Happy Birthday
Cloud Control Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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
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)

Overall Meaning

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.
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Comments from YouTube:

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

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