Cloud Cult is an experimental indie rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota l… Read Full Bio ↴Cloud Cult is an experimental indie rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota led by singer/songwriter Craig Minowa. Formed in 1995, the name originated from the ancient prophecies of indigenous North Americans

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.

Happy Hippo
Cloud Cult Lyrics

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I like my happy hippo-pot-a-mus,
she's sleeping under my, matt-er-us.
She shows me Jesus at the bottom of a colt 45!
Oh me oh my, hey my my.

Uh oh oh oh, Uh oh oh oh, Uh oh oh oh
Hey, my my

I like my happy hippo-pot-a-mus,
She leads the way leads the way leads the way leads the,
I'm always wonderin' why shes wonderin' why I'm wonderin' why, I don't know why,
Hey, my my.

Uh oh oh oh, Uh oh oh oh, Uh oh oh oh
Hey, my my

Hey hey, my my
Best learn to live while you're a alive
All you've got is what it gave you
And it can take it way
My my, hey hey
Hey hey, my my
You'd best learn to live while you're alive

It's better to burn out than to fade away
My my, hey hey

Overall Meaning

The song "Happy Hippo" by Cloud Cult may seem nonsensical at first glance, but there's a deeper meaning hidden within the lyrics. The happy hippo represents the idea of finding happiness in the simple things in life, such as a stuffed animal or a childhood toy. The hippo "sleeping under my matt-er-us" suggests a sense of comfort and security, while the line "She shows me Jesus at the bottom of a colt 45" is a clever metaphor for finding spirituality and deeper meaning in unexpected places.

The chorus, with its repetitive "Uh oh oh oh, Uh oh oh oh, Uh oh oh oh, Hey my my," is especially interesting. It's a nod to Neil Young's song "My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)", which includes the iconic lyrics "It's better to burn out than to fade away" - a concept that is echoed in the closing lines of "Happy Hippo."

Ultimately, "Happy Hippo" is a song about finding joy in the present moment, and not worrying too much about the future. As the lyrics say, "Best learn to live while you're alive / All you've got is what it gave you / And it can take it away."

Line by Line Meaning

I like my happy hippo-pot-a-mus, she's sleeping under my, matt-er-us.
The singer is fond of their stuffed animal hippopotamus, which they keep on their mattress while it rests. They are likely reminiscing about a childhood memory or holding onto a comforting object.

She shows me Jesus at the bottom of a colt 45!
The singer sees a deeper, divine meaning in drinking alcohol, finding spirituality in unexpected places.

Oh me oh my, hey my my.
The singer is expressing surprise and delight, using playful language to convey their joy.

I'm always wonderin' why shes wonderin' why I'm wonderin' why, I don't know why,
The artist is perplexed by their own thoughts and actions, questioning their own motivations and the possibility of a higher power influencing them.

She leads the way leads the way leads the way leads the,
The artist sees their hippopotamus as a guide, providing direction for unknown paths in life.

Hey hey, my my / Best learn to live while you're alive / All you've got is what it gave you / And it can take it way / My my, hey hey
The singer is emphasizing the importance of embracing life and not taking it for granted, recognizing that everything they have can be taken away at any moment.

It's better to burn out than to fade away
The singer believes in the idea of living life to the fullest, taking risks and making an impact instead of slowly fading into obscurity or mediocrity.

Contributed by Layla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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