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.
Picture of a Bird
Fruit Bats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From a series of books about the sea
and the life above and in it
Looking at a picture of a bird
Staring out the window
of an elevated train in a storm
of blossoms and debris
Looking at a jumble of words
from something that you once wrote to me
you said, "I'll never leave"
Still you're looking at the jumble
Everybody's gotten their hearts burnt
From the turnpikes to the mud roads
They got nothing left to die for
And they got nothing left to run from
Heading past the ring road
To the place where you came from you see
It's not your destiny
Still you're heading past the ring road
Looking into windows
People got their fires lit today
Gonna find your own cave
Where you'll be looking at a picture of a bird
Looking at a picture of a bird
From a series of books about the sea
and life above and in
Looking at a picture of a bird
The lyrics of "Picture of a Bird" by Fruit Bats are full of symbolism and imageries. At the surface level, the song talks about looking at a picture of a bird from a series of books about the sea and life above and in it. As the song progresses, the pictures change to staring out of a train window in a storm of blossoms and debris, looking at a jumble of words from something that was written to the singer, and finally, the singer is on their way home, looking into windows where people have their fires lit. The song is about finding solace in seemingly insignificant things when life is overwhelming and not going as planned.
At a deeper level, the song is about loneliness and the quest for purpose and belonging. The bird in the picture symbolizes freedom and the beauty of unburdened existence, which is what the singer desires. However, they are stuck in their own struggles and cannot attain that freedom. The storm outside the window represents the turbulence and uncertainty the singer faces in their life. The jumble of words is a metaphor for how confusing and challenging life can be. Despite that, the singer is on their way home to find their own place, where they can find comfort and look at a picture of a bird, a symbol of hope and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking at a picture of a bird
Reflecting on the simplicity and beauty of nature, captured in an image of a bird, perhaps reminding us of the importance of taking a moment to appreciate the world around us.
From a series of books about the sea
The bird picture is found in a series of books that focus on the vast and mysterious world that exists beneath the ocean's surface - emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life on earth.
and the life above and in it
The books also explore the diverse and fascinating creatures that live within the sea, as well as the complex and fragile ecosystems that support them - highlighting the beauty and importance of both the seen and unseen aspects of life.
Staring out the window
Taking a moment to pause and observe the world around us, perhaps feeling a sense of detachment or introspection as we watch the world pass by.
of an elevated train in a storm
A literal description of the scene from the window, but also perhaps serves as a metaphor for feeling trapped or isolated, yet still surrounded by the chaos and unpredictability of the world.
of blossoms and debris
Contrasting images of beauty and destruction, reflecting both the transient nature of life and the juxtaposition of growth and decay that defines the natural world.
Looking at a jumble of words
Reflecting on a message that was once communicated but has now become muddled or difficult to understand, perhaps indicating the ways in which communication can break down or relationships can drift apart over time.
from something that you once wrote to me
The jumble of words came from a written message - a letter, email, or text - that was once meaningful but has since lost its clarity or relevance.
you said, "I'll never leave"
A statement of commitment or loyalty that was once reassuring, but may now seem naive or impossible to fulfill - a reminder that promises can be difficult to uphold and relationships can change over time.
Everybody's gotten their hearts burnt
A universal truth that everyone experiences pain, disappointment, or heartbreak at some point in their lives - a reminder that we are all vulnerable to the highs and lows of the human experience.
From the turnpikes to the mud roads
A metaphor for the various paths and experiences that shape our lives, from the smooth and predictable to the rough and unpredictable, and everything in between.
They got nothing left to die for
A bleak observation that some may feel they have lost their sense of purpose or meaning in life, perhaps due to past failures, disappointments, or disillusionment.
And they got nothing left to run from
Another bleak observation that some may feel trapped or stuck in their current circumstances, with nothing to motivate them to move forward or pursue new opportunities.
Heading past the ring road
Pursuing a path or journey that may be unclear, difficult, or unfamiliar, but still feeling compelled to move forward in some way.
To the place where you came from you see
The destination may be a place of origin - either literally, as in returning to one's homeland, or symbolically, as in returning to a sense of self or purpose that feels authentic and meaningful.
It's not your destiny
Perhaps a reminder that fate - the idea of being predestined or predetermined - is not the only force that shapes our lives, and that we have agency and choice in how we navigate our paths forward.
Looking into windows
Observing others from a distance, perhaps feeling a sense of curiosity, envy, or empathy as we imagine their lives and experiences.
People got their fires lit today
A metaphor for the passion, energy, or enthusiasm that we sometimes feel when we see others pursuing their dreams or goals - a reminder of the importance of staying motivated and engaged in our own lives.
Gonna find your own cave
A call to action to seek out one's own sense of purpose, identity, or meaning - to find a place of refuge or belonging that feels authentic and fulfilling.
Where you'll be looking at a picture of a bird
A hopeful image of finding peace and contentment in the beauty and simplicity of nature - a reminder that we can always find moments of joy and wonder amidst the chaos and unpredictability of the world around us.
Contributed by Keira K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.