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.
Purpose
Cloud Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Don't you think it's pretty here)
It's so unexpectedly predictable
So sloppily intentional
Does anyone know the punchline yet
There must be rhythm here cause all of us have a heartbeat
(Don't you see the music here)
A-rum-pum-pum-pum
A-rum-pum-pum-pum-pum
There must be forgiveness here cause most of us have our weaknesses
(Tell me what are your weaknesses)
I don't know myself and I'm afraid of you
I'm happiest on chemicals
The goings come and the comings go
Forgive me I'm just an animal
There must be healing here cause everybody here has been damaged
And we'll wear it like a tattoo
Every scar is a smile
To hell with the going down
There must be afterlife here cause we all pray for resurrection
You see the end comes quick as a bullet
The lyrics of Cloud Cult's song "Purpose" reflect on the existential questions of life, such as the purpose and meaning behind existence. The opening line, "there must be a purpose here cause most of us keep waking up", suggests that there must be some reason why we keep going through the daily routine of waking up and living our lives. The subsequent lines "it's so unexpectedly predictable, so sloppily intentional, does anyone know the punchline yet" express a sense of dissatisfaction with the mundanity of life, and a frustration with not knowing the ultimate purpose or meaning of it all.
The next verse shifts the focus to the concept of rhythm, with the line "there must be rhythm here cause all of us have a heartbeat". The phrase "don't you see the music here" highlights the idea that the world is not only full of rhythm, but that it is also inherently musical in nature. The rhythm of the heart serves as a reminder of the pulse of life, and how it beats on despite the uncertainty and confusion.
The lines "there must be forgiveness here cause most of us have our weaknesses" deal with the idea of human fallibility and the need for forgiveness. The admission that "I don't know myself and I'm afraid of you, I'm happiest on chemicals" expresses a sense of vulnerability and a need for forgiveness and understanding. The final verse deals with the theme of healing, acknowledging the fact that everyone has been damaged in some way, and that the scars we carry are a part of who we are.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be purpose here cause most of us keep waking up
Despite the monotony and predictability of life, we continue to wake up every day, indicating that there must be a deeper purpose driving us forward
(Don't you think it's pretty here)
Acknowledging the beauty that surrounds us in life, even in the midst of its challenges
It's so unexpectedly predictable
While life may seem mundane and expected at times, there are countless surprises and unexpected events that keep it interesting
So sloppily intentional
The seemingly chaotic nature of life actually has a certain intention and direction, even if we can't always see it
Does anyone know the punchline yet
Questioning whether there is a grand conclusion or ultimate meaning to all of life's experiences
There must be rhythm here cause all of us have a heartbeat
The fact that every person has a heartbeat and a unique rhythm to their life suggests that there must be some underlying order and purpose to existence
(Don't you see the music here)
Drawing attention to the pattern and harmony present in life, just as in music
Inside our ribs we take an average of 60 beats a minute
Highlighting the biological mechanisms that drive us and showing that there is a physical and measurable element to our existence
A-rum-pum-pum-pum
Evoking the rhythmic sound of a heartbeat to further emphasize the natural order and melody of life
A-rum-pum-pum-pum-pum
Repeating the previous line for emphasis and to create a sense of continuity and flow
There must be forgiveness here cause most of us have our weaknesses
Acknowledging that human beings are inherently flawed and require forgiveness and compassion in order to grow and thrive
(Tell me what are your weaknesses)
Inviting openness and vulnerability, both from oneself and others, as a means of fostering greater understanding and connection
I don't know myself and I'm afraid of you
Expressing the fear and uncertainty that can arise in relationships, as well as in facing the unknown aspects of oneself
I'm happiest on chemicals
Admitting to the allure of external substances and stimuli as a means of escaping or enhancing one's experience of reality
The goings come and the comings go
Highlighting the cyclical nature of life, in which things constantly change and evolve
Forgive me I'm just an animal
Acknowledging the primitive and animalistic aspects of human nature, and seeking forgiveness for any harm or error caused by them
There must be healing here cause everybody here has been damaged
Recognizing that every person carries the scars of past pain and suffering, and that there is a need for healing and restoration
And we'll wear it like a tattoo
Embracing the lessons and experiences of the past as a part of one's identity and journey, akin to a tattoo that is permanently etched into the skin
Every scar is a smile
Reframing past hardships and struggles as sources of strength and resilience, and finding joy in the process of overcoming them
To hell with the going down
Rejecting the idea of being defeated or broken by life's challenges, and instead rising above them with strength and determination
There must be afterlife here cause we all pray for resurrection
Expressing the universal human desire for transcendence and continuity beyond physical death, suggesting the possibility of an afterlife or spiritual realm
You see the end comes quick as a bullet
Acknowledging the inevitability of death, and emphasizing the need to make the most of our time on earth while we can
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JEFF MARX, ROBERT LOPEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind