ミラクルミュージカル - Variations on a Cloud「LYRICS VIDEO」

[@AndAlsoDuogrr]

Unfortunately, KZbin has decided that, without much in terms of a meaningful explanation, take down the original music video for Variations on a Cloud, leaving this as ne of only possible ways to watch any sort of video alongside this song. Hopefully KZbin reverses this decision, as it'd be a shame to see that video disappear. While this video is a reupload of a separate lyric video that never really was easily accessible, I don't intend to reupload the official video, as id prefer to wait and see if it gets reinstated, or at least find a way to support an official reupload elsewhere. To keep track of the situation, check out the official twitter account here: twitter.com/mmyujikaru and send them your support. I sincerely wish them the best!

[@pho_is_not_interesting]

I was about to comment about it! Let's hope it gets put back up :(

[@play_hd3]

Wow I was looking for the original video and couldn't fine it. I'd really hate if youtube doesn't bring it back

[@awesomecoolmanepic996]

It's probably because of the 9/11 footage

[@play_hd3]

@@awesomecoolmanepic996 yeah that's what the song is about

[@play_hd3]

@@awesomecoolmanepic996 yeah I know but it wasn't done in a disrespectful way. Just because 1 or a few people don't like something doesn't mean no one should be able to see it

[@420Crows]

yo i cant believe john lennon and vsause michael made a song together

[@andrewhernandez5733]

I can’t believe John the Beatles made a song with vsause Micheal

[@Messier__]

:)

[@amori9389]

I can see his fingers. not close enough

[@Claire.blain.]

i know right insane

[@shoebill-gaming42069]

Hell yeah man

[@xlox7486]

I like the slightly altered ruler of everything

[@mb778_]

We've been to this scene

[@nexongn]

I’m pretty sure ruler of everything is the slightly altered variations on a cloud

[@xlox7486]

@@nexongn yes

[@xlox7486]

@@nexongn I know I'm talking bout that one verse I'm sorry if I sounded like I thought this was the same song

[@krakennvlyat]

@nexongn I mean, possibly but ruler of everything came out way before this.

[@PokeAndDestroy]

i get this song is about 9/11 but for some reason i always view it as a sort of farewell to tally hall (its mostly cause of the ruler of everything reference at the end) and when you think of it like that its honestly really bittersweet, sad but nostalgic, a sort of "i miss it but im glad it happened"

[@TuckyBlue]

Well, death of the author and all.

[@totallyrealcia]

It honestly makes more sense to me that way, I really don't think it works very well as a tribute to 9/11

[@wumpus976]

@@totallyrealcia yeah, it seems like it’s too much of a stretch to assume it’s a song about 9/11. I would say that it’s much more of a grand reprise of all of their songs.

[@TylerMations]

@@wumpus976 if you watch the music video. It literally has footage of 9/11

[@wumpus976]

@@TylerMations oh.

[@nobleneonshadows4439]

I like the subtle detail that they're both wearing glasses to symbolize that they see things differently. At least that's what I think.

[@NOTADFIVE]

It's a good thought because they both do sing different lyrics in parts of the song

[@kingensha]

Why are tally hall fans so deep

[@fireninja5669]

@@kingensha because we have spare time

[@balisongboi7163]

You sound like a fucking english teacher it's not that deep

[@nobleneonshadows4439]

@@balisongboi7163 LOL!

[@prins5793]

"Jesse Im gonna turn to a sock puppet and sing an altered version of Ruler of Everything"

[@bemblob]

This is my favorite comment ever

[@Multitudes-e5n]

That doesn’t account for postman pat singing with him.

[@grayanddevpdx]

That’s about 9/11

[@Marshtard]

he turned himself into a sock puppet funniest shit i've ever seen

[@beautifulmeeses]

This is truly the moment Walter became -heisenberg- a fucking puppet

[@valentinaaugustina]

No one talks about it but the “ok jump” section is the same chords, almost the same beat, as the end part of Spring and a Storm

[@occasionalfan-content4771]

thats cause I skip when theres a minute left 😳 scares me too much

[@MrMoriLives]

Wait really? I can’t hear it

[@crownedcorn4380]

Where exactly do you mean by" the end part" of the song? I'm struggling to hear it ;-;l

[@artsysundae]

@@crownedcorn4380 i listened to the songs again and the beat at 0:46 where he says “ok jump to end it all, let this one be to break the fall” kind of reminds me of the beat in spring and a storm when it goes “and the rain came down that day, and it drained my soul away” (at 1:52 in spring and a storm) idk if that’s what part they were talking about though, and im not sure if it’s actually a motif, but it sounds similar! (i think im gonna keep trying to find it lol) i also feel like the guitar at the end of spring and a storm matches up with “it’s a little bit of magic to end the world” but im probably thinking about it too much lol

[@crownedcorn4380]

@@artsysundae tysm! This is super helpful. I'm thinking of making a video including all the motifs so I'm really grateful I got this response so fast.

[@Thorne-In-Your-Side]

This has an interesting number of motifs. Isle Unto Thy Self, Murders, Dream Sweet in Sea Major, and Ruler of Everything. Did I miss any?

[@AndAlsoDuogrr]

sounds like all of them to me as far as I can tell, although I wouldn't be surprised if there were other motifs hidden (in the sand) that I just haven't noticed

[@koura7883]

the only one i noticed was ruler of everything edit: i know specifically what part of isle unto thy self was used but i cant find it in the song

[@rehnhuang1529]

A bit of murders I think

[@interscendant]

I heard all except D.S.I.S.M, where was it?

[@planetariansaturn8593]

Ok Boomer 1:47 there you have

[@pluv1e]

>tfw when you think theres one legitimately happy song on hawaii part 2 but it's actually about 9/11 and suicide

[@anikkikaru4991]

Excuse me , what?

[@totallynotdarkmatter9405]

Yes please share with the classroom.

[@420Crows]

the original music video has lots of 9/11 visual, was uploades on September 11th, the description said in memoriam, and theres litterally a line that says "okay jump, to end it all" and the suicide represented with jumping, pared with the 9/11 visuals is about the 9/11 jumpers, people who jumped put of the building to atleast not burn to death which is longer and more painful

[@totallynotdarkmatter9405]

@@420Crows thanks for explaining

[@idoasraff8513]

this song is not in Hawaii part ii it's a single

[@papertiger4525]

Though I love the whole 2:10 part, I find one of the line changes really fascinating. “Do you like how my face has learned to tick like a clock?” A big part of Ruler Of Everything to me is that mankind never truly realizes the scope to which time will progress, and so it sort of sneaks up and blindsides them. That’s a huge part of the man with zirconium pants, that he can’t comprehend how time will go on without him. But assuming it’s the same character here, he’s fully accepted it, and isn’t in such a morbid position anymore. It’s just a really fascinating change. I can’t say much about Powerful Bob, though.

[@AndAlsoDuogrr]

my theory for Powerful Bob is that its supposed to be rob cantor, because the vocals in this song are a duet between joe and rob and its joe singing the powerful bob line, and here are times where rob is called bobby so bob being a nickname for him would work.

[@papertiger4525]

@@AndAlsoDuogrr Ooh, neat! One other thing worth noting is “He eulogizes me for being geocentric”, which seems to run perpendicular to Ruler Of Everything. A worldview that centers on Earth, versus the idea of accepting time’s inevitability. Maybe this implies there’s some sort of balance to seek out, and neither party was truly right - take pride in what you love, but don’t let it blind you from reality’s other truths.

[@AndAlsoDuogrr]

@@papertiger4525 that is a pretty compelling interpretation! one thing i always found to be a really interesting parallel is that if you look at the lyrics, in ruler of everything it goes "i have a wonderful wife, i have a powerful job" vs variations on a cloud's "i have a wonderful life i know a powerful bob" despite having very different things, they both end up being a person and an idea, the wife and "bob", and the life and job. and in a way, they kind of parallel each others meanings, in one world you find happiness in family with a wife you truly love, but feeding into the power dynamics of the workforce with having a powerful job, compared to finding true personal meaning in your life, but having friends around you instead feed into that power dynamic of using them and thier own personal power as a way to almost brag and find your own position of power. who knows, maybe the powerful bob is the man from ruler of everything, having his power from his powerful job, and in a way variations is less of an evolution of lessons and more so an idealistic conflict that kind of turns into the acceptance of differing sides. no matter where you stand on politics and issues, youll always end up having some sort of inner peace in an aspect of your life that can be seen as inspiring and beautiful, but the truth is you'll also have that ugly side of you that takes advantage of whatever power you have access to, and that truly is just what human nature is.

[@papertiger4525]

@@AndAlsoDuogrr I've been thinking about this song even more in the past day, and it's amazing how much you can come up with from it. Miracle Musical did an immaculate job on it. And I don't know how I didn't notice this before, but its very title and theming fit into what I was saying before about there not being one definitively "correct" view on the time issue brought up from the Ruler Of Everything tie-in. *Variations On A Cloud*, by the very nature of its title, is about two people who firmly stand by their opposing viewpoints, without letting anyone change their interpretation. This conflict gets set up from the very first line: "Both of us see a cloud, *or whatever we may believe.*" There's an inherent realization that neither side is truly correct, and that's highlighted when the two singers diverge in their lyrics. "Floating inside/outside the sky, give us everything everyday/nothing in every way" is the most prominent case of this in the song to me, since their stances have put them as direct opposites to each other. That being said, in regards to the change from wonderful wife to wonderful life, I really love your interpretation of the different sources of happiness and power dynamics. What I personally like to think about for that specific word change of wife to life is that the singer (assuming it IS the same guy from Ruler Of Everything) has embraced his life as a whole, instead of focusing on specific achievements (his job, his wife, his zirconium pants). Those things haven't left him, but he's embracing them with more sincerity than before, whereas they used to be simple bragging points for him. God, this song just keeps me coming back. (And coming back, and coming back.)

[@kyle.bylone256]

@Gemtem imagine

[@dijon3749]

One day I want a documentary/movie about Tally Hall with this as the end credits

[@idcaboutusernames]

Here’s a recent tally hall documentary with this as the end credits! The person who made it must have listened to your comment! kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2mVpHqEm76LbK8

[@neonrl1414]

BRO, you just predicted the future.

[@FiSH-iSH]

👁👁

[@tumurutumurutumuru]

Holy crap dude what the heck

[@Sewage_water]

Theres a 3 hour documentary

[@basetwo1053]

This isn’t just a reprise as an ending to Hawaii: Part II, this is a reprise of Tally Hall in and of itself.

[@Tendo987]

Yes as it's not even in the official playlist

[@glunkert]

It's also about 9/11 💀

[@torna2508]

It's the zeroth track in Hawaii pt.2 I see it as the transition from Tally Hall to Miraclr Musical

[@Sim0n_Wasmad]

This comment implies that Tally Hall has at the very least SOME relevance to 9/11

[@vannishd]

I love how the puppet that sings Joe's lines looks exactly like Joe Hawley and then the puppet that sing's Rob's lines looks literally nothing like rob cantor

[@Johnny_Sweatpants]

lol

[@penwaste]

the other puppet is yellow in the music video iirc

[@trulynotsimon]

Which is which? I think Joe is on the left.?

[@luba2011lm]

​@@trulynotsimon Yeah, Joe is left and Rob is right

[@waldornprime5567]

2:26 BRO THEY DIDNT HAVE TO GO THAT HARD

[@StarLight-yp7qp]

But they did

[@banjofrog3322]

ayo what i found my twin

[@waldornprime5567]

@@banjofrog3322 YOOOO

[@nedac2499]

IKR😭😭😖

[@AverageUsernames]

@@nedac2499 Call 9/11 for "police"?

[@iexist2786]

So this is what I’ve gathered from both my observations and other comments for this video: 1. Obviously the song is about 9/11 2. Them talking about jumping is referencing people who were trapped in the twin towers that took their own lives by jumping to their deaths 3. The two puppets having different perspectives on the clouds is in reference to the many different reactions and opinions on 9/11 and the events afterwards 4. Everything being gray symbolizes how morally gray most people view America’s actions after 9/11 as well as how controversial politics were in general around that time 5. The line “Why don’t we keep it coming back?” Is a reference to the “9/11 never forget” which has been said to honor those who died during the events of the tragedy 6. The clouds symbolize the smoke that came from the towers If anyone has any other observations please list them in the reply section and I will add them to this comment.

[@Timetraveler2411]

The fact that they’re both puppets is a reference to how Kermit the frog is the actual culprit to 9/11 You CANT censor the truth media

[@miraseum]

the lyric “it’s a little bit of magic to the end of the world” is an observation i made. i wasn’t alive during the attacks but my parents were, obviously. every year my parents and i have a conversation about what it was like living through the attacks, my parents weren’t personally there but my dad worked in a tall office building. every year my dad told me how he feared for his life, how my mom was doing and if she was okay. everything was uncertain and he and a lot of other people genuinely thought that 9/11 was going to be the end of the world, hence the lyric.

[@AverageUsernames]

@@Timetraveler2411 You're wrong, santa is actually behind the 2/26 attack on wtc, that's why you're not recieving gifts anymore.

[@dragoncat9153]

The opening lines might be about people inside the towers not believing it could be a plane

[@Ave_Satana666]

No it actually sounds more like one guy who was a fan of another but the guy he was a fan of is etheir to depressed to do anything new or nothing like he thought he would be.

[@_nyantah_7492]

I know this is gonna sound cheesy but this song makes me really emotional.

[@youmaylaughnow9112]

That isn't cheesy to be sad

[@softsoap.3152]

It seems like an ending to a long series

[@mysterykid8808]

Considering the context that really isn’t cheesy at all

[@mint3465]

I'm sorry but all I could think when I read this was >Cheesy >You're a mouse

[@notto5937]

Cheese tastes pretty good, I'm fine with that.

[@artsysundae]

timestamps for the motifs because i have too much time on my hands 👀 1:07: Murders (The part at 1: 43 in Murders) 1:33: Isle Unto Thyself (The part at 1: 38 of Isle Unto Thyself) 1:47: Dream Sweet in Sea Major (The part at 0: 49 and 5: 40 in DSISM) 2:11: Welcome To Tally Hall (The music at around 3: 40 in Welcome to Tally Hall) although this might be a stretch, OR Ruler of Everything at 1 : 29 in the backing vocals!!! 2:13: Ruler of Everything: (The part that goes do you like how I walk, do you like how I talk, etc.) 0:46: Also the part where he says “ok jump to end it all, let this one be to break the fall” reminds me of the beat in Spring and a Storm that goes “and the rain came down that day, and it drained my soul away” ! (at 1: 52 in spring and a storm) i’m not sure if that’s just a coincidence though, but someone mentioned it and i tried to look for it lol. also the part that goes “it’s a little bit of magic to end the world” at 0:54 reminds me of something, but i can’t put my finger on it. it sounds like something from the good & evil album, but it might be nothing lol

[@aloafofbread3891]

i love how deep this song goes. feels like a reprise of both miracle music & tally hall at once

[@inaciobits682]

This is Tally hall's credits theme

[@wormcake_]

thanks for this list, I saw that someone said that there was a dsism motif in this song but I could never find it.

[@nate8284]

0:54 is & I’m pretty sure

[@artsysundae]

@@nate8284 oo wait what part of & is it? 👀

[@AndAlsoDuogrr]

Hey all you people coming to this video as Tally Hall fans! Make sure to check out Needlejuice Records all new releases of Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum on vinyl, cassette, and cd, along with the just a friend 7''! Its really cool to finally see this band getting the attention it deserves and if that release goes well, then im sure Good & Evil won't be too far off, and with enough support, we might finally even get another rerelease of Hawaii Part II and hopefully a physical release of this song too for the 1st time in a long while! This isn't an ad or anything by the way, im just a passionate fan hoping to support them in any way I can and if we could preserve a physical discography market that won't be going away any time soon like past releases, that'd be a big dub for the tally hall community!

[@scarletpachyderm]

okay, thank you!!

[@regularbanter253]

@@scarletpachyderm sheen

[@scarletpachyderm]

@@regularbanter253 The Cowlick Show

[@1000dumplings]

LET'S GOOOO

[@bigphatdummie5310]

HECK YES

[@jollygreenjeff2640]

“We’ve been to this scene; aboriginal meme.” At the start of the ruler of everything verse? They knew

[@TheWither129]

Apparently the whole song is a mix of other songs. That kinda explains the “variations” in the title. The song is a memorial to 9/11 and older songs by Joe and tally hall

[@tuser8]

@@TheWither129 Cept of course they meant the actual meaning of meme, not anything to do with memes as we know them

[@TheWither129]

@@tuser8 of course, though i dont see where i mentioned that

[@tuser8]

@@TheWither129 Whoops replied to the wrong one

[@acidsolman5665]

This was 3 years before roe became a bigger meme tho

[@BoyusGoyus]

this song is so good i keep on coming back and coming back, and coming back

[@StarLight-yp7qp]

Keep it coming back, and coming back, and coming back

[@keonayi123]

(Join if you wish)

[@StarLight-yp7qp]

@@keonayi123 keep it coming back, and coming back, and coming back. Why don’t we keep it coming back, and coming back

[@keonayi123]

@@StarLight-yp7qp These days it's...

[@thanhhangvothi8064]

Hard to find friends but opportunities bend

[@astricblue194]

This feels like a final goodbye to Tally Hall and what it could've been, with Bora, Ross, and Joe having their own songs sampled along with the most iconic tally hall song "ruler of everything" being variated.

[@mangelsimonpaniello2256]

The fact that in the Ruler of Everything-like part, Man gets to say the original line (from the demo) "do you like how my face has learned to tick like a clock". It is theorized that in the final version of Ruler of Everything the line gets changed by Time altering what Man was about to say. But here in Variations on a Cloud it's unaltered. Time is nowhere to be seen or heard, because this Man... is out of Time [Edited for clarity]

[@glassofwater281]

I saw it as the same guy (Juno) finally accepting his death. Time hammered the point into his head that the things he thought mattered like money don't matter in the grand scheme of things, which is why he interrupted him. When finally faced with his death, he understands this ("face has learned to tick like a clock" and "geocentric"). The song is really beautiful

[@Marth-o3y]

2:13 THIS RULER OF EVERYTHING PART SOUNDS AMAZING

[@nedac2499]

the altered ruler of everything gives goosebumps every TIME 🥺🥺

[@angrygermankid5868]

this song has so many meanings, it even has multiple meanings to the title

[@Soupcan6233]

2:11 Hands down one of the best parts outside of scattering sparks from mind electric

[@Justarandomtexantumbleweed817]

I personally prefer the see how the surfs work the ground in the mind electric or literally all of chonny jash’s versions of the mind electric (the heart acoustic the mind electric and the soul eclectic)

[@mothgyaru3158]

This feels like the closest thing to a 4D song in our world

[@SallyKhaled13]

I cried while listening to this while they’re saying “keep it coming back” and some ruler of everything lines, I miss Tallyhall so much.

[@JohnWick-vv7dw]

I have never been more obsessed with an artist in a longggg time .. and I have no one to share this with that will get why it's so special to me.. Super happy to see everyone here

[@fronounxes]

this is genuinely my favourite song ever..

[@films-LaCroix]

Why

[@fronounxes]

Thistle_Minds Madness1 reasons not even i can comprehend

[@June-413]

@@films-LaCroix it's really good

[@MyCommentsAreStupid-m8e]

W opinion

[@adamsparty]

LEITMOTIFS 0:00 - Stranded Lullaby 0:13 - Good Day 0:46 - Spring and a Storm 0:54 - Time Machine 1:06 - Murders 1:13 - Isle Unto Thyself (at 1:48) 1:20 - & (Listen to the background chords and melody) 1:33 - Isle Unto Thyself 1:46 - Dream Sweet In Sea Major (at 5:40) 1:57 - Stranded Lullaby (at 0:42) 2:00 - Dream Sweet in Sea Major 2:11 - Welcome to Tally Hall (at 3:40) and Good Day (at 2:19) 2:13 - Ruler of Everything 2:38 - The Mind Electric 2:40 - Dream Sweet in Sea Major 2:54 - Stranded Lullaby

[@Drajho1]

😊

[@le_saimon]

Wow, you noticed the laught from electric mind, not everyone see it

[@tweer64]

2:11 is likely a reference to the backing vocals in Ruler of Everything that support the line "You're making me cry. This is the way that I am".

[@tweer64]

​@@le_saimon It's not the Mind Electric laugh. The Mind Electric laugh is likely based off the laugh from Zelda II. The laugh here is just a "ha ha ha ha", which is the same laugh heard in Ruler of Everything.

[@locki3336]

In the beginning I started to listen to Miracle Musical casually then TallyHall. I didn't know that they were related at all. I then listened to this song months later from finding TallyHall. So you can imagine the mental recoil I experienced from listening to the altered Ruler of Everything lyrics.

[@AshleyYayyyy]

o7 Rest in peace to the lives that were lost in this tragedy. May God bless them and their souls.

[@sinderbloq6466]

Gromit mug

[@PleasantGr8ient]

i’ve never listened to music very much, but a puppet that resembles John Lennon singing about 9/11 has me on loop

[@kamstewart7755]

What a beautiful song really. It really is a conversation of great depth in the physical world as it is coming to a close and that the characters must finalize their statements on the world before it ends for them. The jump line is just amazing. Maybe people see it being about 9/11 as offensive or weird, but it is a important, topical and interesting topic for a series of songs. How have more musicians not done more on this subject. The album itself is really a play and the backdrop is 9/11. The darkness of theme and backdrop while have a cheerful conversation about clouds... well it just creates a somber and powerfully emotional tone. Joe Hawley... thank you.

[@-AAA-147]

Honestly Demon Days by Gorillaz is the only other music I can think of that's about 9/11 and its ramifications (Dirty Harry, El Mañana).

[@AdrianShephardOpposing]

i heard that this song might be about 2 psychopathic rulers not caring about deaths as long as it benefits them, so they see 9/11 as well a cloud they see it as not deaths but a cloud they dont care about the deaths and honestly, this theory is great

[@basalt9628]

Im here Just for the ruler of everything

[@jonathanconsumerofcement]

I love how Joe Hawley puppet falls to the side at the end (very silly cool)

[@Ar_sole_hair_fiddler]

I believe left symbolises tally hall and the right miracle musical. The left literally uses variations of lyrics from ruler of everything while the right uses original lyrics as well as melodies from miracle musical songs. They have drastically different tones, the left is optimistic and relatively simple, while the right is cynical and pessimistic. Ruler of everything and variations on a cloud are the two greatest songs made by Joe Hawley in my opinion; they both feel like the most grandiose and impactful songs of his career.

[@ElaborateTerrace]

For any of you wondering, the closest match to the font they used is Arial Rounded MT. The apostrophe is slightly different but the text is like 99% the same

[@tobyisawesome]

No one was wondering this

[@axolatte]

@@tobyisawesome I wasn't wondering it but I appreciate the gesture. sometimes people wanna make projects/art and this kinda stuff comes in handy. I'm sure at least one person will find it useful

[@tweer64]

1:06 - Murders 1:33 - Isle Unto Thyself + Time Machine (Synths) 1:47 - Dream Sweet in Sea Major (Arpeggios [String Pizz and synth at end]) 2:11 - Ruler of Everything (Likely a reference to the backing vocals during the line "You're making me cry. This is the way that I am" part) 2:13 - More Ruler of Everything 2:25 - This lick is from Ruler of Everthing (played by electric piano in both songs) 2:40 - Dream Sweet in Sea Major (Arpeggios) again + Time Machine (Synths) + The Mind Electric (Reamplification Effects)

[@m5tigerman]

I now understand the Dream Sweet in Sea Major reference at 1:47 , but I still hear it somehow. Edit: Thanks for helping me understand that.

[@jae.lorin.]

2:27 it's like it's a ruler of everything reprise

[@PinkNinjaKitty50]

Not me memorizing Rob's part of the song so I can sing along with Joe in the Sonic Lunch video because he's just so lonely up there 😭

[@mapleshadeeatscats]

Aww that’s really nice :)

[@churr_bum]

That Ruler of Everything motif really got me. It's nice to see they still remember Tally Hall, even after they ended the band.

[@EliasPluto]

First time I listened to this song I felt very nub towards the actual meaning but on a second listen it made my heart wrench to think of how people who wanted to live their lives to the fullest were forced to end it quickly to not die a more painful death. I know millions have said things like this before but I still felt the need to share,

[@Giovane2230]

Here we are, keep it coming back.

[@leyulis8882]

This is... Legitimately such a well handled take over the events described during the song, it's respectful to the tragedy of 9/11 while also having a personality of it's own and i'm honestly surprised this song wasn't mentioned during it's time, topics like these are hard to talk about, even more so are they hard to have songs without seeming disrespectful, but this was genuinely so well handled by not directly mentioning the event, but rather giving off hints while the song goes on, this song is just beautiful as well

[@theMailmansHere]

For those who don't understand the song, or understand its about 9/11 but don't get some of the lyrics, this is my interpretation: During 9/11, after the first plane hit, people had to jump out of the building to end their lives faster. Since the building was on fire, they didn't want to burn to death or lose oxygen. The song, from my understanding, is two co-workers trying to get themselves to jump out, though they know they will die in the end. All they can see is a dark cloud of smoke, and by jumping through, they don't truly know what is on the other side. I think the part with Ruler Of Everything is one of the guys having a mental breakdown while the other tries to snap him out of it so they can think. One of the choruses in this is exactly the same as Isle Unto Thyself, making me think this was probably the first version of that song, before it was adapted into the entire album of miracle musical, but that's just a theory. In that song though, you can see lyrics like "I was a victim of magic" which seems to be a call back to the line in Variations on a Cloud where he says jumping out will be a "little bit of magic to end the world". Also, in Isle Unto Thyself, there's the lines "Long but forgotten, all the planets fell to dust, and Apollo catching my breath as I bled on the ground" which are all references to 9/11 and some even related to jumping out of the towers. Joe Hawley has confirmed that his album Hawaii: Part II is about 9/11, and the album cover even has two palm trees in the middle of a plain ocean sticking out (or two towers scraping the sky and sticking out of the clouds) with a shark/wale/to-be-decided running directly into one of the trees from your line of site. Knowing Joe, this was more than likely intentional. Just listen to the album, its also owned by his account Miracle Musical (ミラクルミュージカル) and there is probably a lot I never mentioned

[@amgkhronos9177]

I would like to add something, the "Keep it coming back." may be a commentary how there is a day all about 9/11 and how everyone keeps talking about it. That's what I think, it might not be correct though. Anyways, you made some rally good points in your comment and I just want to say good job.

[@perhapsinpassing]

Doesn't Hawaii Part: ii have a confirmed story? At least the one that I've heard seems to have nothing to do with 9/11. So I'm just wondering how specifically Hawaii Part: ii is about 9/11.

[@tyrionfordragon]

​@@perhapsinpassingHawaii part ii does not have any confirmed story. I knew variations on a cloud was 9/11 based, but Hawaii part ii is completely unrelated to variations on a cloud

[@PERSON-ww1rn]

suddenly the entire album was flipped on it's head because of this one song that's not even in the album

[@Meleedroit]

​@@tyrionfordragonif it doesnt have a confirmed story,, then whats with all the mentions of simon in the album

[@samjetstream9]

The callback to ruler of everything makes this even more of a bittersweet song within the context of this being the creation of an ex tally hall member

[@nillasoup]

2:10 PLS THIS PART GOES SO HARD

[@srflipp_]

2:12 Hearing ruler of Everything gotta be the same feeling FnaF fans had watching the film

[@El_Masca_Milanesas]

The part where they sing a bit of ruler of everything feels like a silvagunner video where the original track plays for a while and then another song comes out of nowhere.

[@cathacker13]

I feel like this is an appropriate song to play today

[@tari7868]

:(

[@FiSH-iSH]

i forgot to play it on 9/11 so i just played it on 9/12 instead please forgive me

[@taramusical]

I know the song is about 9/11, but I've always interpreted it to be about coming to terms with the fragility human relationships. At first, meeting new people is exciting. But throughout our lives, we see how even the strongest friendships can collapse in an instant. After a while, we become jaded and "spend our chance sitting on the side of the fence" because "we can't believe what we see won't be burned to the ground". We're so afraid to form new connections out of fear of losing them. And yet, we still keep coming back. No matter how much we swear to ourselves that we won't get close to anyone ever again, we inevitably do because it's in our nature. I could write more, but a KZbin comment isn't the place for an essay lol. I don't know if anyone else had this interpretation, but I thought I'd share. It's helped me through losing my first group of close friends.

[@hangfire5944]

The great part about this song is that it's not just about remembering 9/11 but it's also about people's varying reactions to the event. So having a different interpretation of the song is actually somewhat fitting to the song's message, even if it's not what it was explicitly written about.

[@taramusical]

A year later, and I've lost my closest friend. There was no inciting incident. We just slowly but surely drifted apart over the past year, and there was nothing I could do because I was too scared of pushing them away faster. But this time, I know it's not worth putting up those walls. I will keep talking to people, I will find new friends. I can't help it, even if my brain is screaming at me that it will end the same way. I'll keep coming back because it's better to have people in your life temporarily than not at all. Even if every friendship is (seemingly) as fragile as glass at it's core, we still can't help ourselves. It's human nature to build after all. This song is once again helping me process this loss. Because even though I already know how things will end up, it hurts like hell in the moment. I'm tired.

[@taramusical]

They came back, we fell in love, and then they left again. It was a rebound relationship for them, so I don't blame them in the slightest. I had almost moved on by then though, so it really reinforced a lot of bad things. I need to actually move on though. Even if it all ends the same, the cycle is inevitable. We will love, lose, then love again. Years of pain for just a few moments of happiness that are somehow still worth it.

[@monkeytime3169]

Hey, Vsauce!

[@peepoobeepoo5842]

I am going to jump off this tower

[@jefferydoyle9582]

@@peepoobeepoo5842 you should see the picture for the nightcore version

[@peepoobeepoo5842]

@@jefferydoyle9582 no

[@Asmokedetector]

Michael here

[@Asmokedetector]

...but...what is *here*

[@TerryMaybeJerry]

I like the detail at the end, where they both look up at the sky, stunned. Like the smoke cleared up for a second, and they saw what was truly happening.

[@St3llar_Drag0ns]

2:34 HE KNOWS A POWERFUL BOB

[@thunderstudiosyt6197]

I like how half the comments are trying to debuckle on the secret lore of this song and the other half is like: “waltah”

[@ddeadmeme]

waltah

[@Snow_Sailor]

Waltah!

[@GamblecoreGoober]

2:29 when he starts to say “do you like how my face has learned to tick like a clock” kinda sounds like a slowed down cartoon spring sound

[@idcaboutusernames]

It’s so satisfying to hear rob without the vocal effect at 2:27

[@maty5591]

Which he didn't had the vocal effect at all

[@adamsparty]

@maty5591 he had a robotic effect

[@nicojp4137]

so glad medic TF2 and VSauce Michael sung this for us

[@the_big_har]

OH MY FORKING GOSH ITS RULER OF EVERYTHING I WANNA CRY I HEARD THE LETMOTIF AND THEN-

[@the_big_har]

@Gemtem yep

[@infectioustomfoolery]

we miss u variations on a cloud come back

[@hgdrrfgrg]

Where did it go why isnt it on spotify

[@kalie4038]

@@hgdrrfgrg Ross said he doesn’t know why, but they are working on it. (The song is also gone from other music streaming platforms)

[@cinnamxn5926]

It’s back (I think)

[@zzz_zzz_ZZZ_zzz_ZZZ_ZZZ_Z_z-ZZ]

You type like a person who has a mother that is a Basketball.

[@infectioustomfoolery]

@@zzz_zzz_ZZZ_zzz_ZZZ_ZZZ_Z_z-ZZ so true i am with my mother rn and she is indeed a basketball

[@maliciouslyContent]

damn this hits different after all these crazy years

[@burelandon6443]

"Ladies and gentlemen, please Why don't we keep it coming back And coming back And coming back Why don't we keep it coming back And coming back (join if you wish) Keep it coming back And coming back And coming back Why don't we keep it coming back"

[@Jaxxx_675]

Anniversary to a song but to another..

[@cuzhe5696]

I really wanna animate this and all the other miracle musical songs

[@vvsvlogsYT]

I quite encourage that

[@veronicasawyer1321]

Do it!!!!

[@alexisepico4084]

@@veronicasawyer1321 i love ur chihiro pfp

[@veronicasawyer1321]

@@alexisepico4084 agshsgshsh tysm !!! i love ur kirumi pfp :]

[@alexisepico4084]

Veronica Sawyer Thanks! Shes my fav

[@its_clover2]

WE KEEPING IT COMING BACK WITH THIS ONE 🗣🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Totallysleepingrn]

From my interpretation the “Join if you wish” (around 1:54 ) Is someone else telling them that he’s jumping and they can go with him if they want, they don’t and suffocate/burn at the top of the building

[@ShenDoodles]

It's not even on the actual album yet this is my favorite song from it. The last song I was this hopelessly addicted to was Ruler of Everything, which was my introduction to Tally Hall in like April of this year. I don't regret not finding them sooner, though, otherwise I'd have had to deal with the thought that they'd never return.

[@stray_cat2922]

1:33 The moment they sang the tune of "Isle unto thyself" it sent goosebumps down on my spine.

[@silliest_gooose]

This channel has fulfilled the prophecy set out by its name, and they have become the guy who uploaded variations on a cloud.

[@yes-qv8yz]

Man after watching the og video this hit different

[@crassinula]

my favorite song about 9/11

[@yaoichurch]

stop arguing about genders, lets start the "which character do you sing in variations on a cloud" train.

[@jfk8745]

John Lennon

[@CaribouGutSludge]

Fuck yall I'm the one hitting that piano

[@camerabox1]

i'm a left man myself

[@cathacker13]

I switch them around whenever I feel like it And because you mentioned gender in your comment, I am going to take the opportunity to make a terrible pun and say that I am singerfluid (I'm sorry if I actually offended anyone by it, that was not my intention)

[@infectioustomfoolery]

I sing joes part :)

[@AtopDoomedMoons]

I think I’ve found out the main metaphor of this song and how it relates to the 9/11 imagery. It’s a musical obituary to Tally Hall and Miracle Musical. We all know that Tally Hall was kind of a tumultuous band. They had a couple of supposedly indefinite hiatuses that were fixed by the band getting back together, then they truly broke up, and then got back together for one last album in the form of Miracle Musical. It was a mess of ideas that couldn’t be realized. That’s why this song samples from so many of the motifs of Miracle Musical songs: Miracle Musical IS the end of Tally Hall, and so bringing back those ideas is reasonable; what better way to sign off Tally Hall than to coalesce their ending album into one song? Then, though, you get the reprise of Ruler of Everything, arguably their most popular song made under Tally Hall’s name and not Miracle Musical’s. This song was ostensibly about how mankind can’t understand that time passes without them, and that they are small (the man with Zirconium pants constantly up-talks his job, wife, and power, while the other voice in the song constantly tries to assure him that time is more powerful). The Reprise of it, then, makes much more sense as a meta-commentary on Tally Hall: the band truly didn’t realize how quickly time was passing and how they were growing apart as a group, and so this Reprise is an acknowledgement of that. Finally, we reach the 9/11 imagery. With all of what I just said in mind, and with the knowledge that this song is a commentary on Tally Hall and this musical group as a whole, we can see why 9/11 is referenced so much: it’s a disaster that we aren’t supposed to forget. Tally Hall was a very brief band. Two albums, Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum and Good and Evil, and one send-off album released under a different name with the same group behind it. The impression I get is that this song is the members of Tally Hall and Miracle Musical putting the past behind them, while the fans must continue to return to the same three albums and pore over the same songs. There’s nothing more to Tally Hall or Miracle Musical, there are no more albums (Hawaii Part iii or part i have been deconfirmed), and we’re left with what we have. It’s a disaster, but it’s one that you have to move past, yet people refuse to, precisely like the 9/11 attacks. It’s a somewhat rude and tone-deaf metaphor, but at least now you may understand it better.

[@namenamename473]

This is so underrated (also what about Hawaii: Part II Part II Part II?)

[@senbonzakura410]

3:09 the way he falls at the end lol

[@lorelaimorace-kk1xz]

YEAH XD

[@senbonzakura410]

i do not remember commenting this

[@JCJ262]

I keep on coming back to hear "I know a powerful Bob"

[@skittleman43]

Of all days this reappeared in my recommendations...

[@langreeves6419]

Amazing song! I got into Tally Hall thanks to my 8 yr old grandson Since he's got me into them, I've played him the Beatles!

[@normanclatcher]

Sounds like he got the short end of the stick still. 😏

[@escapefr0mslender]

WAIT HES 8???1?/!/!/!: that kids music taste is insaneeee

[@user-os1nf6wp9r]

That's so cute! I hope you both continue to bond through music, it's the great unifier ❤️

[@DonutprodzDonutprodz]

wow lol, best grandpa ever

[@Torisocland]

I know this is old but two amazing bands

[@Free_feather]

Keep it coming back once more

[@itsnathanu8924]

I've was in a rough spot for the last couple weeks and this song was a major part of how I got through it. Thank you to everyone in Tally Hall and Miracle Musical for making such masterpieces. Something about it gives me so much motivation to better myself. I wish everyone the best!

[@iooog1]

I'm glad your in a better place now :) Joe bally's music has a magic effect dude I swear. It just hits different! I love it and this song is a culmination of all that work, a variation on different songs if you will!

[@happymolecule8894]

Then you weren't in a rough spot, if a song could "make you go through it" attention seeker.

[@itsnathanu8924]

@@happymolecule8894 ok I guess I didn't then because you defiantly know what happens in my own life better than I do because of this single comment

[@FiSH-iSH]

@@happymolecule8894 bitch have you ever listened to stranded lullaby in the middle of a panic attack to calm yourself down i recommend this strategy it works

[@TemmieContingenC]

I came here because of a Jerma edit, now I’m reading people discuss this song being a 9/11 themed song, goddamnnnn.

[@leyulis8882]

Is there a Jerma edit of this? Or are you refering to a Ruler of Everything edit? This song has slivers of Ruler of Everything, but isn't exactly the same

[@WrityGD]

The music video was so amazing, they had to reupload it

[@carrot4759]

this song hits different when you learn its about 9/11

[@IamStereotype]

I thought this was a send-off to tally hall, I definitely did not expect it to be about 9/11. Fantastic song tho

[@wash8533]

what

[@emusarethe29thbestanimal]

2:40 just gives me goosebumps its so good

[@newspaper_stand]

2:10 for myself

[@krazyraejr]

I love that part

[@nedac2499]

RULER OF EVERYTHINGGGGGG

[@Timetraveler2411]

I’m also going to use this B)

[@zacturpel7576]

Last for now

[@3-5-9-0]

​@@kapakabibiumIt's a little bit of magic to end the world

[@Joe-Ligma69]

Fun fact: The leitmotif of the "Miracle Worker, I saw you begin it" also reappears in Isle Unto Thyself ("I was a victim of magic, Apollo") The garbage noise at the end of Isle Unto Thyself transitions perfectly into Ruler of Everything This song also references Ruler of Everything Tally Hall cinematic universe confirmed?

[@billnyetherussianspy7070]

Really love how they mixed loads of their old songs into this 1:04 - isle into thyself “what did it matter” 1:04 1:08 - murders “I was in the clearing, buzzing around to hearing” 1:44 1:35 - isle into thyself “I was a victim of magic, Apollo, catching my breath as I bled on the ground, somebody called me to follow, I followed thinking aloud without hearing the sound” 1:39 2:13 - ruler of everything “You understand mechanical hands, are the ruler of everything. Ruler of everything. I'm the ruler of everything in the end. Do you like how I dance? I've got zirconium pants Consequential enough to slip you into a trance Do you like how I walk? Do you like how I talk? Do you like how my face disintegrates into chalk? I have a wonderful wife, I have a powerful job She criticizes me for being egocentric” 0:40

[@ezzbuttheyshouldntleavethe5529]

This song was released before Hawaii pt2, so if anything it's a prequel to all but ruler of everything

[@skyyy7544]

​@@ezzbuttheyshouldntleavethe5529this song came out 7 years after Hawaii part 2

[@Lunar_Atronach]

Man, i sure do hope there will be nothing depressing when this is performed at Sonic Lunch!

[@figispini]

everyone is talking about the ruler of everything part but i noticed pitch shifted “Isle Unto Thyself” at 1:33

[@themixofthegull7498]

Finally, Ruler of Everything 2

[@mammothcow]

kinda

[@Lottabaggage]

I like how in Ruler of everything, a person is talking about their life is blissful, but when he talks about his face, a demonic figure interrupts him into saying something cynical, but in this song, the demonic figure is talking before the same person interrupts him to say something optimistic.

[@Bordie3D]

It collides both ways. Cynical and Bliss are two sides of the same coin. Maybe that's their point with that

[@a1stmanchu1971]

The ruler of everything is about time

[@Snow_Sailor]

I know I may seem stupid (and I am) but I've always interpreted this song to be about change and time. The references to 9/11 and the fact 9/11 sparked so much change for certain things (i.e how buildings are built, airport security, etc). The parallels to other Tally Hall songs also remind me of how the present will always parallel the past to a degree. The repeated keep it coming back is similar to how a clock will show the same time twice in a day, and how people bring up things from the past that are major to society. "Won't be burned to the ground." Also implies this as people are willing to keep the past in mind a majority of the time. Just an interpretation.

[@scollaceyuri]

ive been playing this song over and over again, it's so good. something about this song just scratches an itch in my brain. there's many thoughts in there, they keep it coming back and coming back and coming back

[@dachairman5522]

My personal take on this song is that it takes place after the end of Dream sweet in sea major. To me it’s after the man ends up dying, and is sent to heaven. The duet could be the two sides of him, both the sane and insane, sorta harmonizing and getting along. The point at 1:57 to me also could be him finding his wife again due to the female vocals kicking in. To me it’s a bit emotional, as it’s like this tear jerker of the man finally finding his wife once again, albeit in heaven.

[@7grandmac]

I don’t see it that way, not only was it released before Hawaii Part II, it’s also listed as the “Zeroth” Hawaii Part II track, meaning that if it does connect to the story in Hawaii Part II, it would have to be before it.

[@GothicFoxglove]

On Genius, I was looking at the lyrics and sang along to the song then I spotted this comment. It's not mine but it read: "I believe this song is about how humanity is destroying itself. People fight and fight, causing doom to their own race. No matter how a war ends, it will keep coming back, and people will keep dying. I believe the used parts from Ruler of Everything since the line “Give it up and smile.” Can easily fit with this song. “Does it even matter to me” refers to those who don’t care for tradgedies that don’t affect them, and “a little bit of magic to end the world” refers to those who lose hope. In a world with so many conflicting view points, people are going to see things differently. That is the meaning behind the two parts of this song." I couldn't agree more. 🥺

[@boogabooga7999]

R.I.P to all that perished in the 9/11 attacks

[@CrookedSnapdragon22]

The original song has been deleted from almost every streaming platform that it was released to

[@POPZ1KLE]

Here’s what I live about miracle musical, a lot of the songs are kinda sampled off of eachother(and tally hall in this song cuz it’s one of the members) and it sounds good everytime.

[@gh0st_str3am36]

"IM THE ONE WHO LOOKS AT CLOUDS"