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.

Last Song for B
Devendra Banhart Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

A movement
Attunement
A new dream
Beyond dream

A shadow
Lies wilting
A child

Born singing

I want to grow
I want to grow
I want to grow
I want to grow
Want to grow

Holding on
Unite us
This lifetime
As lovers
For all time

A movement
Attunement
A new dream
Beyond dream

A shadow
Lies wilting
A child
Born singing

I want to grow
I want to grow
I want to grow
I want to grow
Want to grow

Holding on
Unite us
This lifetime

As lovers
For all time

Overall Meaning

The song "Last Song for B" by Devendra Banhart is a contemplative piece about growth and unity, with a sense of longing for something more. The lyrics describe the desire to move beyond one's current state of being and into a new dream, one that is "beyond dream". This dream may be seen as a metaphor for a deeper understanding or awareness of oneself and the world. The shadow that "lies wilting" represents the past or perhaps a negative aspect of oneself that is being left behind as the singer grows.

The line "A child born singing" adds a sense of innocence and purity to the song, as if the growth being described is a return to a more natural state of being. The repeated desire to grow is a call to action, encouraging the listener to seek out personal growth and strive towards something more fulfilling in life. The final lines, "Holding on, unite us / This lifetime, as lovers / For all time", suggest a desire for connection and unity with others, as well as a recognition of the finite nature of life and the importance of cherishing and valuing the time we have.

Line by Line Meaning

A movement
A call for change, for progress, for forward motion

Attunement
A desire for harmony, balance, alignment with oneself and the world

A new dream
A vision for the future, a hope for something yet to come

Beyond dream
An aspiration for something greater than one's imagination or expectation

A shadow
A reminder of the past, of the things left behind or forgotten

Lies wilting
The falsehoods and illusions of the past losing their power, shriveling up and dying off

A child
The innocence and purity of youth, uncorrupted by the world

Born singing
Instinctively expressing oneself, creating art, making music as a natural part of existence

I want to grow
A personal declaration of a desire to progress, to become better in some way

Want to grow
Reaffirmation of the earlier sentiment, emphasizing the importance of growth and development

Holding on
Clinging to something important, not letting go of what matters most