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.
Little Monkey
Devendra Banhart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From your fig tree
Your Jewish canteen
Baby pigeon, yellow diamonds
Queen of catskills
Sings so long sweet thing
Tiny spider, tender fighter
Sing rin-tin-tin with all your fathers
This song by Devendra Banhart is a poetic and enigmatic lyrical piece that incorporates various images and metaphors to create a multi-layered and evocative narrative. The song begins with the image of a little monkey swinging by the singer from a fig tree. The monkey is a symbol of playfulness, innocence, and mischief. The fig tree, on the other hand, is a symbol of fertility, abundance, and growth. The singer then refers to a Jewish canteen, which could be interpreted as some kind of spiritual or cultural hub where people come together to share food, stories, and songs.
The next line refers to a baby pigeon and yellow diamonds, both of which are associated with preciousness, delicacy, and beauty. The Queen of Catskills is an interesting image that could be understood in various ways. It could refer to a literal queen who rules over a region named Catskills, or it could symbolize a powerfully confident and independent woman who stands out from the rest. The Queen of Catskills sings so long sweet thing, which could be a message of farewell or a lullaby. The last line of the song mentions a tiny spider who is also a tender fighter. This image could represent perseverance, resilience, and agility. The spider is then asked to sing rin-tin-tin with all its fathers, which could mean to join in a chorus of celebration or to remember and honor one's ancestors.
Line by Line Meaning
Little monkey swinging by me
A small and playful primate is hanging near me, moving back and forth on a branch or vine.
From your fig tree
It seems that the monkey is situated in or near a fig tree and may be enjoying the fruit.
Your Jewish canteen
Perhaps there is a canteen or water source nearby that the monkey frequents, which is noted to be connected to Jewish culture or tradition.
Baby pigeon, yellow diamonds
This line is possibly referencing the contrast between different types of birds - a small, helpless baby pigeon in comparison to bright and valuable diamonds.
Queen of catskills
The monkey is likened to a queen, possibly indicating her regal nature or ability to command attention.
Sings so long sweet thing
The monkey is noted to vocalize in some way, emitting a sweet or soothing sound.
Tiny spider, tender fighter
A small spider is noted for its delicate appearance, but also potentially its ability to hold its own in a fight or competition.
Sing rin-tin-tin with all your fathers
This line could be interpreted in different ways, but may suggest the idea of singing or echoing something that has been passed down through generations or family members.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEVENDRA BANHART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thais Nicols
on Mi Negrita
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