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.

Dragonflys
Devendra Banhart Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't owe me any money
You don't owe me a thing
When we drink beer
Dragonflies appear
Dragonflies appear

Overall Meaning

Devendra Banhart's song Dragonflys is a simple and straightforward tune that is open to interpretation. The song begins with the line "I don't owe me any money," which can be seen as Banhart reflecting on his life and coming to the realization that he has nothing to lose. He then sings "You don't owe me a thing," perhaps referring to a loved one who doesn't owe him anything, but he still loves them regardless. The most thought-provoking lyrics of this song come in the next phrase, "When we drink beer, dragonflies appear." This line can have multiple interpretations. One explanation could be that when Banhart drinks, he is able to see beyond the mundane and sees the world in a more mystical and magical way. Another interpretation could be that dragonflies represent change and transformation, and when he drinks, he perhaps becomes more open to change or sees the beauty in the changes that are happening around him.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't owe me any money
I have no financial debt to myself or anyone else.

You don't owe me a thing
You don't have any obligations or debts toward me.

When we drink beer
In the act of consuming alcoholic beverages,

Dragonflies appear
We observe the appearance of dragonflies,

Dragonflies appear
Dragonflies make their presence known to us.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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