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.
Can't Help But Smiling
Devendra Banhart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What fun, tonight know why
We're lost in the only thing,
Truly worth getting lost in.
It's so nice to think you're alone,
And to look up, and see you home.
Mama ain't it wild when you can't help but smiling
You can't help but smiling
You can't help but smiling
You can't help but smiling
You can't help but smiling.
The lyrics to Devendra Banhart's song "Can't Help But Smiling" express a feeling of pure joy and contentment in one's surroundings. The opening line, "Mama ain't it wild when you can't help but smiling," suggests that the experience being described is somewhat unexpected or surprising. The singer goes on to say that "We're lost in the only thing, truly worth getting lost in," which implies that this feeling of joy and contentment is rare and valuable, a thing to be treasured and remembered.
The lines "It's so nice to think you're alone, and to look up, and see you home" suggest that this feeling of joy and contentment is heightened by the presence of someone else, likely a loved one. The song seems to be celebrating the simple pleasures of life, moments of happiness that can be found in everyday experiences.
Overall, "Can't Help But Smiling" is a song about finding happiness in unexpected places, and cherishing those moments when they come along. It's a celebration of the beauty and joy that can be found in the world around us, if only we take the time to look for it.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama ain't it wild when you can't help but smiling
Isn't it amazing, Mama, when you simply cannot control your smile?
What fun, tonight know why
It is such a delightful experience, especially tonight, I know the reason why.
We're lost in the only thing,
We are completely absorbed in the one thing,
Truly worth getting lost in.
that is genuinely worth getting lost in.
It's so nice to think you're alone,
It is incredibly pleasant to imagine that you are by yourself,
And to look up, and see you home.
and then gaze upward to find that you are in your own familiar surroundings.
Mama ain't it wild when you can't help but smiling
Isn't it incredible, Mama, when you are smiling involuntarily?
Mama ain't it wild when you can't help but smiling
Isn't it remarkable, Mama, when your smile is uncontrollable?
You can't help but smiling
Your smile is beyond your control
You can't help but smiling
You are unable to suppress your smile
You can't help but smiling
Your smile is involuntary
You can't help but smiling.
You simply cannot help but smile.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEVENDRA BANHART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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