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.

London London
Devendra Banhart Lyrics

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I'm wandering round and round nowhere to go
I'm lonely in London London is lovely so
I cross the streets without fear
Everybody keeps the way clear
I know, I know no one here to say hello
I know they keep the way clear
I am lonely in London without fear
I'm wandering round and round here nowhere to go

While my eyes
Go looking for flying saucers in the sky

Oh Sunday, Monday, Autumm pass by me
And people hurry on so peacefully
A group approaches a policeman
He seems so pleased to please them
It's glad to live at least and I agree
He seems so pleased at least
And it's so good to live in peace and
Sunday, Monday, years and I agree
I agree

While my eyes
Go looking for flying saucers in the sky
While my eyes
Go looking for flying saucers in the sky

I choose no face to look at
Choose no way
I just happen to be here
And it's ok
Green grass, blue eyes, gray sky, God bless
Silent pain and happiness
I came around to say yes, and I say

Green grass, blue eyes, gray sky, God bless
Silent pain and happiness
I came around to say yes, and I say

But my eyes
Go looking for flying saucers in the sky

But my eyes
Go looking for flying saucers in the sky.

Overall Meaning

Devendra Banhart's song "London London" is a melancholic ode to the city of London. The opening lines "I'm wandering round and round nowhere to go, I'm lonely in London London is lovely so" set the tone for the rest of the song. The artist admits to being lost in the city with no particular destination in mind. While London is beautiful, the singer is still overcome with loneliness. However, despite being a stranger in London, the artist is able to walk freely and without fear, as the people around him keep the way clear. He longs for someone to say hello, but no one does. As the song progresses, the artist becomes fixated on the idea of flying saucers, searching the sky for them. The repeated refrain "But my eyes go looking for flying saucers in the sky" adds to the song's dreamy, otherworldly atmosphere.

The second verse describes the passing of time, with Sundays and Mondays blurring into one another. People rush around peacefully, and the artist observes a group of people approaching a policeman, who appears pleased to be able to help them. The artist feels a sense of relief that he is able to live at least, and agrees that it is good to live in peace. The chorus is repeated twice more, with the same fixation on flying saucers.

The final verse begins with the artist choosing no particular face or way to look at. He is merely existing in the space he is in, and that is okay. He observes the beauty of the natural world, with its green grass, blue skies, and gray clouds. He acknowledges the existence of both pain and happiness, and admits that he has come to say yes to life. However, his eyes can't help but return to the sky in search of flying saucers once more.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm wandering round and round nowhere to go
I am aimlessly walking in circles with no destination in sight.

I'm lonely in London London is lovely so
Despite the beauty of London, I feel isolated and alone.

I cross the streets without fear
I feel safe to walk across the streets without worrying about traffic.

Everybody keeps the way clear
Pedestrians and drivers alike move aside to let me pass without hindrance.

I know, I know no one here to say hello
I realize that I am unfamiliar with anyone and have no acquaintances to greet.

I know they keep the way clear
Although I am a stranger, people continue to move out of my way.

I am lonely in London without fear
Though I feel isolated in London, I remain unafraid.

While my eyes Go looking for flying saucers in the sky
Despite my surroundings, my mind is preoccupied with thoughts of the unknown and the fantastical.

Oh Sunday, Monday, Autumm pass by me
The days and seasons continue to change, yet I remain stationary.

And people hurry on so peacefully
The city around me is alive with activity, but it occurs without disturbance.

A group approaches a policeman He seems so pleased to please them
A crowd approaches a police officer, and he is content to help them with their needs.

It's glad to live at least and I agree
It is satisfying to be alive and witness the world around me.

And it's so good to live in peace and Sunday, Monday, years and I agree I agree
Living peacefully for years, regardless of the changing times, brings about contentment.

I choose no face to look at Choose no way I just happen to be here And it's ok
I am indifferent to those around me and how I got here, but I am content with the present moment.

Green grass, blue eyes, gray sky, God bless Silent pain and happiness I came around to say yes, and I say
The beauty of the natural world invokes both happiness and sadness, but ultimately, I choose to be optimistic by saying 'yes' to life.

But my eyes Go looking for flying saucers in the sky
Although I strive for a more positive outlook, my thoughts continue to linger on the fantastical and the surreal.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, TERRA ENTERPRISES, INC.
Written by: Caetano Emmanuel Viana Teles Veloso

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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