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.
Ribbon A
Devendra Banhart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd like to sing to you if you'd like me to
I'd like to sing to you if you'd like me to
I'd like to sing, sing, sing, sing, sing to you
Alone
And I'd like to dance with you if you'd like me to
I'd like to dance, dance, dance, dance, dance with you
Alone
I'd like to sleep with you if you'd like me to
I'd like to sleep with you if you'd like me to
I'd like to sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep with you
Alone
Ribbons around the fumes
We'll be sleeping soon
Ribbons around the fumes
We'll be sleeping soon
Ribbons around those fumes
Alone
The song "A Ribbon" by Devendra Banhart is a simple yet evocative piece about intimacy and loneliness. In the first stanza, the singer offers to sing alone to the listener, expressing a desire to connect with them through music. The second stanza continues the theme of connection as the singer offers to dance with the listener, once again expressing a desire to be together. However, the final stanza takes a more somber turn as the singer conveys a desire for physical intimacy with the listener, but not just any physical intimacy - sleeping together. The use of "ribbons around the fumes" adds an ambiguous yet haunting quality to the imagery, perhaps suggesting that the singer is looking for comfort within the fumes of memory or imagination. In the end, the singer concludes with a repetition of the word "alone," driving home the sense of isolation and need for human connection that runs throughout the song.
Overall, "A Ribbon" is a poignant meditation on the complexities of human relationships, specifically the longing for connection and the fear of being alone. The minimalist lyrics and sparse instrumentation create a dreamy, almost ethereal atmosphere that adds to the sense of longing and introspection at the heart of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd like to sing to you if you'd like me to
I want to express my feelings to you through my song if you are willing to listen
I'd like to dance with you if you'd like me to
I want to share my happiness with you through dancing if it is something you'd like to do
I'd like to sleep with you if you'd like me to
I want to spend a restful night with you if that is something you desire
Ribbons around the fumes
Metaphorically, we are tied up in a world that may seem toxic and confusing
We'll be sleeping soon
Our time here is limited and one day we will perish
Ribbons around those fumes
Despite the darkness and confusion, we have each other
Alone
Ultimately, we all must face the great unknown by ourselves
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEVENDRA BANHART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Macmadmanwalk
It's hard to put into words how this song makes me feel.
@martapeter9304
Nagyon szép! It's great!
@willbenitez4353
I listen on scenes of a marriage and I love it
@Spir4osania
Great song and melody by a true gifted person!!!! Thank you Devendra for all these amazing inspirations!!!!!!!
@tryptaminddd
my heart skips a beat when i hear this song.
@freetolisten
my god i come back again and again and this is SOOOO GOOD
@ScallywagsDojo
we love this, its just magic
@juliac9812
Pure magic 🌺
@tinuvielifysuila
yip**yop**yep**vagues qui laminent la plage, vagues à l'âme qui ravagent en palme volubiles les coeurs et vacillent sans pleur et sans peur nos tristes âmes de saules pleureurs.............trop excellent, bello sueno. Tinù, elfita en envol
@Dark69Sun
never heard a beautiful song like this : O <333