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.
Gold past life
Fruit Bats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Than in your gold past life
A ship of paper on a sea of fire
Back to your gold past life
Helplessly staring at stagnant stars
What was this thing that took your spirit away?
Head on the bug splattered hood of your car
Breathlessly calling up your old love
Why did she have to take your essence from you?
Life's been rougher but lately it's pretty rough
For you
You used to dance in the night
With a girl you loved so much
You used to look her in the eyes as the night birds sang
You know you're never gonna feel as right
Than in your gold past life
A ship of paper on a sea of fire
Back to your gold past life
You know you're never gonna feel as right
Than in your gold past life
Make me your gold past life
Helplessly staring at a cumulus
What caused this flood that washed your courage away?
With your heart in a knot you cry for love and loss
For all of us
You used to stare into the void
With the love of your life
You used to whisper in her ear
"Little butterfly"
You know you're never gonna feel as right
Than in your gold past life
A ship of paper on a sea of fire
Back to your gold past life
You know you're never gonna feel as right
Than in your gold past life
A ship of paper on a sea of fire
Back to your gold past life
Back to your gold past life
Back to your gold past life
Back to your gold past life
The song "Gold Past Life" by Fruit Bats is a nostalgic reflection on the past, and how the memories of our former selves can bring us comfort in difficult times. The lyrics describe a person who is feeling lost and disconnected from their present life, and who longs to return to a time when they felt more alive and connected to their essence. The refrain "you know you're never gonna feel as right / than in your gold past life" repeats throughout the song, emphasizing this desire to return to a past that seems more golden and perfect than the present.
The imagery in the song is evocative and dreamlike, with lines like "a ship of paper on a sea of fire" and "staring at a cumulus" conjuring surreal, otherworldly scenes. The use of second-person point of view ("you") also creates a sense of intimacy and empathy with the listener, inviting them to connect with the emotions and experiences described in the song. The bridge of the song ("Helplessly staring...you pray") is particularly poignant, describing a moment of despair and longing for connection that many people can relate to.
Overall, "Gold Past Life" is a powerful ode to the human experience of nostalgia and the comforting power of memories. It reminds us that even in difficult times, we can find solace and strength in our past experiences and the people we used to be.
Line by Line Meaning
You know you're never gonna feel as right
You realize that you will never feel as content as you once did
Than in your gold past life
Compared to your previous experiences that promoted happiness and fulfillment
A ship of paper on a sea of fire
Your former situation was fragile and vulnerable amid a dangerous environment
Back to your gold past life
A desire to return to the happy memories of your past
Helplessly staring at stagnant stars
Feeling powerless while observing life as unchanging and lacking progress
What was this thing that took your spirit away?
Pondering the source of the loss of motivation and vitality
Head on the bug splattered hood of your car
Expressing distress and hopelessness in a personal, intimate space
You pray
Asking for help or solace in a difficult situation
Breathlessly calling up your old love
Desperately reaching out to a previous romantic partner
Why did she have to take your essence from you?
Questioning why the previous partner may have taken joy and identity away from you
Life's been rougher but lately it's pretty rough
Admitting that life has been difficult, particularly in the recent past
For you
Expressing an introspective reflection on personal struggles
You used to dance in the night
Recalling a happy or passionate memory
With a girl you loved so much
Describing the person who was a significant part of the memory
You used to look her in the eyes as the night birds sang
Recreating the detail and romanticism of the aforementioned memory
Helplessly staring at a cumulus
Feeling powerless while observing a peaceful and idyllic scene
What caused this flood that washed your courage away?
Questioning the reasons behind losing strength and bravery
With your heart in a knot you cry for love and loss
Being overwhelmed with emotion and yearning for former connections
For all of us
A universal reminder that all have experienced challenges and heartache
You used to stare into the void
Recalling a contemplative moment
With the love of your life
Referencing the person who was present during that moment
You used to whisper in her ear
Recreating the intimacy and affection of the aforementioned memory
Little butterfly
A term of endearment or a reference to a romantic nickname
Make me your gold past life
A plea to recapture the joy and contentment of past experiences
Back to your gold past life
A desire to return to the happy memories of the past
Back to your gold past life
A repetition of the desire to return to a previous state of happiness
Back to your gold past life
Continued repetition of the same desire
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Eric Donald Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ryan J.
So this is what the Bee Gees and Supertramp sound like when mashed together. I approve.
velvin bixby
Well just heard band in the car on independent radio. Right upon hearing, EXACTLY what I thought, but I love it!
Kyle Williams
Loving these chord changes. Such confident songwriting!
Charu Thammavaram
Confident is a good word choice
Katrina Spaeth
The chord changes are so satisfying! Really great.
Lauren Bedell
If ELO, Supertramp, Todd Rundgren and Bee Gees had ever collaborated in the 70's, it would have sounded like this! Great track!
Liz V
Sooooo groovy!! Can’t wait for the full album drop and tour!
Dave Quinlan
Great stuff, looking forward to the album.
artillery666
Another banger. I’m really excited for this album.
Lord MG
sounds like the good old times