Banhart is considered to have an eclectic style, with many of his songs seemingly following a stream-of-consciousness vein, being hard to decipher and non-literal. His music tends to consist of fairly simple guitar melodies with minimal other instrumentation, and his lyrical themes are often surreal and naturalistic. His involvement in the Los Angeles artist community is reflected in Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, released in September 2007. He gained some underground notoriety in New York for performing several of his early shows with underwear on his head for the duration of the performance.
Banhart's most recent tour of the United States saw him perform with his full band, which is currently known as Power Mineral. Power Mineral included Andy Cabic (Vetiver), Greg Rogove (Priestbird), Noah Georgeson, Luckey Remington, Pete Newsom, Otto Hauser (Vetiver, Currituck Co., Espers, Nick Castro), Kevin Barker (Currituck Co.), and others. The band claims to rechristen itself when a name comes to them, and has previously been known as Fried Hummingbird, Vagina Burglars, Hairy Fairy Band, Las Putas Locas, Stoner Boner, Spiritual Boner, Bummer Hummer, Brain Taint, Love Fart, Bathhouse Of The Winds, and First Woman Millionaire among other names.
Banhart was discovered by Michael Gira of Swans, who released his Oh Me Oh My... The Way the Day Goes by the Sun Is Setting Dogs Are Dreaming… album on his own Young God Records label in 2002. In 2005, Banhart (along with Andy Cabic and Revolver USA) created the Gnomonsong record label. In 2006 he helped to curate an edition of the British All Tomorrow's Parties festival.
Banhart also was one of the younger musicians responsible for "rediscovering" the music of folksinger Vashti Bunyan. Bunyan is a guest vocalist on his album Rejoicing in the Hands.
- Never Seen Such Good Things
Devendra Banhart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And everywhere we turn they're playing our song.
(Mm hmm hmm, hmm hmm hmm).
Well, should have known someone so much like me,
Would give me Hell and send me to my knees.
Show Eve your mark and let 'er be.
Love, you're a strange fella',
Wont you leave your mark on me?
If we ever make sweet love again,
I'm sure that it will be quite disgusting.
(Race to the end, race to the end.)
The memory of a ceremony so
Empty, bitter, boring, and hollow.
(Hollow, hollow)
But, love, you're a strange fella
Show Eve your mark and let 'er be.
May as well be forever,
Love, wont you come and punish me?
(Sad lady, you win)
Sad lady you win
(Sad lady, you win)
Sad lady you win
(Sad lady, you win)
Sad lady you win
(Sad lady, you win)
Sad lady you win
(Na, naa, na, na, naa)
(Na, naa, na, na, naa)
(Na, naa, na, na, naa)
(Na, naa, na, na, naa)
The lyrics of "Never Seen Such Good Things" by Devendra Banhart depict a tumultuous, dysfunctional relationship. The singer expresses surprise that something that seemed so good could have gone so wrong, and laments the fact that everywhere he turns, the memories of the relationship continue to haunt him. He reflects on the fact that he should have recognized the similarities between himself and his partner, who ultimately brought him to his knees and caused him pain.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Love, you're a strange fella'," emphasizing the singer's confusion and bewilderment at the relationship. He seems to simultaneously desire and fear the love his partner offers, as he begs for them to leave their mark on him but also acknowledges that their love-making is likely to be "quite disgusting." The memory of a ceremony associated with the relationship is described as "empty, bitter, boring, and hollow," highlighting the disillusionment and disappointment the singer feels.
Overall, the lyrics of "Never Seen Such Good Things" convey a sense of disorientation and regret in the aftermath of a failed relationship. The singer struggles to make sense of what went wrong and longs for a deeper connection, even as he recognizes the potential for further pain and disappointment.
Line by Line Meaning
Never seen such good things go so wrong,
I have never experienced good things turning out so bad
And everywhere we turn they're playing our song.
Seems like our song is being played around us wherever we go
Well, should have known someone so much like me,
I should have known, since she's so much like me,
Would give me Hell and send me to my knees.
she'd make me suffer and I'd surrender to her, just like being on my knees
Love, you're a strange fella',
Love, you're a weird, unusual character
Show Eve your mark and let 'er be.
Reveal yourself, Love, that is, show your true self
Love, you're a strange fella',
Love, you're definitely an odd person
Wont you leave your mark on me?
Can't you have an impact on me while you're here?
If we ever make sweet love again,
In case we have another intimate moment
I'm sure that it will be quite disgusting.
I'm certain that it'll be extremely unappealing this time
The memory of a ceremony so
The recollection of a ritual so
Empty, bitter, boring, and hollow.
Futile, resentful, unexciting, and unfulfilling.
But, love, you're a strange fella
However, Love, I'm convinced you're a weird, unusual character
Show Eve your mark and let 'er be.
Reveal yourself, Love, that is, show your true self
May as well be forever,
Maybe it should last a lifetime
Love, wont you come and punish me?
Love, can't you come and discipline me?
Sad lady you win
Depressed woman, you've emerged victorious
(Na, naa, na, na, naa)
(vocalization)
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEVENDRA BANHART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
María Isabel Rosario López
Never seen such good things go so wrong,
And everywhere we turn they're playing our song.
.
Well, should have known someone so much like me,
Would give me Hell and send me to my knees.
Love, you're a strange fella',
Show Eve your mark and let 'er be.
Love, you're a strange fella',
Wont you leave your mark on me?
If we ever make sweet love again,
I'm sure that it will be quite disgusting.
The memory of a ceremony so
Empty, bitter, boring, and hollow.
But, love, you're a strange fella
Show Eve your mark and let 'er be.
May as well be forever,
Love, wont you come and punish me?
Sad lady you win
(Sad lady, you win)
Sad lady you win
(Sad lady, you win)
Sad lady you win
(Sad lady, you win)
Sad lady you win
Jorge Ariel
I had a nostalgia today the first time I heard this song. I had downloaded the record and was listening to it when this track started, it was almost 4 pm and I was sitting on a beach dune watching the sunset and it was amazing, the world presented me with an indescribable landscape, was surrounded by good laughter and a half gudang. the simple things in life complete us.
Mariene mozzarella
I met my ex gf with this song, it was amazing and we really had a good time together! This song is so special for me but I don't wanna remember her every single time while listening :((
Jaime Rodrigo Luje Vera
:(
Ro
:(
Russell Ackegan
Same man, same.
Daisy Vargas
create new beautiful memories with it.
Chloé
Me encantaaa!!! :) Sounds like summer in this crappy belgian winter... Thanks a lot!
Da Vid Watcher
Just saw him last night at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. Spotted him on the mezzanine after his set and spontaneously approached him. He was gracious and amiable, and took the time to take a photo with me, even though he was leaving. Not only a gifted, unconventional artist, but also a genuine and surprisingly humble human being. Can't wait to see him on stage again. Just wish he would play longer sets!
Lotka89
There's no greater artist of our generation than Devendra! <3
lychas7
Zaskakujący artysta. Bardzo mi się podoba ten utwór. Teraz postaram się poznać inne :)