He has released five albums and has spent the last eighteen years touring the country in his mother's Toyota Previa minivan, providing Canadians with a truly wild performance. He has shared the stage with acts like The Rheostatics, The Constantines, Cuff the Duke, The Silverhearts, The Guthries, and Joel Plaskett.
He has played such high profile schmooze fests like Halifax Pop Explosion, SappyFest (Sackville), Close to the Coast (Charlottetown), and Ranchfest (Vancouver).
He hopes one day to be rich and famous, buy a deep fryer for his bedroom, and finally dance with a girl when Stairway to Heaven is the last song of the night.
Bat In The House
B.A. Johnston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not your only friend
But I'm a little glowing friend
But really I'm not actually your friend
But I am.
*chorus*
Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Who watches over you
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
I've got a secret to tell
From my electrical well
It's a simple message and I'm leaving out theWhistles and bells
So the room must listen to me
Filibuster vigilantly
My name is blue canary one-word
Spelled l-I-t-e
My story's infinate
Like the Longines Symphonette
It doesn't rest
*chorus*
There's a picture opposite me
Of my primitive ancestry
Which stood on rocky shoresAnd kept the beaches shipwreck free
Though I respect that a lot
I'd be fired if that were my job
After killing Jason off andCountless screaming Argonauts
Bluebird of friendliness
Like guardian angels is always near
*chorus*
(and while you're at it
Leave the night light on inside theBirdhouse in your soul)
The lyrics to B.A. Johnston's "Bat in the House" are quite peculiar, as they tell the story of a little blue canary that watches over you and is not only a friend, but also not actually a friend. The chorus talks about making a little birdhouse in your soul, which serves as a safe place for the blue canary to reside while watching over you. The blue canary claims to have a secret message to share, and that its story is infinite, much like the Longines Symphonette. The song also mentions a picture of the blue canary's primitive ancestry that stood on rocky shores and kept the beaches safe.
While the lyrics may seem odd and confusing, they can be interpreted as a metaphor for our inner selves and the importance of having someone or something to watch over us. The blue canary can represent our inner voice or intuition, which often gets ignored or suppressed. The birdhouse in our soul is where we can find solace and listen to our inner voice.
Overall, "Bat in the House" is a quirky and unique song that encourages listeners to pay attention to their inner selves and seek comfort in their own birdhouse.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm your only friend
I might be the one and only person who's there with you.
I'm not your only friend
There are others who are also your friends.
But I'm a little glowing friend
I can be a comforting presence, shimmering like a light.
But really I'm not actually your friend
Truth be told, maybe we're not really friends, but it feels like it.
But I am.
Yet, still, I'm here for you.
Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Maybe I could be like the blue canary bird in the electric outlet next to the light switch.
Who watches over you
I could be someone who cares for and looks after you.
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
You should keep your soul safe by taking care of it, just like putting up a birdhouse.
Not to put too fine a point on it
I don't want to be overly dramatic, but...
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
I'm like your one and only true source of inspiration, like the only bee in your beehive hat.
I've got a secret to tell
There's something I need to share, something I need to get off my chest.
From my electrical well
It's something deep inside of me that I need to reveal, as if coming from a source deep within me.
It's a simple message and I'm leaving out the whistles and bells
It's a straightforward message, without any fancy, unnecessary additions.
So the room must listen to me
Everyone needs to pay attention to what I have to say.
Filibuster vigilantly
I need to keep talking and talking until everyone hears me, even if it means stalling or delaying other things.
My name is blue canary one-word
Let me introduce myself properly, by name and nickname.
Spelled l-I-t-e
That's how you spell it.
My story's infinite
I have a never-ending story to tell, full of twists and turns.
Like the Longines Symphonette
Perhaps like the popular music program from the past, I also have a long story to tell.
It doesn't rest
It's a story that can't be stopped, even when it needs a rest.
There's a picture opposite me
I'm looking at a picture across the room from me.
Of my primitive ancestry
It's a picture of my very first ancestors, a long time ago.
Which stood on rocky shores and kept the beaches shipwreck free
They protected boats from getting wrecked on the rocks near the shore.
Though I respect that a lot
I admire that they did this.
I'd be fired if that were my job
But if it were my job, I'd get fired for sure.
After killing Jason off and countless screaming Argonauts
This is a reference to a Greek myth, where a hero named Jason faced many challenges, including some Argonauts who screamed in fear. It's a joke that maybe I'm not cut out for that kind of work.
Bluebird of friendliness
I want to be the kind of friend who always brings kindness and joy, like a bluebird.
Like guardian angels is always near
Just like a guardian angel, I want to always be there supporting you.
And while you're at it, leave the night light on inside the birdhouse in your soul
As a small request, could you also keep a light on for your own soul, so it stays bright and happy?
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN FLANSBURGH, JOHN LINNELL, JOHN C. FLANSBURGH, JOHN S. LINNELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind