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 Deaf Girl's Song
Cloud Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The one who sang a silent song
Although it's totally quiet
You can't help but hum along
Did you hear about the deaf girl
The one who wrote the silent CD
Although there's nothing to hear
She'll make the world stand still
She'll make the world stand still
And someone sing us a song
That makes us feel like raspberries in the middle of June
When the garden's just getting going
Someone sing us a song
That makes us feel like the coolest kid on the first day of school
You're as big as you're gonna get but you're still growing
Did you hear about the deaf girl
The one whose song's gone number one
Three minutes of silence on the radio
It's the best damn gift for everyone
Did you hear about the deaf girl
The one who made everything clear
If we could just shut up for a second
My darling, my dear, we might actually hear
She made the world stand still
She made the world stand still
And someone sing us a song
That makes us feel like the dead are breathing birthday balloons
And they blow and they blow and they blow
And someone sing us a song
That makes us feel like the fourth of July and New Year's Eve
Are making love in the snow
Ah-oh, ah-oh
The Deaf Girl's Song is a beautiful composition by Cloud Cult that celebrates the power of silence and the beauty that can be found in stillness. The lyrics speak of a deaf girl who sings a silent song, and yet manages to capture the hearts and imaginations of all who hear her. The song suggests that there is something transcendent about this silence, something that cannot be captured in words or sound, but can only be felt.
The song encourages listeners to embrace this silence and to truly listen to the world around them. Cloud Cult suggests that in this silence, in this stillness, there is something profound waiting to be discovered - something that is so magical it has the power to make "the world stand still."
The last verse is particularly powerful, as it encourages us to seek out that song that makes us feel alive, that makes us feel like we are part of something bigger than ourselves. This song, this feeling, is something that we all long for, something that we all need in our lives.
Overall, The Deaf Girl's Song is a moving and emotional tribute to the power of silence and the beauty of stillness. It encourages us to embrace the quiet and to truly listen to the world around us, and reminds us of the magic that can be found in the simplest things.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you hear about the deaf girl
Have you heard of the girl who cannot hear?
The one who sang a silent song
She sings without using her voice.
Although it's totally quiet
Even though there is no sound.
You can't help but hum along
Her music is so moving it compels you to join in.
The one who wrote the silent CD
She created a CD with no sound.
Although there's nothing to hear
Even though there is no noise to listen to.
I swear that there are things to be seen
But I assure you there are things to perceive.
She'll make the world stand still
Her work is so powerful that everything stops to take notice.
And someone sing us a song
We yearn for music that speaks to our souls.
That makes us feel like raspberries in the middle of June
We crave songs that make us feel like an experience in a season.
When the garden's just getting going
When spring is blooming and bestowing new life.
That makes us feel like the coolest kid on the first day of school
We want a song that reminds us of the euphoria of starting anew.
You're as big as you're gonna get but you're still growing
Life never stops teaching and growing us, no matter what age we are.
The one whose song's gone number one
Her music has become a chart-topping hit.
Three minutes of silence on the radio
The entire song is silent.
It's the best damn gift for everyone
It is an amazing present for all who hear it.
The one who made everything clear
She brought clarity to everything around her.
If we could just shut up for a second
If we could just be silent for a moment.
My darling, my dear, we might actually hear
Then, my love, we might understand the beauty that surrounds us.
That makes us feel like the dead are breathing birthday balloons
A tune that causes us to feel alive and joyful.
And they blow and they blow and they blow
As if we are the ones exhaling life.
That makes us feel like the fourth of July and New Year's Eve
A song that evokes memories of fireworks, celebrations and renewal.
Are making love in the snow
A tune that creates a surreal mental picture.
Ah-oh, ah-oh
A vocalization to add emphasis to the lyrics.
Contributed by Aria T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.