In the late '80s, when the singer/songwriter genre was getting a shot in the arm, the Indigo Girls' folksy tunes and vulnerable lyrics made them a sensation. Their powerful, substantive songwriting earned them many accolades and fans, and ultimately laid the ground for a long and prolific career.

Emily Saliers and Amy Ray are the duo that make up the Indigo Girls. They met in Atlanta in 1985, and released their debut album just two years later. Unfortunately, it sold poorly, but their self-titled follow-up generated much interest. A guest spot by Michael Stipe on "Kid Fears" helped tremendously, opening doors to the college crowd and earning them many new fans. It ranked number 22 on the Billboard 200--not bad for a little band with one hot album.

Part of their immediate appeal was the duo's unique working arrangement. Rather than working on songs together, they wrote their own individual songs. By turn, their albums were shared works, with each artist's personality coming through on the songs they wrote.

They would record frequently, expanding their subject matter to include social and global issues, but also focusing on the personal. On their third record, Nomads Indians and Saints, the song "You and Me of the 10,000 Wars" examined the dramatic pains of being in a relationship with an emotional authority that resonated deeply with listeners.

"You and me of the 10,000 wars/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 song goes. The excellent writing that can be found on Indigo Girls records made them favorites for anyone who enjoys music for the head and the heart.

Their albums continued to explore such issues, and captivated their listeners.