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.
Will Is My Friend
Devendra Banhart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will is my friend
Will sings like John
Goin' back to california
Will is the west
Coast with me
Will is a pass
Will is a good friend of mine
With whom i spend a whole lotta my time
The lemon tree
It laughs at me
It's growin' beautifully
The little vine
It won't unwind
And it'll wrap your whole in time
Now let's have a glass of wine
Now let's have another glass of wine
This is the water
In which we wade
This is our father
And this is how he strayed
This is the wind
And this is the breeze
I ooooo eeee
Will is my friend
Will sings like john
Goin' back to california
The lyrics of Devendra Banhart's song 'Will Is My Friend' are about his friend named Will who he cherishes spending time with. Banhart describes Will as someone who sings like John, possibly referring to John Lennon, and is associated with the West Coast. He compares Will to a pass, suggesting that he is a gateway to the beautiful natural landscapes of the West Coast. Banhart then shifts focus to nature, describing a lemon tree that laughs at him and a vine that won't unwind. He suggests that they have a glass of wine together and ends the song by stating 'Will is my friend / Will sings like John / Goin' back to California'.
The song celebrates the joy of companionship and the beauty of nature. Will is an important person in Banhart's life, and the West Coast is his happy place where he can relax and enjoy nature's beauty. The lemon tree and vine signify the tangled mess of life, but even in the chaos, there is always time for friendship and a glass of wine. The song also reflects a sense of nostalgia for the West Coast, suggesting that it is where the comfort of home lies.
Line by Line Meaning
Will is my friend
I consider Will to be a close acquaintance of mine.
Will sings like John
Will has a singing voice similar to that of John (as in John Lennon or John Mayer).
Goin' back to california
I am returning to the state of California.
Will is the west
Will is a representation of the western part of the United States.
Coast with me
Join me as I travel along the coast.
Will is a pass
Will is a pathway or route between two points.
Is a plenty
There are many Will-like friends to be found.
Will is a good friend of mine
Will and I have a strong friendship.
With whom i spend a whole lotta my time
I invest a significant amount of my time in the company of Will.
The lemon tree
There is a lemon tree in the vicinity.
It laughs at me
The lemon tree seems to be mocking me in some manner.
It's growin' beautifully
The lemon tree is currently flourishing and seems to be in a healthy state of growth.
The little vine
There is a small vine present in the area.
It won't unwind
The vine refuses to uncoil.
And it'll wrap your whole in time
Over time, the vine will surround and completely envelop whatever it is in close proximity to.
Now let's have a glass of wine
It is time to consume an alcoholic beverage, specifically wine.
Now let's have another glass of wine
We should continue to indulge in wine consumption.
This is the water
The substance present before us is water.
In which we wade
We are currently standing or moving through the body of water.
This is our father
The figure before us represents our father in some way.
And this is how he strayed
The father figure deviated from the expected or acceptable path in some manner.
This is the wind
The movement of air in the surrounding environment.
And this is the breeze
A light or gentle form of wind, usually characterized by a pleasant cooling sensation.
I ooooo eeee
The vocalist is engaging in an extended vocalization or vocal riff.
Will is my friend
Reiteration of the earlier stated idea that Will is a friend of mine.
Will sings like john
Reiteration of the earlier stated idea that Will's vocal stylings are reminiscent of John's.
Goin' back to california
Another statement that I am returning to California.
Contributed by Thomas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Thais Nicols
on Mi Negrita
<3