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.

Happy Happy Oh
Devendra Banhart Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

She got the happy happy oh
She got the happy happy oh
They had the falling falling oh
They had the falling falling oh

He had the coming out oh
He had the coming out oh
And I thought

Loving a man takes strength in me

When no one takes you seriously
Well sick out tonight
Now sick out tonight

With that flat out flat out oh
With that flat out flat out oh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Devendra Banhart's song Happy Happy Ho appear to be about different emotions and experiences related to love and acceptance. The repetition of the phrases "happy happy oh" and "falling falling oh" suggest that the first two lines are describing the rush of joy and the feeling of falling head-over-heels in love. This is contrasted with the third and fourth lines, which state "they had the falling falling oh." This could possibly allude to the pain or sadness that comes with a relationship ending.

The next two lines, "he had the coming out oh," presumably refer to someone revealing their sexual orientation or gender identity. Banhart's lyric, "And I thought loving a man takes strength in me" could be interpreted as either the singer speaking from personal experience of being in a relationship with a man, or offering support and respect for a friend who has just come out.

The final lines of the song, "when no one takes you seriously well sick out tonight, with that flat out flat out oh," seem to be encouraging listeners to go out and have a good time despite feeling ignored or marginalized. The repetition of "flat out" suggests throwing oneself into action with abandon or reckless abandon, in order to shake off feelings of loneliness, frustration, or disappointment.

Overall, the song appears to be a meditation on the ups and downs of love, as well as broader experiences of acceptance and self-assertion. Banhart's lyrics are cryptic, but the melody itself is both sweet and playful, seemingly meant to evoke a happy, carefree mood.

Line by Line Meaning

She got the happy happy oh
She has found happiness and is content with her life

They had the falling falling oh
They were in love but their relationship started to fail

He had the coming out oh
He revealed his true identity and sexuality

And I thought
The singer is reflecting on his thoughts

Loving a man takes strength in me
The singer realizes that being in a homosexual relationship takes courage and strength

When no one takes you seriously
Society does not take homosexual relationships seriously

Well sick out tonight
The singer wants to have a fun night out

Now sick out tonight
The singer wants to have a fun night out

With that flat out flat out oh
The singer wants to party hard and let loose

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