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.
The Earthquake of '73
Fruit Bats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You lost your voice singing along to ‘Raspberry Beret'
So I'll do my part not to break your heart
And baby don't break mine
Cuz I adore you and I know for sure
You're the spark on the sun
In the barrel race you cracked your rib and skinned up your knee
So I'll do my part not to break your heart
And baby please don't break mine
Cuz I want you and I want to just let you know
That I adore you and I know for sure
You're the spark on the sun
On the sun
On the sun
On the sun
The Earthquake of '73 by Fruit Bats is a beautiful love song that is full of metaphors and symbols. The lyrics are a tribute to the depth and strength of the love the singer has for his partner. In the first verse, the singer acknowledges the small injuries and mishaps that his partner has experienced while pursuing her hobbies of roller-skating and singing along to her favorite songs. The singer promises to take care of her heart and not break it, just as she has been trying to heal her physical injuries. He acknowledges that she is the spark that lights up his life, just like the sun.
In the second verse, the singer talks about the more serious injuries his partner has faced, such as a cracked rib, skinned knee and losing a tooth in an earthquake. Despite all these challenges, the singer is still deeply in love with his partner and wants to convey to her that she is the center of his universe. He pleads with her not to break his heart, just as he is making a conscious effort not to break hers. The repeated refrain of "On the sun" reinforces the idea that the singer's partner is the brightest and most beautiful thing that exists in his world.
Overall, The Earthquake of '73 is a romantic and heartfelt song about the importance of love and the challenges that people face when trying to maintain a healthy and happy relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You hurt your foot roller-skating down by the bay
You suffered a painful injury while roller-skating near the bay.
You lost your voice singing along to ‘Raspberry Beret'
You strained your vocal cords while singing along to the song ‘Raspberry Beret.'
So I'll do my part not to break your heart
I will take care not to hurt your feelings or damage our relationship.
And baby don't break mine
I hope you will treat me with the same kindness and care.
Cuz I adore you and I know for sure
I really love and cherish you as a person.
You're the spark on the sun
You bring light and warmth into my life, like the sun.
In the barrel race you cracked your rib and skinned up your knee
You suffered serious injuries while participating in a barrel race.
You lost a tooth in the Earthquake of 73
You lost one of your teeth during the 1973 earthquake.
And baby please don't break mine
I hope you will be kind and gentle with my heart and emotions.
Cuz I want you and I want to just let you know
I really desire you and want to express my feelings openly.
That I adore you and I know for sure
I really care and love you in a deep and meaningful way.
You're the spark on the sun
You are an incredibly important and vital source of joy and light in my life.
On the sun
Reflecting on the immense happiness this person brings to the singer's life.
On the sun
Further expressing the incredible impact this person has on the singer's life.
On the sun
Continuing to highlight the importance of this person in the singer's life.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ERIC D. JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind