View source for Variations On A Cloud

{{Infobox_song
 |title = Variations on a Cloud
 |albumart = Variations-cloud-cover.jpg
 |writer = [[Joe Hawley]], [[Rob Cantor]]
 |singer = [[Joe Hawley]], [[Rob Cantor]]
 |album = [[Hawaii: Part II]], [[Variations On A Cloud EP]]
 |duration = 3:10
 |genre = World
 |language = English
 |externalLinks = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJCLUhBzBM8 Youtube]<br>[https://open.spotify.com/track/5ELOH7ea3ZkSeWTMIpWGDv?si=011fb10e1d564486 Spotify]<br>[https://miraclemusical.bandcamp.com/album/hawaii-part-ii Bandcamp (Hidden Track)]<br>[https://miraclemusical.bandcamp.com/track/variations-on-a-cloud-instrumental Instrumental (Bandcamp)]
}}
'''Variations on a Cloud''' is a song by [[Joe Hawley]] and [[Rob Cantor]]<ref>[https://tallyall.club/go/members/Miracle%20Musical/Hawaii%20Part%20II/ミラクルミュージカル.pdf Miracle Musical. Hawaii Part II Liner Notes.] December 12th, 2012. ''Tallyall.'' Accessed: December 15th 2023.</ref><ref>https://repertoire.bmi.com/Search/Search?SearchForm.View_Count=&SearchForm.Main_Search=Title&SearchForm.Main_Search_Text=Variations+On+A+Cloud&SearchForm.Sub_Search=Writer%2FComposer&SearchForm.Sub_Search_Text=Hawley&SearchForm.Search_Type=all BMI Repertoire Index. 'Variations On A Cloud' Accessed: December 15th 2023.</ref> under the musical project [[ミラクルミュージカル]]. It was given out on 9/11/12 as a bonus to customers who pre-ordered copies of [[Hawaii: Part II]].<ref name=AMAVariations>[https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/a5ouhk/we_are_joe_hawley_ross_federman_and_bora_karaca/ebp826b?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 Reddit AMA] ''Reddit.''</ref> It was listed as the "zeroth" track of [[Hawaii: Part II]], and, originally, the song did not come included with a download of Hawaii: Part II, but now does, if one were to purchase it through the Miracle Musical Bandcamp page.<ref>[https://miraclemusical.bandcamp.com/album/hawaii-part-ii Hawaii: Part II Bandcamp] ''Bandcamp.''</ref>

== History ==
===Conception===
It is unknown when, specifically, the song was written, but an instrumental can be heard in a [[Tally Hall's Internet Show]] outtake named People Making People. This was likely a comedy routine done by Joe Hawley around 2007, as this is when most of Tally Hall's Internet Show was shot.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZzeSAtOCFM Internet Show Outtakes. YouTube Video.] ''YouTube.''</ref>
The song features musical themes from [[Murders]], [[Isle Unto Thyself]], [[Dream Sweet In Sea Major]], and [[Ruler Of Everything]]. The song was based on the September 11th 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attack, which likely had a big effect on Joe's life.

===Pre-streaming release===
Variations was released on the 11th of September 2012 as a digital download bonus for those who had pre-ordered Hawaii: Part II. The song was not available anywhere else, even after the release of the album on 12th December 2012.<ref name=AMAVariations></ref>

For a brief period the song could be obtained by purchasing a physical postcard from the (now defunct) merch page on the official site,<ref>[http://music.hawaiipartii.com/merch/postcard Postcard Merch Webpage (Now defunct, as of 2018)]</ref> which included a download code for the song along with a code for Hawaii Part: II, and a hand-drawn doodle signed by Joe Hawley.<ref>[https://www.hiddeninthesand.com/blogs/joe-hawley/2013/08/music-video-for-hawaii-part-iis-stranded-lullaby/ Coz Baldwin. Music Video For Hawaii Part II's Stranded Lullaby.] 2013. ''Hidden In The Sand.''</ref>

===Release to streaming services===
On the 11th of September 2015 a music video for Variations On A Cloud was uploaded to YouTube. The video is in memoriam to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack. The video splices together videos and pictures of the attack, overlaid with pictures and videos of clouds, in greyscale. The vocalists of the song are represented through colourful puppet characters.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcu9WmHPdbM "ミラクルミュージカル – Variations on a Cloud" YouTube Video] ''YouTube.''</ref> The video originally had comments of confusion from fans, many not knowing if it was supposed to be a joke or a genuine memoriam; comments were disabled on the video and all other Miracle Musical videos.

===Vinyl Release===
''Main article: [[Variations On A Cloud EP]]''

On June 18th, 2019, an announcement was made that fans would be able to pre-order a 7-inch, 45rpm white vinyl of 'Variations On A Cloud', with the B-side containing [[White Ball (8-Bit)]] and [[Dream Sweet In Sea Major (8-Bit)]]. In addition to the vinyl, fans would also receive a limited edition embroidered wool hat, embroidered with the ミラクルミュージカル insignia.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190622023907/http://www.hawaiipartii.com/variations-vinyl Pre order link, June 22nd 2019], archived from [http://www.hawaiipartii.com/variations-vinyl?fbclid=IwAR0dAYJTwK24uXmBMyL_E33z4cvVMLrXZmbc0kmAJOSkV1PY2kmoopip2oI The Original]. Via The Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9th January 2024.</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/hawaiipartii/photos/a.791781347573057/2247536135330897/?type=1&theater Vinyl pre-order announcement on facebook.] ''Facebook.'' 18th June 2019.</ref> Pre-orders were done through annarbortees.com, a T-shirt company based in [[Tally Hall]]'s hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan.<ref>[https://partners.annarbortees.com/products/miracle-musical-variations-on-a-cloud-white-vinyl-7-single-45rpm-limited-edition-embroidered-wool-hat annarbortees.com. Miracle Musical Variations On A Cloud White Vinyl 7 Single 45rpm Limited Edition Embroidered Wool Hat. Accessed 18th June 2019.] ''Annarbortees.''</ref>

===Removal From Services===
On August 13, 2021, Variations on a Cloud was removed from streaming services, causing confusion from fans. However, the song was then brought back on September 11 2021, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and the 9th anniversary of the songs release, very likely an intentional move by Joe Hawley or another member.

On June 4th 2022, the video for the song was removed for violating YouTube’s community guidelines. As a result, the comments were reactivated on the Miracle Musical YouTube channel.<ref>[https://x.com/_H_II_/status/1533137503737237504 [6:23 PM] Jun 4, 2022. "This has no effect on your channel"] ''[[Twitter]]''. Takedown notice. [Tweet.]</ref>

==Live Performances==
On June 23rd 2016, Joe Hawley would perform at Sonic Lunch 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. At this performance he would play Variations On A Cloud solo, with the song transitioning to a cover of ''Jump'' by Van Halen with the backing track sampling [[The Beatles|John Lennon]]'s ''Imagine''.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxPLsCRY2a0 Jeff Baker. Joe Hawley-Variations On A Cloud: Sonic Lunch; Ann Arbor, MI 06.23.2016.] ''YouTube.'' [Video.]</ref>
<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNg3pXBAAYg Variations on a Cloud live at Sonic Lunch 2016, YouTube.] ''YouTube.''</ref> This references a mashup of the two tracks made by Mister Buzz from 2014<ref>[https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1agttj Mister Buzz. 'John Lennon & Van Halen Mash Up Jump and Imagine'] ''Dailymotion''. 30th January 2014. Accessed December 15th 2023.</ref>

==Trivia==
* Joe's vocals for Variations were recorded in a barn, in a covered boat<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/a5ouhk/we_are_joe_hawley_ross_federman_and_bora_karaca/ebp1t20?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 Miracle Musical Reddit AMA] ''Reddit.''</ref>
{{Magic Lyrics}}

==External Links==
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEAE_4XTwnE YouTube (Audio Only)] <br>
[https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/variations-on-a-cloud-single/1016959822 iTunes / Apple Music]

==References==
<references/>
{{Hawaii: Part II}}
{{Hawaii: Part II: Part ii}}
{{Solo Singles|image=[[File:Variations-cloud-cover.jpg|195px|left]]}}
<includeonly>[[Category:Songs]]</includeonly><includeonly>{{#ifexist: {{{writer}}} | [[Category:Songs by {{{writer}}}]] | }}</includeonly>
[[Category:Songs with Music Videos]]
[[Category:Songs by Joe Hawley]]
[[Category:Songs by Rob Cantor]]