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.
Sight to Behold
Devendra Banhart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you got small words to mold
And you can make 'em your own
Still love it would be much better
Love it would be much better
I'm told
And I love its golden glow
It's the little head inside your little hold
And out spring some sparkling thoughts
Still love it would be much better
Love it would be much better
Love it would be much better
Love it would be much better
It's like finding home
In an old folk song
That you've never ever heard
Still you know every word
And for sure you can sing along
But love it would be much better
Love it would be much better
Love it would be much better
Love it would be much better
I know, I know
The lyrics to Devendra Banhart's song "A Sight to Behold" express the power of words and the immense creativity found in simple, small words. The song centers around the sentiment that even with limited vocabulary, one can still create beautiful, meaningful expressions. Banhart likens this process to "molding" small words into something unique and personal, as if carving sculptures out of clay.
Banhart then goes on to suggest that love would be even better if it were as easy to shape and control as a handful of small words. The repetition of the phrase "love it would be much better" emphasizes the idea that despite the value of language, love still has the potential to be a more profound, transformative force.
The song's final verse compares the experience of discovering a beloved old folk song to the discovery of deeper meaning within one's own words. Banhart sings that even if we've never heard a particular tune before, we can still immediately recognize its beauty and sing along with it. Similarly, when we write or speak, we may discover "sparkling thoughts" that feel familiar and true, like we've known them all along.
Overall, "A Sight to Behold" celebrates the power of creativity and connection found in language, love, and music.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a sight to behold
Something that is truly amazing and worth seeing by everyone around.
When you got small words to mold
When you are given a few words, you can shape them and make those words meaningful.
And you can make 'em your own
You have the ability to personalize those words and make them yours.
Still love it would be much better
Despite having the ability to create something of worth, having love in your life would make it much better.
It's like golden corn
Words that are shaped and crafted well are like the golden corn that is bright, beautiful, and valuable.
And I love its golden glow
The golden glow of the words that are molded by someone are worthy of affection and admiration.
It's the little head inside your little hold
The small ideas that come to someone's mind have the power to create something extraordinary, if they are nurtured well.
And out spring some sparkling thoughts
The ideas that come to someone's mind sparkle, which means they are valuable and deserve recognition.
It's like finding home
Discovering something that one can relate to is like finding a home where they feel safe and protected.
In an old folk song
This discovery can happen in anything, even in old traditional songs that people have been singing for centuries.
That you've never ever heard
It can be something unfamiliar, but it still resonates with you.
Still you know every word
Even though it is new to you, you can understand the meaning and message conveyed by those words.
And for sure you can sing along
You feel connected to it and want to express yourself with it because it resonates so deeply.
I know, I know
I understand the value of love and how it can enrich one's life even more than creating something beautiful.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Devendra Banhart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thais Nicols
on Mi Negrita
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