Devendra Obi Banhart (born May 30, 1981) is a Venezuelan American singer-so… Read Full Bio ↴Devendra Obi Banhart (born May 30, 1981) is a Venezuelan American singer-songwriter and visual artist. Banhart was born in Houston, Texas and was raised by his mother in Venezuela, until he moved to California as a teenager. His first few records were released on the Young God Records label from New York City. His most recent CD was released by Nonesuch. He is one of the most popular artists to come out of the "New Weird America" movement, which includes performers such as Faun Fables, Viking Moses, Jack Rose, Jana Hunter, Arborea, The MV & EE Medicine Show, Currituck Co., Six Organs of Admittance, and The Royal We, among others. He also often joins the band known as Vetiver.

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.

14 Hey Mama Wolf
Devendra Banhart Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I'm in the woods
I know what to call you now
When I'm in the woods
I know what to call you now

Hey Mama Wolf
Hey Mama Wolf
Well maybe the mountains know what

To call you now

Maybe the mountains know what
To call you now
Hey Mama Wolf
Hey Mama Wolf

When I'm in a womb
I know what to call you now
And when a belly blooms
I know what to call you now

Hey Mama Wolf
Hey Mama Wolf
Well I can say Marie
I know what to call you now

Swimming in the sea
I know what to call you now
And when you swim with me
I know what to call you now

And when you're under me
I know what to call you now

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Devendra Banhart's song Hey Mama Wolf convey a sense of reverence towards nature and an acknowledgement of the primal instincts that define us. The repetition of the title phrase throughout the song reinforces this connection to the wild and underscores the idea that the singer has found a spiritual connection with a higher power - in this case, the natural world.

There is a hint of mysticism in the lyrics as the singer addresses the wolf, a symbol of power and nature. The song suggests that the singer has discovered a spiritual connection and understanding of nature by discovering what he should call the wolf. It is as if the wolf signifies a primal force that the singer has been able to tap into, and calling it by name is an acknowledgement of that power. There is a sense of awe and wonder that is conveyed through the lyrics, as the singer is in a state of reverence that is both calming and affirming.

Overall, Hey Mama Wolf is a song about discovering a sense of spirituality and connectedness with the natural world. It is about finding a deep and profound connection with the universe and being able to express that connection through the magical power of music.

Line by Line Meaning

When I'm in the woods
When I'm surrounded by nature, away from civilization

I know what to call you now
I've found the right name for you

Hey Mama Wolf
A term of endearment for a strong and protective woman

Well maybe the mountains know what
Perhaps the mountains have symbolically shown me the right name

To call you now
To refer to you as

When I'm in a womb
When I am yet to be born

And when a belly blooms
And when my mother's belly swells with my presence

I know what to call you now
I know what you should be named

Well I can say Marie
I can use the name Marie for you

Swimming in the sea
Literally swimming in the ocean

I know what to call you now
I have discovered the perfect name for you in this setting