Originally part of short-lived Chicago group I Rowboat, Johnson and two of his fellow Rowboat members, guitarist Dan Strack and drummer Brian Belval, created Fruit Bats as a side-project. When I Rowboat split up, Fruit Bats became Johnson's main focus. Spurred on by Califone/Perishable Records honchos Tim Rutili and Ben Massarella, the group recorded their first album, Echolocation, released in 2001.
After tours with Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, Modest Mouse and The Shins, Fruit Bats signed with Sub Pop in late summer 2002, recording their second album, 2003's Mouthfuls, which included new bandmate Gillian Lisee.
After relocating to Seattle, the group released their third album, Spelled in Bones, in 2005. Afterward, Eric D. Johnson played with The Shins and Vetiver. In 2008, the Fruit Bats began working together again, with revised membership of Johnson, Christopher Sherman, Ron Lewis, Graeme Gibson, and Sam Wagster. In 2009, they released The Ruminant Band and in 2011 came Tripper.
In November 2013, Eric D. Johnson announced he would be dissolving Fruit Bats. That month they played what was to be their farewell show at a sold out Aladdin Theatre in Portland, OR. The following year Johnson released an album under the name EDJ.
Reforming in 2015, Fruit Bats released their sixth official full-length LP, Absolute Loser, in 2016 via newly formed Los Angeles-based label Easy Sound.
Fruit Bats signed to North Carolina-based independent label Merge Records in 2018. Also in 2018, Johnson formed the folk group Bonny Light Horseman with Josh Kaufman and Anais Mitchell.
In 2019 Fruit Bats’ Merge debut "Gold Past Life" was released.
Fruit Bats’ 2020 album The Pet Parade was produced by Johnson's Bonny Light Horseman bandmate Josh Kaufman.
In 2021, Fruit Bats released a full-album cover of Smashing Pumpkins' 1993 record Siamese Dream.
The Fruit Bats’ double-disc, 20-year career retrospective "Sometimes A Cloud Is Just a Cloud: Slow Growers, Sleeper Hits and Lost Songs" was released in 2022.
Beautiful Morning Light
Fruit Bats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And lay your head upon my rattling chest
Give your lovely lonesome head a rest
In the beautiful morning light
Press your lips upon this hornet's kiss
And I will blow the tiny spider off your wrist
You're the only one I wish to lay here with
In the foggy waning dawn
We breathe frosty breath upon
The branches of the holy tree
Just you and me up here
Climb up with me to the monkey's nest
And lay your head upon my rattling chest
Give your lovely lonesome head a rest
In the beautiful morning light
The first verse of this song, "Climb up with me to the monkey's nest / And lay your head upon my rattling chest / Give your lovely lonesome head a rest / In the beautiful morning light," creates an image of a shared intimate moment between two people. The singer invites someone to climb up to the monkey's nest with them, symbolizing a place where they can take a break from the busy world and be with each other. The "rattling chest" is likely the singer's heartbeat, which gives a sense of comfort and warmth to the other person. The phrase "lovely lonesome head" suggests that the other person may feel lonely or sad sometimes, but the singer wishes to offer solace and help them find peace.
The second verse, "Press your lips upon this hornet's kiss / And I will blow the tiny spider off your wrist / You're the only one I wish to lay here with / In the beautiful morning light," furthers the image of intimacy and tenderness. The idea of a "hornet's kiss" is potentially dangerous or painful, but the singer offers to protect and care for the other person. The line "You're the only one I wish to lay here with" highlights the exclusivity and importance of their relationship. The repetition of "in the beautiful morning light" bookends the verses, grounding the song in a specific time and place and emphasizing the beauty of the moment.
Overall, "Beautiful Morning Light" is a song about finding comfort and mutual support in a relationship. The lyrics use natural imagery and sensory details to create a vivid and intimate scene between two people.
Line by Line Meaning
Climb up with me to the monkey's nest
Let's rise above the mundane and climb to new heights together
And lay your head upon my rattling chest
I want to offer you comfort and security, even amidst life's turbulence
Give your lovely lonesome head a rest
Take a break from the stresses of your solitary existence and find solace with me
In the beautiful morning light
Let's bask in the peaceful and rejuvenating energy of a new day
Press your lips upon this hornet's kiss
Let me help alleviate the pain and struggle that you're facing
And I will blow the tiny spider off your wrist
I'll take care of the small but nagging problems that are bothering you
You're the only one I wish to lay here with
You're the only person who can truly fulfill my desires and bring me happiness in this moment
In the beautiful morning light
Together, let's savor the fleeting moments of beauty and joy that life has to offer
In the foggy waning dawn
Even in times of uncertainty and fading hope, I want to be by your side
We breathe frosty breath upon
Our connection brings warmth and comfort even in the midst of cold and hardship
The branches of the holy tree
We find an almost sacred refuge in the natural world, where we can feel close to something greater than ourselves
Just you and me up here
In this moment, nothing else matters besides the deep and enduring bond that we share
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ERIC D. JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind