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.
Radio Fodder
Cloud Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You love that, and I hate it
It starts off so soft and sweet
You like that, do you like me?
(I'm gonna break it down, 'cause you like it rolling down here.)
Hey!
I can't write music
You hate it when I do it
You just want me to sound like
Every God damn man on the radio
This song is written for you
You like it, and I hate it
I can't breathe, I can't write
I can't live my life like this
It's gotten quieter
Cause you like that
In the third verse, keep it mellow
Cause you know you're building up for
The final chorus
It's our song written for you
You like it, I hate that
It's our song(x3)
I'm singing it different now!
I'm breaking it down!
You love it!
This is my song(x4)
Rock! Rock! Rock!
The song Radio Fodder by Cloud Cult is a ballad about a strained relationship between the singer and their significant other. The singer acknowledges that they can't seem to connect with their partner on certain levels - particularly with respect to their taste in music. The song starts off with an admission that the singer has written a song for their partner, but the partner seems to like it while the singer hates it. The partner enjoys the soft and sweet parts of the song, while the singer finds it distasteful. The singer then tries to break down the song in a more rhythmic and upbeat manner to please their partner. The song shifts to a more energetic groove, and the singer tries to sing the song in a funkier style, which their partner enjoys. However, the singer also acknowledges that they can't seem to write music that their partner likes. They feel that their partner wants them to sound like every other man on the radio, which frustrates the singer. The song then concludes with the singer continuing to sing the song, but in a way that pleases them rather than their partner.
The song Radio Fodder is a commentary on the commercialization of music and the pressure to conform to a certain standard to achieve success in the music industry. The singer's struggle to please their partner is a metaphor for the music industry's pressure to churn out music that is catchy and conforms to the popular style of the time. The song's title, Radio Fodder, refers to the type of music that radio stations play repeatedly to keep their listeners engaged. Overall, the song explores the tension between artistic creativity and commercial success in the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
This song is written for you
I am creating this song specifically for you as my audience.
You love that, and I hate it
You enjoy a certain aspect of the song, but I personally do not appreciate it.
It starts off so soft and sweet
The introduction of the song begins with a gentle, melodic sound.
You like that, do you like me?
Because you enjoy the beginning sound of the song, do you therefore approve of me as the artist?
I can't write music
It is difficult for me to create my own unique sound.
You hate it when I do it
You are not appreciative of my personal composition style.
You just want me to sound like
You prefer for me to replicate the sound of popular male musicians.
Every God damn man on the radio
Referencing the radio, the artist is saying that you want them to sound like every popular male artist out there currently.
I can't breathe, I can't write
The artist feels trapped and unable to creatively express themselves.
It's gotten quieter
The music has softened slightly in volume and intensity.
Cause you like that
The reason for the softer sound is because the audience enjoys it more.
In the third verse, keep it mellow
To please the audience, the artist will continue to keep the music relaxed in the third verse.
Cause you know you're building up for
This is being done in order to prepare the audience for
The final chorus
The final, most important part of the song.
It's our song written for you
This is a song that has been created specifically for the audience to enjoy.
You like it, I hate that
Although you enjoy the song, the artist personally dislikes the direction the song has taken.
I'm singing it different now!
To change things up during the performance, the artist is singing a variation of the familiar song.
I'm breaking it down!
The artist is now changing the sound and style of the song entirely.
You love it!
The audience is enjoying the sudden, unexpected change in sound.
This is my song(x4)
The song and its composition is something entirely created and owned by the artist.
Rock! Rock! Rock!
The song concludes with a more aggressive, energetic tone.
Contributed by Charlie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.