Cloud Control signed to bespoke independent label Infectious Music in 2010, and very quickly the tightly packed four-piece from the picturesque and rugged terrains of Australia’s Blue Mountains started to turn heads with the NME claiming “We’ve got a new bunch of favourite fuzzlings, and their name is Cloud Control” and noted BBC Radio 1 D.J Nick Grimshaw hailing Bliss Release the bands debut long-player “perfect for summer time”.
The first part 2011 saw Cloud Control complete a string of live shows on both sides of the Atlantic, including a grueling nine show campaign at SXSW in Austin Texas and support slots in the UK with Noah & the Whale, Mona and the Naked and Famous. During this first visit to Europe, respected Dutch music title Oor Magazine noted “Cloud Control is setting a foundation for an undoubtedly successful music year for them in Europe. Let The Vaccines, Mona and the rest fight over being newcomer of the year. Here in Paradiso stood one of the festival hits of 2011.”
Returning to Australia to play two sold-out headline shows, the band were specially requested by Foo Fighters to support them in a one off charity concert for Queensland Flood Relief.
With their amps still steaming Cloud Control jetted back to the UK for their debut headline tour. This ended triumphantly in front of a sold-out crowd at venue XOYO in London’s East End. And it seems as the weeks continue to unfold towards the UK & EU release of ‘Bliss Release’, more and more people are professing their love for the group, including Huw Stephens from BBC Radio 1 who tweeted “Watching Cloud Control filling the breathtaking Koko venue with their stomping harmonious beauty” and Drowned In Sound who declared “Cloud Control have made a tremendously enjoyable album.”
Cloud Control are Alister Wright (guitar/lead vocals), Jeremy Kelshaw (bass) and siblings Heidi Lenffer (keyboards/vocals) and Ulrich Lenffer (drums).
Happy Birthday
Cloud Control Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you mean it when you say
That it is what it is
Now that it is every day
And when you wake up and you try to
Forget about the day
Are you holding it down
There's a mirror by the door for singing
I hate my birthday it's true
A happy thought here for you
I hate my birthday it's true
A happy thought here for you
Are you travelling far
I'm headed to the Land's End
Said the man on the bus
He was talking loud again
Are you a Buddhist or are you a vegetarian
Are you holding it down
You know you can go as anybody to the party
There's a mirror by the door for singing
I hate my birthday it's true
A happy thought here for you
(There's a mirror by the door for singing)
I hate my birthday it's true
A happy thought here for you
(What a happy day)
(Oh happy day)
The song "Happy Birthday" by Cloud Control is a whimsical and introspective take on birthdays, the passing of time, and the inevitability of change. The opening lines of the song ask the listener if they are capable of dealing with the monotony and routine of everyday life, and whether or not they can hold it down. The lyrics suggest that life can be mundane and that we must find ways to cope with the routine.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is not particularly fond of their birthday. They sing "I hate my birthday it's true, a happy thought here for you" with a twinge of sadness and resignation. The use of the word "happy" in the chorus is particularly ironic because the overall tone of the song is quite downbeat. It's as if the singer is trying to convince themselves (or anyone else who will listen) that they're okay with growing older.
The verses are filled with quirky images and characters, like the man on the bus who talks too loud, the mirror by the party door, and the existential questions of whether someone is a Buddhist or vegetarian. These lines add to the dreamlike quality of the song, and its introspective nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you holding it down
Are you handling your responsibilities and emotions well?
Do you mean it when you say
Are your words genuine and truthful?
That it is what it is
Accept the situation as it is without trying to change it
Now that it is every day
Is it becoming a routine?
And when you wake up and you try to
Do you struggle to forget about the past day?
Forget about the day
To not let the past affect your present
You know you can go as anybody to the party
You can attend the party disguised as anyone else
There's a mirror by the door for singing
There is a mirror at the party entrance to encourage singing
I hate my birthday it's true
I honestly dislike commemorating my birth
A happy thought here for you
But I want you to be happy
Are you travelling far
Is your journey distant?
I'm headed to the Land's End
I am traveling to the remote end of the land
Said the man on the bus
As told by the man sitting on the bus
He was talking loud again
He was speaking with a loud voice as usual
Are you a Buddhist or are you a vegetarian
Are you following Buddhism or refraining from eating meat?
What a happy day
A joyful day indeed
Oh happy day
An even happier day
Contributed by Aubrey C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Fanny Rascon
Are you holding it down
Do you mean it when you say
That it is what it is
Now that it is every day
And when you wake up and you try to
Forget about the day
Are you holding it down
You know you can go as anybody to the party
There's a mirror by the door for singing
I hate my birthday it's true
A happy thought here for you
Are you travelling far
I'm headed to the Land's End
Said the man on the bus
He was talking loud again
Are you a Buddhist or are you a vegetarian
Are you holding it down
You know you can go as anybody to the party
There's a mirror by the door for singing
I hate my birthday it's true
A happy thought here for you
(What a happy day)
(Oh happy day)
Greer Andersson
I am in love with this song
Jay Dalton
great gig in Brisbane last night. quality band
Adrian Rojas
So nice discover something new....and great.
Lauren Cheng
i reckon about half of these views belong to me. this song is easily one of my faves from Dream cave <3
maurizio58125
Sorry for having "stolen" your pics, Lauren. I just selected those that were available in the Web. My aim was only to promote the amazing music of a band I love. I only make clips when they are not already available, and when possible, with the preliminary approval by the artists
maurizio58125
Poopingbotham :)
Misunderstanding