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.
Lightning Girl
Cloud Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For a lightning wife
She had rain drop wings
Her fingers felt like velvet green branches
But I was dressed up in lightning clothes
So she couldn't see that I was beneath her
And she said she'd stay for a while
So she took me to the sky
She never noticed that I had no wings
I felt her skin against mine
And the stars melted into dandelion wine
And her eyes are like sunflowers and thunderclouds
And her tongue is like raspberries in June
And I keep thinking that if I could only keep her distracted
She won't notice I'm not worthy of a lightning girl
And I remember the Christmas's without her
I was alone and drunk and staring at the tree
And she was whispering through the cracks in the window
But I couldn't hear her 'cause I didn't love me
The lyrics of Cloud Cult's song "Lightning Girl" tell the story of a human who falls in love with a god-like being, referred to as the "lightning girl". The singer desires her love and affection, but feels unworthy of her. He dresses up in lightning clothes to impress her, and she takes him to the sky. But throughout the song, the singer expresses the fear that the lightning girl will realize he isn't worthy of her love, and will leave him. The lyrics are full of vivid sensory details, like the description of the girl's raindrop wings and the feeling of her skin against the singer's.
The song is ultimately about the struggle for self-love and acceptance. The singer's inability to love himself is what prevents him from fully experiencing the love of the lightning girl. The reference to Christmases without her speaks to the loneliness the singer feels without this love. The song is both melancholy and hopeful, grappling with the fear of inadequacy while still dreaming of a love that can overcome it.
Line by Line Meaning
I was wishing my whole life
I had been hoping for this all my life
For a lightning wife
To find someone extraordinary, like a mythical creature
She had rain drop wings
She was special and unique; distinct feathers
Her fingers felt like velvet green branches
Her touch was delicate and pleasant to feel
I was human she was god
I felt insignificant compared to her; god-like characteristics
But I was dressed up in lightning clothes
I tried to make myself seem more than what I truly am through appearance
So she couldn't see that I was beneath her
I attempt to hide my true inferiority from her
And she said she'd stay for a while
She agreed to be with me for a short period of time
So she took me to the sky
She elevated me to a higher level
She never noticed that I had no wings
She didn't realize that I was not as special as she is
I felt her skin against mine
I experienced physical affection with her
And the stars melted into dandelion wine
The moment felt magical and peaceful
And her eyes are like sunflowers and thunderclouds
Her eyes were bright and powerful, yet also soft and calming
And her tongue is like raspberries in June
Her voice was sweet and refreshing
And I keep thinking that if I could only keep her distracted
I feel like I need to distract her from the truth about me
She won't notice I'm not worthy of a lightning girl
I feel like I am not deserving of someone as great as her
And I remember the Christmas's without her
I recall previous times when I was alone and unhappy without her
I was alone and drunk and staring at the tree
I was in a state of sadness and despair during the holiday season
And she was whispering through the cracks in the window
I believe she was reaching out to me even though I could not hear her
But I couldn't hear her 'cause I didn't love me
I was unable to reciprocate her affection because I didn't love myself enough
Contributed by Layla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ichauss
cloud cult is an amazing band, thanks for putting this song up
Stormie Carter
I love cloud cult, but had never heard this song. It gave me shivers to say the least.
siredhuman333
I love Craig's voice in this song so much.
FatherTableHands
My wife has the lyrics of this song tattooed on her. What can i say? She took me to the sky!!!
Deathpun Kin
@McCormickSBG Thank you, for that.. I'll add it when I get a chance (if my very late reply isn't evidence of how short my time is lol)
FatherTableHands
Damn lol