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.
Baby
Devendra Banhart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I finally know what I'm going after
I'm learning to let in all the laughter
Holy Molly, you're so funny
You crack me up, you crack me up
Look out
For dreams that keep returning
You have to feel it
You gotta want it
The way I want you, babe
Traveling by choo-choo train, yeah
We know where, we just don't know when
Like some everlasting onion peeled by love
Never
Heard a better bad joke said out loud
You flip, flap and I wild out
Can you believe it? I can't believe it
But it's true
You're giving
Eighty billion years of giggling
A whole new world to live in
But this one's real, this one's real
This one's real
Like an old, tired kangaroo
You be one and I'll be one too
Play it goofy or play it cool, well, I don't mind
Everything that happened
You know it don't mean a thing to us
'Cause so much is going to happen
Because
You showed me
A sunset overflowing
But who cares where it's going
As long as you're next to me
In the song "Baby" by Devendra Banhart, the singer expresses his newfound appreciation for life and love. He proclaims that he finally knows what he is going after, and is open to enjoying the laughter and joy that comes with life. He recognizes the importance of pursuing dreams relentlessly, making a connection with his lover, feeling magic, and desiring it intensely.
The lyricist warns of paying attention to recurring dreams as they could mean something significant, affirming that the desire for magic can never be inherited and must be felt deeply. The couple embarks on a journey by train with an indistinct destination but an everlasting union of love. He speaks of the moments of laughter that they share, and how they make for a better world, and he is grateful for their togetherness.
The song has many interpretive layers, and its evocative lyrics coupled with a passionate tune make it an exceptional romantic track. Banhart's surrealistic touch can be seen in the lyrics throughout the song, giving an insight into his artistic vision. The song is a beautiful amalgamation of his narrative and vocal styles, a testament to his musical pedigree.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby
The singer addresses their romantic partner
I finally know what I'm going after
The singer has found their purpose in life
I'm learning to let in all the laughter
The singer is becoming more open to joy and happiness
Holy Molly, you're so funny
The artist finds their partner hilarious
You crack me up, you crack me up
Their partner's humor brings the artist great joy
Look out
The singer warns of something to pay attention to
For dreams that keep returning
The singer advises to follow recurring dreams
Cause magic ain't no hand-me-down yearning
Achieving something great cannot be given to someone
You have to feel it
The desire to succeed must come from within
You gotta want it
You must have a strong desire for success
The way I want you, babe
The singer wants their partner with the same intensity
Traveling by choo-choo train, yeah
The artist and their partner are adventuring together
We know where, we just don't know when
The destination is set, but the timing is uncertain
Like some everlasting onion peeled by love
Their love is like an onion that reveals more and more layers
Never
Something has never happened
Heard a better bad joke said out loud
The awful joke told is the best the artist has heard
You flip, flap and I wild out
The artist and their partner have fun together
Can you believe it? I can't believe it
The singer can hardly believe how amazing their partner is
But it's true
Their partner's amazingness is real
You're giving
Their partner is providing something valuable
Eighty billion years of giggling
Their partner makes them laugh forever
A whole new world to live in
Their partner has opened up new possibilities
But this one's real, this one's real
This relationship is genuine and not a fantasy
Like an old, tired kangaroo
Using a simile to describe their state of exhaustion
You be one and I'll be one too
The singer and their partner are united
Play it goofy or play it cool, well, I don't mind
Their partner can be silly or serious - the singer loves them either way
Everything that happened
The past events don't matter
You know it don't mean a thing to us
The past is insignificant to their relationship
'Cause so much is going to happen
The future is bright and full of possibilities
Because
This is the reason why things will happen
You showed me
Their partner taught the singer something important
A sunset overflowing
The artist is awed by the beauty of the sunset
But who cares where it's going
The destination of the sunset is not important
As long as you're next to me
The only thing that matters is the presence of their partner
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Devendra Banhart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@julianakcobain1023
Baby
I finally know what I'm going after
I'm learning to let in all the laughter
Holy Moley you're so funnny
You Crack me up, you crack me up
Look out for dreams that keep returning
'Cause magic ain't no hand-me-down yearning
You feel it, you want it, the way I want you babe
Traveling by choo-choo train
We know where we just don't know when
Like some everlasting onion peeled by love
Never heard a better bad joke said out loud
You flip-flop and I wild out
Can you believe it
I can't believe it but it's true
You're giving eighty billion years of giggling
A whole new world to live in
But this one's real, this one's real, this one's real
Like a bow tied Kangaroo
You be one and I'll be one too
We play it goofy or we play it cool
Everything that happened
You know it don't mean a thing to us
'Cause so much is gonna happen
Because
You showed me a sunset overflowing
But who cares where it's going
As long as you're next to me
@BrenoBranches
Quarantine days vibes.
@kevinbones8599
Yes!
@normacecilia
No?
@stefmacdonald-angel4830
Yes!
@MariaSanchez-te1tz
What a great song something good to listen too
@moondancer4660
I don't believe in a quarantines. Not for a money making scam by big Pharma and the Biden family.
@martincruz3174
Fab moretti and Rodrigo Amarante´s cameos are the best!
@Jasperi
These good vibes saved my life.
@ChiWren
Always loved this song. This played as my husband and I walked into our reception 💕
@Abracadab5
Man, nothing makes you feel better on a miserable, overcast January afternoon than a bit of Devendra!