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.
Beautiful Boy
Cloud Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm dressed in Sunday's best
I'll see you soon
Where did you go?
Where did you go?
Where did you go?
Beautiful, beautiful
I'm halfway to the Sun
There are ghosts all around me
And I see your face in the Sun
The light at the end of the tunnel
Where are you going?...
Don't go, don't go, don't go
I Finally reached the Sun
Oh my son, you are beautiful
I'm so tired
Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep
Where did you go?
Where did you go?
Where did you go?
Beautiful, beautiful
The lyrics to Cloud Cult's song "Beautiful Boy" convey a sense of loss, longing, and a pursuit of the unknown. The singer seems to be personified as a parent or caregiver on a journey to find someone or something, possibly a loved one who has passed away. The opening lines "I'm climbing to the Sun on a cobweb made of tinker'toys" suggest that this is a difficult and precarious journey. The use of "tinker'toys" (childhood building toys) in this metaphor emphasizes the theme of chasing something that may be elusive or unattainable.
As the song progresses, the singer expresses their desire to find the person they are looking for; "Where did you go? Beautiful, beautiful." The repetition of this question emphasizes the desperation and confusion that comes with a loss of this kind. The second stanza of the song shifts to a more positive tone, with the singer feeling closer to their goal. They mention seeing "ghosts" and a face in the sun, which could be interpreted as supernatural or spiritual experiences. The use of light at the end of the tunnel gives the listener a sense of hope and expectation that the search may soon come to an end.
The finale of the song is bittersweet, with the singer finally reaching the sun and telling someone (presumably the person they have been searching for) that they are beautiful. The repeated phrase "where did you go?" suggests that the singer may not actually have found the person they were searching for, which creates a sense of loss and longing. The final "go to sleep" could be interpreted not only as a sign of rest for the singer but also for the person they have been searching for. Overall, the song seems to capture the never-ending search for something or someone that may not be reachable, while still holding on to the hope that it can be found.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm climbing to the Sun on a cobweb made of tinker'toys
I am making attempt to be successful even though my resources are limited and fragile.
I'm dressed in Sunday's best
I'm wearing my best clothes to make a positive impression on someone.
I'll see you soon
I promise to meet you in the near future.
Where did you go?
I'm wondering where you disappeared to.
Beautiful, beautiful
You are a remarkable person and I admire your qualities.
I'm halfway to the Sun
I'm making progress towards my goal, but I'm not quite there yet.
There are ghosts all around me
I feel the presence of things/people that no longer exist and it's haunting me.
And I see your face in the Sun
I miss you and you are always on my mind even when I look at the Sun.
The light at the end of the tunnel
I'm hopeful that all my struggles will eventually lead me towards a brighter future.
Where are you going?...
Please tell me where you are heading as I'm concerned about your safety.
Don't go, don't go, don't go
I'm pleading for you to stay a little longer with me.
I Finally reached the Sun
I have made it to my goal after a long and difficult journey.
Oh my son, you are beautiful
You are more than just looks, you have a beautiful personality and character.
I'm so tired
I'm exhausted from all the effort and hard work I have put in.
Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep
You need rest and relaxation to recharge and rejuvenate yourself.
Contributed by Callie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.