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.
Souvenirs
Devendra Banhart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He pushes her chair and wheels her inside
They can hear the rain and wonder where it′s going
Tuesday's rain
Tuesday′s rain
They used to not dare
But now they love to go dancing
And with a little swivel he can spin her around
The rest just falls into your place
And all of the pain
All of the pain
That followed the lady in waiting
Lady in waiting
For a heart not alone anymore
Riding on a bus on the way to the airport
A couple stares, she knows the feeling well
But like her father used to say
Forgive and walk away
Tuesday′s rain
Tuesday′s rain
The lyrics to Souvenirs by Devendra Banhart tell a story of a couple who frequents a hotel in California, where they enjoy dancing and spending time together. The lyrics also touch upon the concept of forgiveness and moving on from past pain. The couple is characterized by their love for one another and their willingness to forgive and move forward.
The opening line, "Welcome to the hotel in California," creates a sense of familiarity for the couple, implying that they have been to this hotel multiple times. The next line, "He pushes her chair and wheels her inside," gives the impression that the woman may require assistance due to a physical ailment, but it is also possible that the man is simply being chivalrous. The next few lines mention the rain, which could symbolize renewal or cleansing. The chorus speaks of the power of love to heal past wounds, and the line "Lady in waiting for a heart not alone anymore" further emphasizes the theme of finding love as a way to move past pain.
The next verse describes the couple on a bus on their way to the airport, where they encounter another couple who is experiencing the same emotions they once felt. Banhart's father's quote, "Forgive and walk away," is mentioned as a way to suggest moving on from past pain is the best course of action. The song concludes with a repetition of the phrase "Tuesday's rain," which may symbolize the cyclical nature of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to the hotel in California
The song begins with a reference to an imagined hotel named California. It functions as a metaphor for a place of comfort and familiarity.
He pushes her chair and wheels her inside
An image of chivalry is portrayed with a man being considerate of his companion and helping with her wheelchair.
They can hear the rain and wonder where it's going
The sound of rain is used to illustrate a moment of contemplation where the characters ponder about the future and the direction their life is taking.
Tuesday's rain
The repetition of 'Tuesday's rain' serves to emphasize the memory of a particular rain - perhaps it was a significant moment in their lives.
They used to not dare
The characters of the song have overcome their fears and now live life without hesitation or reservation.
But now they love to go dancing
The characters have discovered a new-found joy in dancing, perhaps due to finding love or a sense of liberation.
And with a little swivel he can spin her around
The lyrics paint an endearing picture of a couple dancing, with the man delighting in the ability to twirl his partner around.
'Cause when love shows its face
The introduction of love into their lives has had a transformative effect and has given them a sense of purpose and direction.
The rest just falls into your place
Once love is present, everything else in life falls into perspective and their worries and fears are minimized.
And all of the pain
Despite the joy and newfound love, the pain of their past experiences still lingers.
All of the pain
The repetition of 'All of the pain' reinforces the idea that there's a lingering pain that they must confront and come to terms with.
That followed the lady in waiting
Perhaps one of the characters was previously more passive and waited for love to find them, yet it came at a cost of enduring pain.
Lady in waiting
The phrase 'Lady in waiting' is used to describe the character, emphasizing the traditional role of waiting for someone else to come into their life.
For a heart not alone anymore
The quest for companionship and love is something that they have both found, allowing them to no longer feel lonely or isolated.
Riding on a bus on the way to the airport
An image of leaving is illustrated with a bus ride towards an airport, bringing up feelings of departure and saying goodbye.
A couple stares, she knows the feeling well
The character spotted a couple in love and recognized the feeling of affection and connection that is present in a healthy relationship.
But like her father used to say
The lyrics shift to a remembered advice from her father, signaling a theme of generational wisdom.
Forgive and walk away
The advice encapsulates the idea of forgiveness as a means of letting go and moving past issues in order to move forward with life.
Tuesday's rain
The repetition of 'Tuesday's rain' re-emphasizes the idea of a significant moment in the past that is still being processed and understood.
Writer(s): Devendra Banhart
Contributed by Jayce A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Thais Nicols
on Mi Negrita
<3