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 Ghost Inside Our House
Cloud Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or was it wishful thinkin'?
Oh god, don't leave us by ourselves
Or we're bound to take up drinkin'
Please send us a miracle
So I know that there is meaning
I said, "I think that it's a miracle
So live on
Baby live on
Live on
Baby live on
Packed up my clothes in a grocery bag
I'm going to find the creator
An old man in the clouds or a happy little alien
Whoever it is I need to thank her
And even though I don't know God
I'm happy with the mystery
And I'm certain that I feel it
Every time that you sing to me
Songs, you say
Life is like a song
It's a song
A hum-able song
I watched you sleep until 5 am
Cause I want to be part of your dreaming
Oh love, don't leave me by myself
Or I'm bound to lose my meaning
We'll start a little family
And call it our religion
Hunt for ghosts inside our house
'Cause we'll never give up wishing
That we live on
May we live on
In our song
Our hum-able song
In Cloud Cult's song "The Ghost Inside Our House," the singer speaks of seeing a ghost in their home and questioning whether it was real or just their imagination. They express their fear of being alone and turning to drinking if left by themselves. The singer desperately asks for a miracle to give their life meaning, and believes that simply being alive and breathing is a miracle.
The singer then speaks of packing up their belongings in a grocery bag to go search for the creator, whether it be an old man in the clouds or a happy little alien, to thank them. Though they do not claim to know God, they are content with the mystery and feeling that comes from music. They express their desire to be a part of their loved one's dreams, fearing that without them they will lose their own meaning. They plan to start a family and find ghosts in their house, never giving up their wish for their song to live on.
The song speaks to the human desire for meaning and connection, and the fear of being alone and losing oneself. It also touches on the idea of spirituality and the unknown, and the comfort that can be found through music and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
We saw a ghost inside our house
We experienced something strange in our home and wondered if it was a ghost or if we were just imagining things.
Or was it wishful thinkin'?
We wondered if our desire to experience something supernatural made us see things that weren't really there.
Oh god, don't leave us by ourselves
We feel scared and alone, and we're hoping that a higher power is looking out for us.
Or we're bound to take up drinkin'
If we feel too isolated and hopeless, we might turn to alcohol as a way to cope.
Please send us a miracle
We're asking for a sign that there is meaning and purpose in the universe.
So I know that there is meaning
If we receive a miracle or a clear sign, it will validate our belief that life has meaning.
I said, "I think that it's a miracle
I'm putting faith in the idea that even our everyday experiences can be miraculous.
Just to be breathin'"
The mere fact of being alive and breathing is something to appreciate and find wonder in.
So live on
We should keep going and not give up hope, even when things feel hard.
Baby live on
Addressing a loved one, reminding them to keep persevering and living life to the fullest.
Packed up my clothes in a grocery bag
Feeling a sense of urgency or desperation, the singer is leaving home with few belongings.
I'm going to find the creator
Seeking the source of all things, trying to find a reason for why things are the way they are.
An old man in the clouds or a happy little alien
A playful way of representing the various forms that a higher power could take in the singer's imagination.
Whoever it is I need to thank her
Expressing gratitude to the unknown or unseen force that has helped the singer in their life.
And even though I don't know God
Admitting that there are many unknowns in the universe, and the singer doesn't claim to have all the answers.
I'm happy with the mystery
Finding contentment in the unknown and the unknowable aspects of life.
And I'm certain that I feel it
Even if there is no clear evidence for a higher power, the artist has a strong intuition or sense of connection to something larger.
Every time that you sing to me
The singer finds a sense of comfort and meaning in the music and the voice of a loved one.
Songs, you say
Addressing the idea that music can tell stories and convey emotions in ways that are both powerful and elusive.
Life is like a song
Drawing a metaphor between life and music, where both have ups and downs, rhythms and melodies.
It's a song
Life is something that we can participate in and create, as if we were writing our own song.
A hum-able song
The goal is to make one's life as enjoyable and memorable as a catchy tune that sticks in your head.
I watched you sleep until 5 am
Admiring a loved one and feeling a sense of connection through their sleeping body and dreams.
Cause I want to be part of your dreaming
Expressing a desire to be close to someone and share the joys (or even the nightmares) of their unconscious mind.
Oh love, don't leave me by myself
Feeling a sense of vulnerability and dependence on another person for comfort and support.
Or I'm bound to lose my meaning
If the singer feels completely alone and disconnected, they might lose their sense of purpose and motivation.
We'll start a little family
Planning for the future and imagining a scenario where the singer can create meaning and connection through family life.
And call it our religion
Suggesting that the love and connection of a family could become a guiding force in the artist's life, almost like a religious conviction.
Hunt for ghosts inside our house
Using the idea of searching for supernatural phenomena as a way to maintain a sense of hope and curiosity in life.
'Cause we'll never give up wishing
Even if the search for ghosts or meaning seems fruitless, the singer is determined to keep hoping and trying.
That we live on
Reinforcing the idea that life is something we should cherish and fight to preserve, even when it feels hard.
May we live on
Wishing the same for oneself and others, hoping that everyone can find a way to keep going and find joy in life.
In our song
Echoing the earlier metaphor of life as a song, something we can all contribute to and find meaning in.
Our hum-able song
Reinforcing the idea that life should be a joy and a pleasure, something that we can hum and enjoy even when times are tough.
Contributed by Blake F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.