeling safe because I was part of a community. In these times where we can't actually touch each other (or be within six feet of each other), it was a powerful experience to feel like I was surrounded by a loving community.

[@SmoothCinnamonX]

Thank you for sharing your inspiring story! :)

[@Fran_Glass]

This is really beautiful Clay and so well written. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Amazing.

[@Fran_Glass]

You gave me joyful tears a little bit.

[@heydeanie]

💕

[@charlesarmstrongii6843]

Yy

[@remygarrison1451]

Im a 67 yr old heterosexual man and I have loved these girls since 1989 and have seen them 5 times in concert. Their music moved me then and moves me still.

[@skippy9659]

Their empathy and intelligence .. so refreshing

[@citizenlbt8735]

I could listen to Amy's voice all day. She has such power and soul..

[@eddieboyky]

I first heard "Closer to Fine" when i was in the throes of coming out. I was young, lost, confused and uncertain about the future. This song brought a great deal of comfort and peace to me. I played it repeatedly.

[@archerblake1418]

What a cosmic gift that these voices - and more importantly souls - found each other -- thank the Universe - sometimes it gives with both hands

[@msoiseth3419]

This song has the right combination of depth and still catchiness. For some reason it speaks to me. I'm a 68 year old man.

[@tootstoyou1]

Hah !! Speaks to me as well !! I have it on a special playlist of catchy with meaning. I’m a 68 year old woman 🙀

[@tommartin5502]

@@tootstoyou1 63 year old man, saw the Indigo Girls in 1990 at Johnny Mercer theater, in Savannah - a real treat because it only had 3000 seats. They closed the show with Joan Baez, doing Bob Dylan's "Tangled Up In Blue." They got a well deserved standing ovation. Their music is sublime and powerful, and many of their songs bring tears - the passages of time really do that , but just saw them again in North Charleston. Mind blown. Again.

[@JAB1979]

@Tom Martin I have seen them 22 times, but I've never seen Tangled Up In Blue, live. I am beyond jealous.

[@raffikivoncastle8141]

I was turned on to the Indigo Girls by another tech friend of mine. I also got to see them in concert several times. I lost a girl I was dating by taking her to an Indigo Girls concert; she thought it was really weird that I liked this band. Which was OK by me, since I couldn't understand how anyone could NOT enjoy this band, especially a woman I was going to have a relationship with. Also a big fan of Dar Williams. Trying to insult me by asking me "What are you, some college girl?" won't work. I totally agree with the message of Dar's "When I Was A Boy" ( for me, a girl; I just wasn't a stereotypical boy at all ) And I'm only 65, now.

[@ekaterini2957]

This song and the music of these ladies got me through my early adulthood -- thanks for posting this. So many years later their music still just pulls at my soul. So thankful that these ladies have continued to bring their gifts to the world.

[@DianeLStyma]

Ditto

[@sherribeth7187]

It's one of those songs that it's amazingly insightful to be written by someone so young. Like so many Indigo Girls songs, it has aged so well and speaks to me again and again throughout my life.

[@hectorlp1298]

Darkness has a hunger that's insatiable and lightness has a call that's hard to hear. What a line!

[@marcenepinkerton5031]

This line is so very deep

[@spankynater4242]

I don’t know, sometimes I wish lightness would just shut up. Yak yak yak, and never about anything consequential.

[@benjaminperez7328]

@@spankynater4242 Balance is the key. Problem is, for depressed people the scales aren’t equal.

[@spankynater4242]

@@benjaminperez7328 Why are you bringing weight into this? Don't fat-shame.

[@benjaminperez7328]

@@spankynater4242 🫵🏼🤡

[@sabrynrudinoff4196]

one of the best songs ever written. she is a poet!

[@dheather1]

These women are amazing. This song helped me through a lot!

[@erinmalone2669]

This song instantly takes me to college. Timeless song and great performers who seem so humble and low key I their genius

[@rebeccaoravec5349]

As far as i am concernd we you both are both ascended beings. You music has given me so much insight

[@rwbrown1904]

I love this song ! I had it on a cassette tape and played it to death until the tape disintegrated.

[@ineedanewname9595944]

LOVE!!! The indigo girls!! My heroes!!!❤

[@DateTwoRelate]

International treasures. May they sing and play forever. For ALL people.

[@shannonmb3930]

OMG...I'm SO stoked I bumped into this video to hear words of how you came about writing the song, and just a glimpse of you as persons...sooo awesome...this album was the soundtrack of a time that meant so much for me....such beautiful memories....thank you....

[@carapeekspraggins7471]

Always love these ladies.. one of my fave soundtracks that hit me like a Ton of bricks in 1993, and still just as life relevant as then today

[@mjd111]

Whether they are communicating through their music or their actions these two women are Rockstars & Folkstars !! 💯☮️❣️🤙

[@BillFurlong]

Very sweet and sincere words spoken here. They are legends.

[@mecca337]

This is my ish!!! So happy to see the Indigo Girls again

[@stephaniemackey2144]

I got to see you live in the early 90's, your music touched me like poetry and has continued to support me into adulthood. Whenever I'm having a bad day I listen to your music.

[@schretzezgurl]

Still killing it after all these years!!! What absolutely amazing advice....Find your OWN voice. Love it! Thank you.

[@katwashere194]

I remember the first time I saw the video for this song on VH 1 I immediately went to the record store and bought the cd. As a female musician I was inspired! The way they just thrashed on those acoustic guitars. It sounds crazy now but all the women at the time were softly strumming or picking and the indigo girls were so refreshing! I’ve seen them 8 times now over the years! Glad they are still creating

[@rp338]

I was in a group home in my late teens and anyone in any kind of treatment really latched onto this song. I wanted to run when someone brought out a guitar. Great song but my memories attached to it are complicated.

[@henley7012]

I've always loved that song. I was thrilled to see it renewed and reintroduced to a whole new generation in the smash hit movie Barbie. It couldn't happen to nicer people than the Indigo Girls.

[@jamessandsmark226]

I can remember singing this song along a hiking trail in Rocky Mountain National park while my wife and I accompanied a group of camp kids in the summer in 1991. Love the Indigo Girls, so many great songs. Only got to see them live once when they did a concert for Winona LaDuke and the White Earth Nation here in Fargo.

[@michaelsix9684]

has great melody and it's a totally flawless song

[@cgreacen]

Listened to this song on a cassette tape often when I was a student at Reed college in late 80s and early 90s. It resonated then, and still resonates. Great to see the Indigo Girls now 30+ years later, with middle aged bodies of my contemporaries, singing and reflecting. Thank you!

[@fledaring5054]

Thank You Indigo Girls!!! Wow. Over thirty years of your music. I’ve savored your wisdom, sounds, talents and insights for over three decades and I’m not sure I ever realized there were so many who love you as I do. I’d never even thought of it. I’ve been selfish with your music. It’s been on every song list I’ve ever created and is always played. Driving in my auto, housework, yardwork, art work (I’m a visual artist), you are always there. Thank You! I have truly needed you and you were always there. I’m looking forward to finishing out my life with you right there with me- whenever this days are gone. I cannot say that about many musicians. You taught me. You have always taught me. And I will learn more from you. Always loyal and loving. -Just another lover of your music and power. ❤

[@rws91942]

I will forever try to song to era of my life that occurred long after the song came out. It was definitely my coming into adulthood song.

[@lastdaysguitar]

I'll tell you something: when I first heard this song and the EXCELLENT album it is on, I equated them to the female version of Simon & Garfunkle ...and that is no small praise.

[@Luverofmysoul2]

I love this oh so much, Galileo is just so beautiful

[@TIMOTHYMLAWLOR]

I first heard this song in the summer of 1989 on a Walk-man, on my way to a particularly difficult class in State College PA. I've been a lifelong fan ever since. "There's more than one answer to these questions pointing me in a crooked line!" I was just stunned.

[@markavell7111]

I'm 64 and thank you for your Rock!!! I've played since I was seven. Drums at 12 but Guitar changed my World. Much love and Peace.

[@Brooklynbabe78]

I love this song I was 11 at the time this song came out I just graduated from grade school in NYC where I'm from and about to start junior high that fall

[@benschaeffer8102]

This is THE Indigo Girls song that changed my perspective on "folk music" and gave me a deep and lasting respect for them. ❤️🎵🎶

[@DianeLStyma]

The video makes me so happy too! I rewatch it on you tube big screen and it reminds me of so much! Thank u

[@sheilawoolard178]

Your music brought me comfort after I came out in 1996. My son and I would sing along to your song when we were in the car. Thank you for sharing your gift with us.

[@kayrichardson2520]

Love the Indigo girls!!! Always have always will!!!!

[@nydiamarrero8318]

Even Barbie resonates with this song! You were my inspiration and the inspiration of so many. Every time you were performing in Northampton MA I went to see you! THANK YOU!

[@laurad324]

They are heaven on earth.

[@ninalovada]

Love the indigo girls!!!

[@kat65tutko99]

My baby dedicated this song to me!! Miss you Lin! 🌸

[@agirly1503]

Love these ladies ❤

[@deborahcurrier-mata920]

Just saw them live Sunday for the first time in 25 years accompanied by my teen who taught herself guitar during covid. Still mesmerizing!! And still remember the first time I heard Closer To Fine...

[@willownightsong]

i loved listening to this song in the nineties . It really reminded me of my spirituality. And i ve kept listening to this song until now and beyond.

[@brentbeacham9691]

Love um… for all their music.

[@michaelsix9684]

such a great song, love it, so glad they've done so much great music

[@cyndiaraujo1976]

INDIGO GIRLS - CLOSER TO FINE. Love you both.

[@TampaFanatic1]

Great interview ladies.. I have a daughter at FSU who is in a relationship with her room mate. You guys gave her the courage to tell me and her Mom. She was so nervous but I am so proud of her! She is a brave young lady to come out and her Mom feels the same way! Anyhow, thank you for letting young women know that their personal choices are okay! Love the song as well, y'all are great!

[@jaycestraub7722]

Not a choice folks, period!

[@rebeccaoravec5349]

All of your girls music is and has been amazing

[@veronicaoliver5172]

Bravo! Bravo! Thank you ladies! Much love!

[@tams4008]

They'll always be the most coolest chicks on the planet!

[@jesuslove2139]

Can’t love this more

[@robertkraljii5048]

Their songs are very well-crafted. No throw away lyrics and great melodies .

[@deanmetz5680]

Will always love y'all. This song gave me solace and comfort. Thank you.

[@jake105]

Love this song. Love your album. My buddy from the ship we were stationed on came to visit me after I got orders to London England in 1990. He brought your cd with him and his older brother. We played it a lot while he was here. I taped it. I still have the cassette. I still listen to it. His brother stole my hoodie! But I got some beautiful music I would otherwise have missed.

[@phoenixmoon3]

Love them sooo much.

[@vapues873]

Love you all!

[@Jackmack365]

Love them love them 🙏🏼🇬🇧

[@christinakraftician]

I could go on and on about how this song is a masterpiece and speaks to all. I wont. All you need to know is I just bust out singing the song whenever and where-ever I hear it. The last time was when I heard it at the Barbie movie. I couldn’t resist.

[@aliyamoon80]

They’re amazing! Always!

[@stacym735]

I'm trying to think of adequate words for how much this moves me, and I'm failing. So I'll just say Bravo! And, thank you.

[@ineedanewname9595944]

That first album got me through high school. Thank you!!!!!!

[@missnyssah8048]

They got me thru everything...😅

[@josephr.lejeune4539]

Thank you for such a beautiful song that really does remain relevant, moving and has a sacredness that continues to lifts me up. Rock on sweet beauties! ❤

[@walstib4945]

I love them!

[@annevanlingen2785]

Love them 💙

[@spindletopcenter]

I'm a cis, straight, white woman and this song changed my life

[@heydeanie]

Awesome! It's super important when people who don't have to acknowledge the importance of Something, choose to do it anyway

[@edhanke8080]

thank you for the great music.

[@alivaldes7671]

Still holds up

[@shondrawhite9317]

Barbie brought me here to the indigo girls. I'm so very grateful to her💖👛💄👠👒. This song is my new mantra. I listen to it everyday...thank you ladies. I'm now closer to fine. And standing for the lookout.

[@xxStarkissed]

I love them so much ❤

[@ktmcclary5889]

Love since the beginning…Auburn’89

[@shirleybelinski5946]

U 2 rock

[@ineedanewname9595944]

Love!❤❤❤

[@Jessicaunarex]

Lovely ladies.

[@ForcesInMotion]

Good lord, I LOVE these women. Amazing musicians! They've got a lot of great tunes, over a long period of time, and this is acknowledged and known. I'm not a musicologist, and haven't done any layman research, but seems to me what hasn't been acknowledged is their influence. This tune in particular, it's vocal lines and use of counterpoint mixed w/ simultaneously overlapping differing lyrics (as opposed to straight harmonies sung in the same rhythms w/ same lyrics/words) was rare, if not completely unprecedented, in singer/songwriter folk music at that time (1989). I found it to be innovative and clearly very organic for these two. You can hear it's influence in, say, The Story's masterful Everything But The Circus just two years later. Love, love, love Indigo Girls!!!

[@HAEPukulele]

Wow ❤ Love them 😍

[@marg22az]

Right on AZ here.

[@sonamwillow8999]

I love #indigogirls music ans thoughts

[@MissesCakes]

I love them.

[@OliOx814]

I feel so lucky that IG have been part of my musical and life track. They are magnificent!

[@lorettamurphy7119]

The Indigo Girls are Great..Closer I AM To FINE...🎸🎶

[@barbarahallowell2613]

And there is that kind sweet bit of Hothouse Flowers hanging up on those notes This was my theme of exiting Uni in 1989 late

[@JaygeSattler]

Came out the year I was born!! And I'm feeling fine about that!

[@carolroman2097]

that character of Emily's shirt is like a haunted thing, it seems to move and wave it's arm in the air as she plays! lol Love then so much.

[@scotnca]

Beautiful ❤️

[@bossman6100]

Awesome ✊🏻

[@user-pb3si9vg9o]

この曲でファンになりました。この曲のvideo clipを録画したものをビデオデッキで繰り返し見てました。CDももちろん買いました。30年経っても、良い曲だなぁとしみじみ思います。インディゴガールズの曲を聴くと、とても懐かしい気持ちになります。英語はよくわからないものの、歌詞カードを見ながら一緒に歌ったり、どういった意味なのか考えてみたり。 今もインディゴガールズのお二人が元気に活動しているのを大変嬉しく思っています😊

[@paulmoss418]

I wish you'd come to the West coast

[@shecraftseverywhere3250]

As a musician their words about practice and finding yourself really strike me because I’ve thought about both of those things so much. Man they’re wise.

[@rebeccaoravec5349]

Ministrie to my heart at soul

[@GemMorrisMV]

Please someone explain to me what is meant by "the less I search my source for some definitive". Absolutely LOVE the Indigo Girls!!

[@queenjustine66]

According to someone on songmeanings.com/songs/view/48263/, Emily Saliers, who wrote the song, said the "song is about not beating yourself up too hard to get your answer from one place. There's no panacea, that in order to be balanced or feel closer to fine it's okay to draw from this or to draw from that, to draw from a bunch of different sources. So it's about being confused but looking for the answers, and in the end knowing that you're going to be fine. No seeking just one definitive answer."

[@DianeLStyma]

I’ve always interpreted it as religious because Emily grew up with a pastor dad . Me too well I was super evangelical Christian in my high school years and I closed all doors to any non- Christian sources. But my struggle to “ come out” clashed a lot with the black & white of 1980 Christianity. Now I am feeling more fulfilled joyful like The indigo girls!

[@heydeanie]

I always took it as either religious meaning or a parental meaning. Since that would also be your source. So the last person's answer would fit both my thoughts.

[@swarden2]

…to me, it gave me peace, in that it meant (to me): stop thinking there is ONE right answer to ANYTHING in this life; or ONE “correct” way to live or do…past, present or future. (The less you seek your God for a definitive answer, the closer you are to finding & LIVING a true answer) = Compassion. All is impermanent; all humans fragile; Have compassion toward ALL, past & present & future…including YOU.

[@janetweatherly]

The Indigo Girls are proof positive that you have to look a certain way to make it big. Their music is so good and should have been given a much bigger platform than they had.

[@Liberty2357]

The thing that will blow your mind is if they did make it big would it have ruined them?

[@janetweatherly]

@@Liberty2357 i guess we will never know.

[@Joela393]

They literally got a grammy lol

[@brookeyarber957]

They have “made it big” and it didn’t ruin them so they have stayed with their roots and not turned into generic “superstars.” That’s what I love about them. I can relate to them and they’re accessible. They’re not untouchable. They’re humble and they are in touch with what’s important to them and trying to make a difference.

[@setialphasix]

First of all, what the hell's wrong with the way they look? Second of all, they made it HUGE. They won a Grammy, headlined the Lilith Fair, one of the biggest concert events in music history, and have achieved an enormous following of millions. How much bigger do they need to make it to qualify for your definition of making it big, lol?

[@liianabanana6320]

Still amazing

[@pedrorabeje4019]

I'm on S4E9 of "Stranger Things" and I paused to think about what my "Running Up That Hill" would be - you know, the song to play if I needed to be pulled out of the dark. At first I thought it would be something by The Beatles, or Bob Dylan, or Jimi Hendrix. But no, it has to be this 30 plus year old classic by the Indigo Girls.