Ain't It Your Birthday
Jonny Fritz Lyrics
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I bet you didn't think that I would remember how
I bet you thought I'd miss it since the field they plowed
And the weeds covered up the sun
[Chorus]
Hey well ain't it your birthday?
Then why aren't you smiling?
In the middle of the night
On an empty tank
Dodging deer along the way
Onto Central Virginia, moonlight Broadway
Brought to you by this small town
I always thought I could come home to
Oh well I guess I was wrong
Josh Hedley!
Why in the world are you blocking the doorway?
I wanna come inside and sing happy birthday
Say hi to your mama, eat a piece of cake
And tell your little brother dirty jokes
I wanna lie to everybody that the star I am
The big city life that I'm livin
All of the money that they're tryin to give me
Just to sign a couple compact disks
[Chorus]
is it one of those times when you think I should back down?
Just let it go instead of sliding my foot down
Bow my head at the feet of the queen
Instead of taking out a prison guard
Or deceiving myself and chucking out my friends
It doesn't seem like a very good way to live
Seems kinda lucky, trying too hard to win
But you're losing yourself in the game
[Chorus]
In Jonny Fritz's song "Aint it your birthday," the lyrics tell a story of the singer traveling 250 miles on an empty tank in the middle of the night to celebrate someone's birthday. The first verse paints a picture of the person having given up hope that anyone would remember their birthday, as the field was plowed and the weeds had covered up the sun. However, the singer surprises them by arriving and bringing light to the occasion.
The chorus asks the question, "Aint it your birthday? Then why aren't you smiling?" indicating that the birthday person should be happy and celebrating, as the singer has gone out of their way to be there. The second verse introduces a character named Josh Hedley who is blocking the entrance to the party, but the singer wants to come in and celebrate properly.
The final verse takes a philosophical turn, questioning whether it's worth it to back down and just go along with things or if it's better to speak up and challenge authority. The lyrics suggest that sometimes it may seem lucky to try too hard to win, but ultimately it's a losing game if you lose yourself in the process.
Overall, the lyrics of "Aint it your birthday" capture the nostalgia and sentimentality of returning to one's hometown to celebrate a special occasion, while also hinting at the struggles and challenges of chasing one's dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Pull out the juicy pies and see me right now
I want you to celebrate a special day with me
I bet you didn't think that I would remember how
You thought I'd forget, but I didn't
I bet you thought I'd miss it since the field they plowed
You thought I wouldn't come because of the changes in the area
And the weeds covered up the sun
But I came, despite all obstacles
Hey well ain't it your birthday?
Today's a special day for you
Then why aren't you smiling?
But you don't seem happy about it
I just drove two hundred and fifty miles
I traveled a long way to be here
In the middle of the night
Even though it's late
On an empty tank
With almost no gas
Dodging deer along the way
Avoiding danger on the road
Onto Central Virginia, moonlight Broadway
I came all this way to be here
Brought to you by this small town
This is where we grew up
I always thought I could come home to
I always hoped I could return here
Oh well I guess I was wrong
But maybe I was mistaken about that
Why in the world are you blocking the doorway?
Why are you preventing me from entering your home?
I wanna come inside and sing happy birthday
I want to join in the celebration
Say hi to your mama, eat a piece of cake
Catch up with your family and enjoy the treats
And tell your little brother dirty jokes
Make everyone laugh with some inappropriate humor
I wanna lie to everybody that the star I am
I want to pretend that I'm a bigger deal than I really am
The big city life that I'm livin
Exaggerating my glamorous lifestyle
All of the money that they're tryin to give me
Boasting about lucrative offers
Just to sign a couple compact disks
To sign a record deal
Is it one of those times when you think I should back down?
Are you telling me to give up?
Just let it go instead of sliding my foot down
To relinquish the fight
Bow my head at the feet of the queen
Show respect to a dominant figure
Instead of taking out a prison guard
Rather than fighting against those who enforce the rules
Or deceiving myself and chucking out my friends
To betray those closest to me
It doesn't seem like a very good way to live
These behaviors are not admirable
Seems kinda lucky, trying too hard to win
Appears shallow and desperate to succeed
But you're losing yourself in the game
But these actions cause you to lose a sense of self-identity
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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