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.
Nice People
Devendra Banhart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We certainly are nice people
Nice people
Certainly are nice people
In your whitest suit
And lion tattoos
In your whitest suit
You've seen it all
Seen it all
Pale horse licks your skin begin
Begin begin begin begin begin
We certainly are
We certainly are nice people
Nice people
Certainly are nice people
Nice people
In your white suit
And lion tattoos
And your whitest suit
And lion tattoos
You've seen it all
Seen it all
Pale horse licks your skin
Begin begin begin begin begin
We certainly are nice people
Nice people
Nice people
Nice people
Nice people
The lyrics of Devendra Banhart's song Nice People can be interpreted in a few different ways, but one possible interpretation is that it is a commentary on society's tendency to put on appearances and strive to be seen as "nice people," even when there may be darker or more complex aspects to our personalities and experiences. The repetition of "We certainly are nice people" throughout the song could be seen as a kind of ironic mantra, underscoring the idea that just because we say we're nice doesn't always mean we truly are, or that our actions and intentions are always benevolent.
The image of the "white suit and lion tattoos" could be seen as another symbol of this desire to project a certain type of image, since a white suit is typically associated with cleanliness, purity, and maybe even a kind of innocence, while tattoos, especially those depicting fierce animals like lions, can be seen as a sign of toughness, rebelliousness, or personal expression. The line "you've seen it all" could suggest that the singer is referring to someone who has experienced a lot in life and has perhaps gained some wisdom or perspective, but it's also possible that this is a sarcastic or dismissive remark, suggesting that the person in question only thinks they've seen it all.
The reference to a "pale horse licks your skin" could be a more ambiguous image, but it could be seen as a reference to death or mortality, with the pale horse representing the Grim Reaper or another kind of mythic figure. The repeated use of "begin begin begin" could be seen as a way to inject a sense of urgency into the song, urging listeners to start something new or take action instead of remaining stuck in their current state.
Overall, the lyrics of Nice People can be seen as both playful and somewhat cynical, playing with language and imagery to subvert our expectations and challenge our assumptions about what it means to be "nice people."
Line by Line Meaning
We certainly are nice people
People believe that we are kind and good individuals.
We certainly are nice people
Again, people acknowledge our pleasant demeanor.
Nice people
We are known as amiable and considerate human beings.
Certainly are nice people
This statement reiterates that we are definitely good-hearted people.
In your whitest suit
This line describes the physical appearance of someone present.
And lion tattoos
This line continues the previous line's focus on the individual's appearance, noting that they have lion tattoos.
In your whitest suit
Once again, we are reminded of the individual's attire.
And your lion tattoos
Their body art is emphasized again.
You've seen it all
The person being addressed has had many experiences.
Seen it all
This line is repeated to emphasize the person's level of experience.
Pale horse licks your skin begin
This line is cryptic and difficult to interpret. It could be interpreted as a reference to death, illness, or the supernatural.
Begin begin begin begin begin
The repetition of 'begin' seems to suggest that something new is starting or about to occur.
We certainly are
Returning to the original theme of the song, this line emphasizes once again that we are good people.
nice people
This phrase is repeated to continue the song's theme of our amiable nature.
Nice people
This line is repeated again for emphasis.
Nice people
The final line reiterates the message that we are kind-hearted individuals.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thais Nicols
on Mi Negrita
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