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.
Birthday Drunk
Fruit Bats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soft drugs and a new love
And with a watershed ahead of you
To be alone on Christmas stoned
Truest no longer
All roads no longer lead to here
All roads no longer lead to here
To give away all you’ve ever owned
And forget all you’ve ever known
Forget all you’ve ever known - forget it all
To be a sweet young punk
Birthday drunk, birthday drunk
The lyrics of "Birthday Drunk" by Fruit Bats convey a bittersweet nostalgia and reflection on youthful experiences, particularly the fleeting moments of joy and recklessness that come with being young. The opening lines "To be young and birthday drunk, Soft drugs and a new love" capture the essence of carefree abandon and the temporary escape from reality that often accompanies youth. It touches upon the excitement of new romantic encounters and the experimentation with substances.
However, as the song progresses, the tone shifts to a more somber reflection. The line "And with a watershed ahead of you" suggests that the singer is at a turning point in their life, possibly facing a significant moment of change or decision. The subsequent verses, "To be alone on Christmas stoned, Truest no longer, All roads no longer lead to here" indicate a sense of detachment and disillusionment.
The chorus, repeating "Forget all you’ve ever known - forget it all," hints at a desire to let go of past experiences, both good and bad, and to embrace a new chapter. The closing lines "To be a sweet young punk, Birthday drunk, birthday drunk" bring the song full circle, reminding us of the fleeting nature of youth and the experiences that define our formative years.
Line by Line Meaning
To be young and birthday drunk
Feeling energetic and carefree due to the combination of being young and intoxicated on one's birthday.
Soft drugs and a new love
Using mild drugs and experiencing a newly found love.
And with a watershed ahead of you
Knowing that there are significant turning points or changes to come in the future.
To be alone on Christmas stoned
Spending Christmas in solitude while under the influence of drugs.
Truest no longer
No longer being honest or sincere.
All roads no longer lead to here
Realizing that previous paths or choices no longer lead to the same destination.
All roads no longer lead to here
Reiteration of the previous realization that previous paths or choices no longer lead to the same destination.
To give away all you’ve ever owned
Voluntarily relinquishing all possessions one has accumulated over time.
And forget all you’ve ever known
Choosing to erase all memories and knowledge from one's mind.
Forget all you’ve ever known - forget it all
Emphasizing the importance of completely erasing all past knowledge and experiences.
To be a sweet young punk
Being both endearingly youthful and rebellious at the same time.
Birthday drunk, birthday drunk
Being intoxicated specifically to celebrate one's birthday.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Eric Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A. M.
It's a little upsetting how good this is... Makes me feel nostalgic and devastated all at once 💔❤️
Josh Jacome
Abigail MacLean :) I shot a few holes in my future too :) this song hurts and smiles. Much love Abigail
Jason Brookes.
+Abi DJM I know, right?! So gorgeously sad.
Jason Brookes.
Just beautiful. The section from 2.10 with its chord changes is heart wrenching.
Steve Maxwell
He's very good! I really love his work. Thoughtful lyrics well sung with nice chord progressions. Very enjoyable.
C. Porter
One of the best off the new album.
gil betty
good'awesome ****!