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.

Taurobolium
Devendra Banhart Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't keep myself from evil
I can't keep myself from evil
I can't keep myself from evil
I can't keep myself from evil

I can't keep myself from evil
I can't keep myself from evil
I can't keep myself from evil

I can't keep myself from evil

So much desire there left in me
So much perversion you can't see
So much desire there left in me
So much malignance you can't see

So much desire
So much desire
So much desire
So much desire

I can't keep myself from evil
I can't keep myself from evil
I can't keep myself from evil
I can't keep myself from evil

So much desire there left in me
So much perversion you can't see
So much desire there left in me
So much malignance you can't see

So much desire
So much desire
So much desire
So much desire

Keep me from the evil

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Devendra Banhart's song Taurobolium seem to be admitting to a struggle with the darker side of human nature, particularly with regards to sexual desire. The repetition in the first stanza of "I can't keep myself from evil" emphasizes a feeling of powerlessness to resist these urges. The subsequent stanzas repeat that there is "so much desire" and "so much perversion" within the singer, indicating perhaps a sense of shame or guilt about these feelings. The use of the word "malignance," which connotes harm or malice, adds a harsher element to the emotions being expressed.

Throughout the song, Banhart's vocal performance is characterized by an unsteady, wavering quality that seems to underscore the vulnerability and confusion of the singer. In the chorus, the repetition of "keep me from the evil" could suggest a desire for external control or guidance in order to avoid giving into temptation. Taken as a whole, the lyrics of Taurobolium present a raw, unvarnished exploration of the darker corners of the human psyche.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't keep myself from evil
I am unable to avoid doing evil

So much desire there left in me
There is still so much passion within me

So much perversion you can't see
There is so much twisted darkness within me that is hidden

So much desire there left in me
There is still so much passion within me

So much malignance you can't see
There is so much malice within me that is hidden

So much desire
So much passion

Keep me from the evil
Prevent me from doing evil

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEVENDRA BANHART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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