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.
Today
Fruit Bats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Day I′ve ever known
Can't live for tomorrow
Tomorrow′s much too long
I'll burn my eyes out
Before I get out
I wanted more
Bored by the chore
Of saving face
Today is the greatest
Day I've ever known
Can′t wait for tomorrow
I might not have that long
I′ll tear my heart out
Before I get out
Pink ribbon scars
That never forget
I tried so hard
To cleanse these regrets
My angel wings
Were bruised and restrained
My belly stings
Today is
Today is
Today is
The greatest day
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you on
Today is the greatest day
Today is the greatest day
Today is the greatest day
That I have ever ever known
The Fruit Bats' song "Today" is a profound and emotive piece that captures the essence of wanting to live in the present, free from the weight of the past or the uncertainty of the future. The chorus, "Today is the greatest day I’ve ever known", is repeated throughout the song, with the lyrics exploring different facets of this sentiment. The writer is consumed by the moment, "can’t live for tomorrow, tomorrow’s much too long", and is willing to endure pain and anguish, "I'll burn my eyes out before I get out", just to remain in the present.
The verses delve deeper into the writer's psyche, highlighting the struggles and regrets that they're trying to overcome. The line, "Pink ribbon scars that never forget", is a powerful metaphor for past traumas that continue to haunt and hurt, whilst "my angel wings were bruised and restrained", is a poignant image of lost innocence and dream unfulfilled. The writer is almost at a point of no return, "I’ll tear my heart out before I get out", desperately trying to shed their past and reconcile with the present.
Overall, the song's message is one of hope, with the writer declaring that "Today is the greatest day" not just metaphorically, but literally. By living in the present, unencumbered by the past and the future, the writer has a chance to be free and truly experience the beauty of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Today is the greatest
Today is the most amazing day
Day I′ve ever known
That I have ever experienced
Can't live for tomorrow
I cannot live for the future
Tomorrow′s much too long
The future is too far away
I'll burn my eyes out
I would rather go blind
Before I get out
Than face the reality of the situation
I wanted more
I desired something greater
Than life could ever grant me
Than what life could give me
Bored by the chore
Tired of the task
Of saving face
Trying to maintain a good reputation
Can't wait for tomorrow
I am excited for the future
I might not have that long
But it may not come
I′ll tear my heart out
I would rather die
Pink ribbon scars
Scars that remind me of past mistakes
That never forget
That continue to haunt me
I tried so hard
I did everything I could
To cleanse these regrets
To rid myself of these burdensome feelings
My angel wings
My innocence and purity
Were bruised and restrained
Have been hurt and held back
My belly stings
I feel physical and emotional pain
I want to turn you on
I want to excite you
Today is the greatest day
Today is the most amazing day
That I have ever ever known
That I have ever experienced
Writer(s): William Corgan, Billy Corgan
Contributed by Alyssa J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
duckduckmoose
I can't wait to hear the other covers as well. I've been on such a Smashing Pumpkins kick lately this is awesome.
Joboard Utah
Well done. This version ranks up there with the Pumpkin's original version
Chris Connelly
This is a WONDERFUL arrangement that makes me really excited to hear the rest.
Vicki Reed
Absolutely gorgeous..I cried.
And sent it to my daughter..and she cried.
Kyle Penrod
Great cover. At first I thought it was a little slow but as the song went on it just sounded right. Love that he made it his own. Especially near the end. I don't care to hear the same version, just acoustic. Great cover. Can't wait to hear the rest of the album
Jeremy Sette
Best cover of this song I've heard!
Adam Stewart
Stunning rendition
Nik
Really fantastic stuff, can't wait to hear the rest of the songs!
Holly A
Can't get over this song ❤ amazing cover.
Train Mane
was skeptical as hell hearing you guys are covering the whole record - this is awesome though