The band's founder and singer Craig Minowa has a degree in Environmental Science, and his environmental, political, and social awareness is reflected in much of Cloud Cult's music. (Note: Craig Minowa actually has stated he intentionally doesn't sing about environmental awareness because he lives it...he doesn't need to preach it) The band's self-created non-profit record label, Earthology Records, uses the most environmentally friendly methods available to ensure minimum damage to the environment.
After two solo LP's, The Shade Project (1995), and Who Killed Puck? (2000), Minowa's sudden loss of his two-year-old son and subsequent separation from his wife, Cloud Cult emerged with They Live On The Sun in 2003, combining concepts of Minowa with performances by cellist Sarah Young and drummer Dan Greenwood, who shortly became members of the band. This album was deeply personal and painful album for Cloud Cult and you don't often hear songs from it in concert.
Minowa continued to use music to cope with the loss of his son on the following album Aurora Borealis. This album did begin to branch out more into exploration of pain and loss instead of just feeling it.
Minowa reunited with his wife, and the next album is widely considered their crowning achievement. Advice From The Happy Hippopotamus involved collaboration from a variety of musicians and has garnered praise from critics, even being acclaimed as "a work of insane genius". This album is capped off with the "happy-go-lucky" song, Lucky Today. This album was selected by esurance to be animated into a commercial. This was a contest for the most environmentally sound band because esurance labels themselves as the paperless insurance provider.
On April 10th 2007 Cloud Cult officially released their sixth LP, The Meaning of 8 (although it was available for sale online in late January): the first single was titled "Take Your Medicine." In April 2008, the band followed it with Feel Good Ghosts.
In 2009 band announced a break till 2010, though they released limited re-releases of their albums Lost Songs from the Lost Years, They Live on the Sun and Aurora Borealis (the last two as a double-disc).
Their concerts are certainly a sight to be seen. Along with Minowa on Guitars (and other fun things), they have got bass, drums, violin and cello. There are two official band members who actually do very little music during the shows; Minowa's wife Connie and Scott are painters. They create original works of art during the show (breaking only occasionally to sing or sometimes Scott plays Trumpet). Then, at the end of the show, they silent auction these paintings off to the highest bidder.
Their official website is www.cloudcult.com.
1x1x1
Cloud Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You ain’t no follower, and it says
You ain’t no yellow-belly, and it says
You ain’t no broken horse, and it says
You are here to take the punches one by one
You’re here to learn your lessons one by one
You’re here to peal the layers off one by one
By one by one by one by one
You don’t hear your intuition, cause it says
You were blessed with sensitivity, but it says
You can’t fly with such a heavy heart, heavy heart
You gotta do what must be done so learn to do it with some melody, melody
You are here to let the cards fall one by one
You’re here to let your walls down one by one
You’re here to peal the layers off one by one
By one by one by one by one
If you keep tryin’ to fill your holes with the next best thing
Well then the next best thing will give you more and more holes
Keep tryin’ to fill your holes with the next best thing
And the next best thing will give you more and more holes
You were better as a simple one, simple one
Yeah you were better as a simple one, simple one
So peal your layers off one by one by one
Peal your layers off one by one by one
Peal your layers off one by one by one
By one by one by one by one
In Cloud Cult's song 1x1x1, the lyrics speak to an individual's intuition and the importance of being true to oneself. The repeated line "You don't hear your intuition, cause it says" is a reminder that often our inner voice speaks louder than we give credit to. The subsequent lines "You ain't no follower", "You ain't no yellow-belly", "You ain't no broken horse" all point towards the idea of not conforming to societal or external pressures that may hinder personal growth.
The lyrics also emphasize the notion of taking things one step at a time. "You're here to take the punches one by one", "You're here to learn your lessons one by one", "By one by one by one". It's a message of patience and perseverance, knowing that progress takes time and effort. Later in the song, the lyrics mention the need to let go of emotional baggage and to approach life with a lighter heart, "You can't fly with such a heavy heart, heavy heart". The suggestion to let walls down one by one and to peel away layers slowly is a reminder that progress takes time, and individual growth is a journey.
Overall, the lyrics to 1x1x1 encourage individuals to listen to their inner self and to approach life with patience and determination. The song is a reminder to stay true to oneself rather than conforming to societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
You don’t hear your intuition, cause it says
You are not listening to your inner voice, because it reminds you
You ain’t no follower, and it says
You are not meant to follow others, as your intuition tells you
You ain’t no yellow-belly, and it says
You are not a coward, as your intuition reassures you
You ain’t no broken horse, and it says
You are not defeated, as your intuition acknowledges your strength
You are here to take the punches one by one
You are meant to face challenges one at a time in order to grow
You’re here to learn your lessons one by one
You are meant to gain wisdom by experiencing lessons one at a time
You’re here to peal the layers off one by one
You are meant to uncover your true self by removing layers of conditioning one at a time
By one by one by one by one
This process occurs gradually and takes time
If you keep tryin’ to fill your holes with the next best thing
If you constantly seek external validation or material possessions to fulfill you
Well then the next best thing will give you more and more holes
You will never feel complete and will seek more and more external things to fill the void
Keep tryin’ to fill your holes with the next best thing
Continuing this pattern will only exacerbate feelings of emptiness
And the next best thing will give you more and more holes
Because it is not possible to find inner fulfillment through external means
You were better as a simple one, simple one
Your true self is better off being true to who you are, without external trappings
Yeah you were better as a simple one, simple one
Simplicity is key to finding inner peace and fulfillment
So peal your layers off one by one by one
Uncovering your true self, one layer at a time
Peal your layers off one by one by one
Continuing this process
Peal your layers off one by one by one
Until you reveal your true self
By one by one by one by one
Slowly but surely
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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