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.

Rats
Devendra Banhart Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

One above
Heaven under
One for thirst
One for hunger

I am the dark
You are the thunder
I am the doubt

You are the wonder

Since time began
You've been the long time man
And mama ain't it grand
That I get to be the fool again
I get to be the fool again

I close my eyes and I see you dancing
Do you see me when you close yours too
'Cause every kiss that I don't give
Is another life that I don't live
And mama it's so much sweeter when I do, hey

Love
Is light ignited
And everyone
Is invited

But if you don't ever try
How can you give it one more try
If you don't ever ever try
How can you give it one more try
Give it one more try

I close my eyes and I see you dancing
Do you see me when you close yours too
'Cause every kiss that we don't give is another life that we don't live

And mama it's so much sweeter when we do
Rats

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Devendra Banhart's song Rats are poetic and open to interpretation. The first stanza suggests a contrast between heaven and hunger, and the presence of both good and bad in the world. The second stanza is a dialogue between two contrasting characters, one being the dark and the other thunder. The third stanza is about the uncertainty and unpredictability of life, with the lyrics "since time began, you've been the long time man," suggesting that regardless of our individual experiences, time is a constant force that has always existed.

The chorus talks about the power of love, stating that it is "light ignited" and everyone is invited to experience it. The lyrics suggest that love requires effort and taking chances, and that not trying will result in regret. The final part of the chorus is about the unfulfilled potential of not taking risks, with the lyric "every kiss that I don't give is another life that I don't live" emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities.

Overall, the lyrics of Rats convey themes of contrast, uncertainty, and the importance of taking risks in life to experience love and fulfillment.

Line by Line Meaning

One above
Acknowledging the presence of a higher power or force above us

Heaven under
Recognizing the concept of a heaven or afterlife beneath us

One for thirst
There is something to quench our physical needs

One for hunger
There is something to satisfy our hunger and cravings

I am the dark
Expressing oneself as being in a dark and uncertain place

You are the thunder
Someone else being a source of power or inspiration

I am the doubt
Feeling doubtful and uncertain in oneself or the situation

You are the wonder
Recognizing another person as amazing and awe-inspiring

Since time began
Acknowledging the existence of time and how long something has been going on

You've been the long time man
Referring to someone else who has been a consistent presence and influence for a long time

And mama ain't it grand
Expressing excitement or gratitude for something that is great or wonderful

That I get to be the fool again
Feeling like one will make mistakes or be foolish, but still being open to learning and growing

I close my eyes and I see you dancing
Thinking about someone or a past experience in a fond and nostalgic way

Do you see me when you close yours too
Wondering if someone else also thinks about or remembers us in the same way we do them

Cause every kiss that I don't give is another life that I don't live
Understanding the value of taking risks, trying new things, and living life to the fullest

And mama it's so much sweeter when I do, hey
Believing that the rewards of taking chances and being vulnerable are greater than the risks

Love
A powerful force that connects us and ignites change

Is light ignited
Exploring the idea that love is like a spark that starts a fire

And everyone
Emphasizing that love is universal and inclusive

Is invited
Implying that everyone has the opportunity to embrace and experience love

But if you don't ever try
Recognizing that taking risks and stepping out of one's comfort zone is scary, but necessary for growth

How can you give it one more try
Encouraging oneself to continue trying, even after setbacks or failures

Give it one more try
Reiterating the importance of perseverance and resilience

Cause every kiss that we don't give is another life that we don't live
Reminding us that holding back and not taking action can lead to regret

And mama it's so much sweeter when we do
Affirming that embracing love and taking risks can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment

Rats
An unexpected interjection and conclusion to the song, possibly indicating a negative emotion or situation that the singer is experiencing

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEVENDRA BANHART, GREGORY SAMUEL ROGOVE, LUCKEY REMINGTON, NOAH GEORGESON, PAUL BUTLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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