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.
My Sweet Midwest
Fruit Bats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We live out West
Where the air is so sweet it'll burn a hole in your chest
My baby and I
Are from back East
But not so far back East
That you can call it the East
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
Know my baby and I
Gave it a go
Tried to plant some seeds, but they would not grow
The road is the road
Takes you where you wanna go
And home is home
Home is home is home
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
My my my my my sweet, my sweet Midwest
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
My my my my my sweet, my sweet Midwest
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
The lyrics to Fruit Bats' song My Sweet Midwest suggest an exploration of the West, where the air is sweet yet possibly hazardous to one's health, and a longing for the familiar home back in the East. The singer, described as "my baby," gives it a try and plants some seeds but is ultimately unsuccessful in growing them. The singer reflects on how the road takes you where you want to go, but despite traveling to the West, they still feel anchored to their roots in the Midwest, which is described as "sweet" and maybe the idealized embodiment of the American heartland.
The lyrics suggest a certain romanticism and mystique surrounding the Midwest, though the true nature of this "sweetness" is not made explicit. Is it the memories of loved ones left behind? Is it the rhythms and patterns of small-town life? Perhaps it's the simple beauty of nature that can be found there. Ultimately, the song suggests that home is where the heart is, and no matter how far afield one might roam, there will always be a pull back to that place.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby and I
The singer along with their significant other is currently residing out West.
We live out West
The singer explained that they are currently settled down out West.
Where the air is so sweet it'll burn a hole in your chest
The singer exaggerates the sweetness of the air out West, stating that it is strong enough to irritate the respiratory system.
My baby and I
The artist reiterates that they are not originally from out West.
Are from back East
The artist implies that they and their significant other come from the Eastern part of the United States.
But not so far back East
The singer clarifies that they did not come from the furthest East part of the United States.
That you can call it the East
The singer implies that anything further East than where they come from cannot be classified as the East.
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
The artist expresses their fondness towards the Midwest region of the United States.
Know my baby and I
The artist emphasizes that they and their significant other had attempted something previously.
Gave it a go
The artist implies that they took a shot at planting something but could not make it work out.
Tried to plant some seeds, but they would not grow
The singer's past attempt to plant is revealed to have been unsuccessful.
The road is the road
The artist reflects upon how taking any path in life places you where you are supposed to be.
Takes you where you wanna go
The singer clarifies that following a path is what leads you to your desired destination.
And home is home
The singer implies that no matter where they end up, home will always be home.
Home is home is home
The singer even further emphasizes that home is an unchanging, constant place.
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
The artist returns to reflecting on their fondness towards the Midwest region of the United States.
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
The artist repeats their previous statement.
My my my my my sweet, my sweet Midwest
The singer further emphasizes their fondness, calling the Midwest 'sweet' multiple times.
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
The singer concludes the song with repeating their earlier statements.
Writer(s): Eric Johnson
Contributed by Christopher A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@wanderboy561
[Verse 1]
My baby and I
We live out West
Where the air is so clean it'll burn a hole in your chest
[Verse 2]
Baby, I'm
I'm from back East
But not so far back East that you can call it the East
[Chorus]
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
My, my, my sweet, my sweet Midwest
[Verse 3]
Know my baby and I
Gave it a go
Tried to plant some seeds, but they would not grow
The road is the road
Takes you where you wanna go
And home is home
Home is, home is home
[Chorus]
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
My, my, my, my, my sweet, my sweet Midwest
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
My my my my my sweet, my sweet Midwest
My sweet, my sweet Midwest
@grogg4372
There is so much love for their homeland in this song, it's incredibly heartwarming and reminds you that no matter where your homeland is it can be the most beautiful place to you.
@ericp1803
How on gods green earth does this only have 40 likes and 7,000 views!? This band is amazing!
@silvieperez1432
Guitars are heavenly🎸
@sirclay2168
Just moved to Nevada from Illinois. This sing hits for sure
@2nd_snideelf144
Some really good music on this whole album.
@LaneGuthrie
this is one song, among others, that I never skip
@Udink
Four people came here looking for a video of actual fruit bats in the Midwest.
@meganehilton
🤣
@poiluparadis
One of my favorite songs of the last 10 years. i hope all is well.
@hashtrozombie
This is so underrated.