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.
The Arrival: There's So Much Energy In Us
Cloud Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still can't find it. Still can't find it.
The fuel is nearly spent. Check the maps again.
Can't let go of it. Can't let go of it.
Now the crew is cold and drunk on chemicals.
Can't believe in it. Can't believe in it.
And I heard the captain say, I heard the captain say,
"We' re so close to it, so very close to it.
We feel our hearts break as the engines fade.
Still need to find it. Still need to find it.
So we took the written words of our philosophers,
and built a fire from it. Let's get those engines lit.
We took the church's veil and built a mighty sail.
to carry forth this ship. but we're still losing it.
And I heard the captain say, I heard the captain say,
"We' re so close to it, so very close to it.
We still have energy in us."
The mission's over now, and my breath is running out.
Can't let go of it, can't let go of it.
I didn't mean what I said, I didn't mean what I said.
I love you more than this. I love you more than this.
Then lights they fill the air, or were they always there?
I finally see it. I finally see it.
And I heard the captain say, I heard the captain say,
"You're always close to it, so very close to it."
There's so much energy in us.
The lyrics to Cloud Cult's song The Arrival: There's So Much Energy In Us is about the ongoing search for meaning and purpose. The song is a metaphor for our relentless search for something bigger and greater than ourselves. The first half of the song sets up the story of a crew on a spaceship who have been searching for something for a million years. They are running out of fuel and are losing hope but the captain tells them that they still have energy in them. The second half of the song talks about how the crew turn to philosophy and religion to fuel their engines and keep them going. They eventually find what they are looking for and as they do, the captain tells them that there's so much energy in us.
The song is a powerful reminder that even when we feel lost and hopeless, there is always something inside of us that can keep us going. We may not know what it is that we are searching for, but as long as there is energy in us, we can keep going. The song also suggests that our search for meaning and purpose can be found in the wisdom of our past and the experiences of those who came before us.
Line by Line Meaning
A million years it's been, since the search began.
We've been searching for so long, it feels like forever.
Still can't find it. Still can't find it.
Despite our efforts, we have yet to find what we're looking for.
The fuel is nearly spent. Check the maps again.
We're running out of resources, but let's check our options again.
Can't let go of it. Can't let go of it.
We can't give up on our mission.
Now the crew is cold and drunk on chemicals.
The crew is exhausted and relying on medication to push through.
Can't believe in it. Can't believe in it.
We're beginning to lose faith in our search.
And I heard the captain say, I heard the captain say,
The captain spoke words of hope and encouragement.
"We' re so close to it, so very close to it.
"We're almost there, we just have to keep pushing.
We still have energy in us."
We still have the drive and determination to see this through.
We feel our hearts break as the engines fade.
We're devastated as our resources dwindle.
Still need to find it. Still need to find it.
We haven't given up on our search.
So we took the written words of our philosophers,
We looked to the wisdom of past great thinkers for guidance.
and built a fire from it. Let's get those engines lit.
We used that knowledge to reignite our passion and determination to keep going.
We took the church's veil and built a mighty sail.
We repurposed something sacred to give us the strength to keep moving forward.
to carry forth this ship. but we're still losing it.
We're trying to stay afloat, but it's still a struggle.
The mission's over now, and my breath is running out.
The journey is coming to an end, and we're running out of time.
Can't let go of it, can't let go of it.
But we can't give up on our mission, even when it feels impossible.
I didn't mean what I said, I didn't mean what I said.
In the chaos and desperation, words were spoken that weren't truly meant.
I love you more than this. I love you more than this.
But through it all, love and devotion remain.
Then lights they fill the air, or were they always there?
Something suddenly becomes clear or perhaps it was always there, but unnoticed.
I finally see it. I finally see it.
We've found what we've been looking for.
You're always close to it, so very close to it."
We were never far from our goal, it was within our reach all along.
There's so much energy in us.
We had the power and strength within us all along to see this through.
Contributed by Madelyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nate Steere
In 8 minutes I went from not knowing this was a band to having tears in my eyes. Incredible tune.
HeckSusD23
No band can consistently give you goosebumps the same way Cloud Cult does. Inspirational tuneage to be sure.
gregory rossi
now, if only you could get them to do more shows.
Stephane Dignard
Frightened Rabbit, Manchester Orchestra, Arcade Fire, Barr Brothers... and Cloud cult. My Top 5 goosebumps band.
Zach Ridgway
Cloud Cult is one of the most underrated bands out there. I went to school with their new drummer, Arlen P. and can say that if everyone else in the band is as he is, then they are an extremely friendly, artistic, open-minded, and talented group of musicians. Craig's lyrical talent is beyond review or judgement. I am extremely excited about their new album, "Love", and have just preordered it via their website. The preordered albums are to be shipped a month before the official album release
annemomsity
This video was uploaded a month before my daughter died. I wish I had found Cloud Cult sooner-so much of their music reaches right inside me and has been helpful in moving through grief.
Simon Morgan
The album this song is off also helped get me through a really hard time in my life.
Kelly Miller
I'm so sorry for your loss, I can't imagine. If I'm not mistaken the lead singer lost his son when he was young and a lot of their music is about going through that grief and finding the light and love again. I hope you'll find your way through it soon too.
desmotunes
My son died 2 years ago, he loved this band.
Amanda Peck
My sister passed 10 years ago and my mom this past July. I’m in need of some good coping music. Excited to explore this band