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.
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Cloud Cult Lyrics
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You gave me a kiss on the cheek
I asked if you would be my sweet
You said "baby not me"
I mowed your lawn yesterday
You gave me six bucks
And I say "lets have some lemonade"
I built your cupboards out of my bones
Shoveled your snow with an ice-cream cone
I asked if you would be my own
You said "leave me alone"
I raked your leaves with my toes
Tilled your garden with my nose
Asked if you would be my beau
You said "no no no"
The song "Washed Your Car" by Cloud Cult is a story of unrequited love. Through four verses, the songwriter tells the story of a person who is in love with someone, but their love is not returned. The song opens with the singer washing the person's car and asking if they could be sweet to each other. However, the other person responds with a rejection, stating they couldn't be sweet. This rejection escalates with each verse, with the singer mowing the person's lawn and trying to share lemonade with them, but being rejected again. They then build cupboards out of their bones and shovel snow with an ice-cream cone, but the person still rejects them. Finally, the singer rakes leaves with their toes and tills the garden with their nose, asking to be the person's beau, but all they receive is a firm "no".
The song portrays a sense of hopeful obsession and the persistence of love despite all odds. The singer is willing to do anything for the person they love, but they are not reciprocated. This unrequited love is a common theme in many love songs, but the way this song is written gives it a unique twist. The story is told in a lighthearted manner with a catchy melody, which contrasts with the heavy emotions the lyrics evoke.
Overall, the song "Washed Your Car" is a tale of romantic rejection and unrequited love. It is a reminder of the importance of following one's heart and the bravery required to show vulnerability, even when the outcome may not be what we hope for.
Line by Line Meaning
I washed your car last week
I did a kind act for you not too long ago
You gave me a kiss on the cheek
You showed me your gratitude with a simple expression of affection
I asked if you would be my sweet
I expressed my desire to be romantically involved with you
You said "baby not me"
You declined my romantic proposal
I mowed your lawn yesterday
I did another kind act for you recently
You gave me six bucks
You compensated me for my hard work
And I say "lets have some lemonade"
I suggested we spend some time together and enjoy each other's company
You said "go away"
You rejected my offer of companionship, possibly out of disinterest or annoyance
I built your cupboards out of my bones
I put a tremendous amount of effort and sacrifice into creating something for you
Shoveled your snow with an ice-cream cone
I used an unconventional tool to complete a task for you
I asked if you would be my own
I once again expressed my desire to be in a relationship with you
You said "leave me alone"
You made it clear that you did not want me to pursue any kind of connection with you
I raked your leaves with my toes
I continued to do tasks for you in a unique and creative way
Tilled your garden with my nose
I even went so far as to use an unconventional body part to complete a task for you
Asked if you would be my beau
I once again expressed my desire to be romantically involved with you
You said "no no no"
You made it very clear, once again, that you were not interested in a relationship with me
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind