Birthday is the eighth American release from Chicagoan Ralph Covert, which includes four albums with his band, The Bad Examples, a solo album and EP, and a "Best Of" anthology, which included new material. The booklet features all the lyrics and cover art by Charise Mericle.

Musicians for the album include string whiz John Rice of the Insiders, guitarist Steve Gerlach of MysteryDriver, former Bad Examples drummer Terry Wathen, Brother Brother keyboardist John Zdon, guitarist Mark Malboeuf (who also engineered), harp-blower Craig Miller, and culinary king Pickles Piekarski on bass.

Many of the songs on this album, such as "Bedtime Girl," reflect the joys of childhood and fatherhood. There is a gentleness that pervades most of the songs. Yet as the album progresses it also veers into disillusionment and melancholy before returning to the warmth of "Somewhere That Feels Like Home." In the past two years, since the birth of his daughter, Covert has returned to performing many solo concerts which include stories, conversations with the audience, requests, and works-in-progress. "The Amazing Romero" inspired the Covert co-written stage drama, Sawdust & Spangles. The songs "Raspberry Jam" and "Me And Mary" have been concert staples for years which have eluded successful studio recording until now.