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.
Three Times a Lady
Cloud Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm sorry I can't love you
I'm mashed potatoes and gravy
I'm sorry I can't love you
Once, twice, three times a lady
I'm sorry I can't love you
I'm mashed potatoes and gravy
The lyrics to Cloud Cult's song Three Times a Lady describe the singer's inability to reciprocate the love being offered to them. The repetition of "Once, twice, three times a lady" suggests that the singer has been approached with declarations of love multiple times, but they still feel incapable of returning those feelings. The metaphor of being "mashed potatoes and gravy" suggests that the singer feels like they are too basic or unsophisticated to be worthy of the love being offered to them. It's a self-deprecating way of expressing their feelings of inadequacy.
The chorus of the song is simple yet powerful, and it's a testament to Cloud Cult's ability to craft beautifully emotional lyrics. It's not clear who the singer is addressing in the song - it could be a specific person or a general feeling of unfulfilled love - but the sentiment is universal. The pain of not being able to love someone back is something that many people can relate to, and Three Times a Lady captures that feeling perfectly.
Line by Line Meaning
Once, twice, three times a lady
I have loved you in every way possible, with all my heart and soul, over and over again.
I'm sorry I can't love you
Despite how much I care for you, I am unable to give you the love that you deserve, and it breaks my heart.
I'm mashed potatoes and gravy
I am a comfort to you, like a warm and familiar home-cooked meal that you can always count on to soothe your soul.
I'm sorry I can't love you
I wish I could, but for reasons beyond my control, I cannot offer you the love that you have always desired.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LIONEL RICHIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind