Noah
Devendra Banhart Lyrics

These lyrics from Devendra Banhart's song Noah are open to interpretation but there are different ways to approach them. On one hand, it could be interpreted as a commentary on the artist’s sense of alienation, on how he and a select few appreciate certain things that might not necessarily appeal to everyone. The song might shine a light on how people can feel ostracized because they have unique interests, tastes or experiences. The persona that Devendra Banhart adopts in the song is named Noah, a cowboy. The name and character of Noah might be a reference to the biblical story of Noah and the Ark, which might suggest the idea of purity, a clean slate, or salvation. However, the song does not make it clear whether Noah is an actual person or just a fictional character.

The second verse is intriguing and also adds to the song’s overall ambiguity. The reference to socks and the question “Can guys owed ill socks?” is puzzling, and might not have a clear meaning. It might be that the line is meant to rhyme, or it could be a nod to a specific person or event that might only be known to the songwriter. It seems likely that the line was included because of how it sounds when sung in the context of the song, more than because it was supposed to mean something.

To follow up on the idea expressed in the first verse, the chorus repeats the lines “Not everyone can relate to what you and I appreciate” twice. This drives home the idea that there are things that can connect people that are hard to explain or describe, that are not universal. The lines might be a call to arms of sorts to those who feel different, to those who are into things that are not mainstream, to embrace and celebrate those differences.