Closer To Fine

The Indigo Girls' song 'Closer To Fine' is a profound exploration of the human quest for meaning and the acceptance of life's inherent uncertainties. The lyrics reflect a journey of self-discovery, where the narrator seeks insight and understanding through various means—doctors, mountains, children, and fountains. The song suggests that the pursuit of definitive answers often leads to more confusion, and it is in the acceptance of ambiguity that one finds peace. The line 'The less I seek my source for some definitive, closer I am to fine' encapsulates this sentiment, emphasizing that letting go of the need for absolute answers brings a sense of relief and clarity.

The song also delves into the dichotomy between darkness and lightness, portraying darkness as an insatiable hunger and lightness as a subtle, hard-to-hear call. This metaphor highlights the struggle between despair and hope, and the difficulty of maintaining a positive outlook amidst life's challenges. The imagery of wrapping fear around oneself like a blanket and sailing a ship of safety until it sinks illustrates the protective mechanisms people use to shield themselves from fear, only to find that these mechanisms can ultimately lead to their downfall. The act of crawling on the shores symbolizes a return to vulnerability and a willingness to face life's uncertainties head-on.

Moreover, 'Closer To Fine' touches on the societal pressures to conform to certain standards of success and knowledge. The reference to the 'doctor of philosophy' with a poster of Rasputin and a long beard serves as a critique of academic and intellectual elitism. The narrator's realization that spending years in pursuit of higher knowledge did not bring the expected clarity underscores the song's message that true understanding comes from within and through lived experiences. The repeated visits to various sources of wisdom and solace, including bars and bibles, further emphasize the idea that there is no single path to enlightenment, and that each person's journey is unique and valid.