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.
Transistor Radio
Cloud Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Though he turned in his bones twenty years ago,
And he said, "Kid, theres something that I'd like to show you,
Get your things, its time for us to go"
So I grabbed my backpack, my flashlight, and a bag of caramel corn,
I got my bicycle, and the radio, and I headed on the road, I said
"I'm ready for what I'm about to see, Yup"
Through rusty towns and dusty gravel roads
And I said, "Grandpa, where is this thing you wanted to show me?"
He said, "Kid, you got a long way to go"
So I went through canyons, caves and catacombs, I sailed on bicycle boats
I slept in chapels and brothels, I met the nicest folks
I said, "I'm ready for what I'm about to see, Yup"
I heard grandpa on my transistor radio
He said, "Kid, its time for me to go,
And I know that there was something that I wanted to show you,
But its time for you to find it on your own."
Let me tell you about rage when a signal died that day,
Theres nothing out there and I don't care--its to take my life away
"I'm not ready and I don't want to see, Nope"
Its been years since I heard my transistor radio
Yet I keep going to where it seems I'm meant to go
And I finally realized what he wanted to show me
Where I've been, where I am, is the show
Where I've been, where I am, is the show
Where I've been, where I am, is the show
The song Transistor Radio by Cloud Cult explores the idea of nostalgia and the way it can transport us back to the past. The singer hears their grandfather's voice on a transistor radio, even though he has been dead for twenty years. Intrigued, they set out to find their grandfather and the thing he wants to show them.
The singer's journey takes them through a series of adventures, from riding through canyons on a bicycle boat to sleeping in chapels and brothels. At first, the singer is excited to discover what their grandfather wants to show them, but as the journey becomes more treacherous, they become fearful and overwhelmed. In the end, the singer realizes that the journey itself was the thing their grandfather wanted to show them. The experiences they had along the way, both good and bad, have shaped who they are and where they are today.
The song invites the listener to reflect on their own experiences and the things that have led them to where they are now. It suggests that every moment we have lived has contributed to the larger story of our lives, and that even the difficult moments are worth cherishing because they have made us who we are.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard grandpa on my transistor radio,
Despite the fact that my grandpa has been dead for twenty years, I heard his voice on my transistor radio.
Though he turned in his bones twenty years ago,
It has been two decades since my grandfather passed away.
And he said, "Kid, theres something that I'd like to show you,
My grandfather had a desire to show me something important.
Get your things, its time for us to go"
He called me to collect my stuff, as it was time to leave and head out to an unknown location.
So I grabbed my backpack, my flashlight, and a bag of caramel corn,
I gathered my essentials that included a backpack carrying a flashlight and a pack of popcorn with caramel taste.
I got my bicycle, and the radio, and I headed on the road, I said
I got my radio and my bike, and we started our journey.
"I'm ready for what I'm about to see, Yup"
I was enthusiastic about what I was going to experience during the journey.
I headed north 'til rain had turned to snow
I went up to the north until rain turned into snow.
Through rusty towns and dusty gravel roads
I passed by run-down towns and dirty, gravel pathways.
And I said, "Grandpa, where is this thing you wanted to show me?"
I asked my grandfather to tell me the place he was talking about.
He said, "Kid, you got a long way to go"
He informed me that we still have a long journey ahead of us.
So I went through canyons, caves and catacombs, I sailed on bicycle boats
I travelled through canyons, caves, and catacombs and even used boats designed for bicycles on water surfaces.
I slept in chapels and brothels, I met the nicest folks
I slept in religious places and brothels, and I got to meet some lovely people as well.
I said, "I'm ready for what I'm about to see, Yup"
Again, I expressed my excitement for what's yet to come.
I heard grandpa on my transistor radio
Once again, my grandfather's voice was heard from my transistor radio.
He said, "Kid, its time for me to go,
My grandfather conveyed that it was his time to leave.
And I know that there was something that I wanted to show you,
He acknowledged that there was something that he failed to show me.
But its time for you to find it on your own."
However, he left the responsibility for me to find it on my own.
Let me tell you about rage when a signal died that day,
At one point, I experienced a heightened feeling of anger when the signal of my radio died.
Theres nothing out there and I don't care--its to take my life away
At that point, I felt that there was nothing out there, which got me disinterested, and it felt like life was being taken away from me.
"I'm not ready and I don't want to see, Nope"
I was not ready for the things I was going to see, and I didn't want to see it.
Its been years since I heard my transistor radio
These days, it has been years since I last heard the voice of my grandfather on the transistor radio.
Yet I keep going to where it seems I'm meant to go
However, I still keep going in the direction that I feel I'm meant to go, even without my grandfather's guidance.
And I finally realized what he wanted to show me
I came to understand what my grandfather wanted to show me.
Where I've been, where I am, is the show
The life journey I have been through, and where I am now is what my grandfather wanted to show me, which I eventually realized.
Where I've been, where I am, is the show
A repetition of the same meaning as the above line.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sommar_exe
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today marks 5 years since your last transmission. grandma - i miss you profoundly. turns out there is more for me in this world than i thought possible. often i wish for nothing more than to share it with you. im not sure i will get out to your gravestone again. this comment will live here in remembrance of you. for what it matters to me. love you
@amypeddle5748
This band should get more credit. They are so talented!!!
@sonoyta5386
Well said
@keniac14
Love this song and band. Went from MD to Portland, OR to see them and made a week vaca after. The friend who got me into Cloud Cult just passed last year :( cancer 62 years young. Love Cloud Cult.
@willveda
Shannon and Craig's harmony vocals are heavenly.
@peterson2k4
I saw them play in a high school theater in a small town in Wisconsin. Theybwere great even in that setting.
@EliaseViao
Look guys. iv listen to Cloud cult for almost as long as they been around. if you like one of their songs youll like them all. and they are all so different from each other. its as if Cloud cult is many genres and not just one
@coldfirevideo
This song is perfect, its so beautiful and hopeful. I love Cloud Cult so much!
@daveshareitalways4536
So joyful & beautiful. Just finding these guys and can’t wait to explore.
@codyvanhoorebeke4743
Back after all these years
@danielhamilton5437
In love with Cloud Cult!