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.

I Do Dig A Certain Girl
Devendra Banhart Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well I do like a certain girl
She moves like a dancing dream
I saw everything I've seen
And I meant everything I mean

Oh, queen bee,
All is happy and free
Oh, queen bee,

Land by me
By me

She's kissed everyone I've kissed
She's missed everyone I've missed
And her guess is always good as mine
I'm blessed,
She treats me so damn kind

She's grown every seed i've grown
She's known everything I know
And our dreams,
They always coincide
And our bows,
Are always fully tied

Oh, queen bee
Who is happy to see
Oh, queen bee

Sting me
Sting me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Devendra Banhart's song "I Do Dig A Certain Girl" describe the singer's affection towards a particular girl. The first verse expresses the singer's admiration for the girl's moves and uniqueness. He mentions that he has seen everything there is to see in the girl and that he means everything he says. The chorus describes her as a "queen bee" who brings happiness and freedom to his life. He invites her to stay by his side.

The second verse explains how the girl has had similar experiences to him, including kissing and missing the same people. Her intuition is just as good as his, and she treats him kindly. He describes how they share the same knowledge and dream the same dreams. They are always prepared and fully committed to each other. The chorus repeats the description of the girl as the queen bee, happy to see her lover, and he invites her to sting him.

The song's lyrics are open to interpretation, but it seems to be a charming love letter to a special person in the singer's life. The use of natural imagery, such as flower seeds and bows, adds a whimsical and romantic theme to the song.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I do like a certain girl
I have feelings for a particular girl

She moves like a dancing dream
She has a graceful and elegant way of moving

I saw everything I've seen
I have experienced everything I have seen

And I meant everything I mean
My words carry sincere and genuine meaning

Oh, queen bee,
Addressing the certain girl as a queen bee

All is happy and free
Everything feels carefree and content

Land by me
Stay beside me

She's kissed everyone I've kissed
She has shared intimate moments with the same people as me

She's missed everyone I've missed
She has felt the same sense of loss as me

And her guess is always good as mine
She has a similar intuition and understanding as me

I'm blessed,
I feel fortunate