The Seventies

Song Meaning

Devendra Banhart's "The Seventies" is less about historical accuracy and more about a state of mind, a yearning for a bygone era perceived as simpler, freer, and perhaps more sexually liberated. The repeated denial that "the Seventies are over" coupled with specific years ('73, '72, '71, '70) suggests a refusal to let go of an idealized past. It's a playful, almost childlike insistence on maintaining a particular fantasy. The song's meaning isn't rooted in concrete facts, but in the emotional resonance of a cultural touchstone. Banhart isn't literally stuck in 1972; he's exploring the human tendency to romanticize previous eras, particularly those associated with youth and hedonism. The chorus introduces the enigmatic "Sally," central to the song's underlying desire. The repeated line, "You know that I can't wait for Sally to shower and then...to shower me in," shifts the focus from nostalgic yearning to a more primal longing. The "shower" becomes a symbol—a baptism, a cleansing, an inundation of something desired. Is it affection? Physical pleasure? Perhaps all of the above. The repetition of this line, bordering on obsessive, underscores the intensity of this desire. The ambiguity is key; Banhart leaves it to the listener to fill in the blanks, tapping into their own projections and longings. Ultimately, "The Seventies" functions as an artful exploration of time, memory, and desire. It's a whimsical yet psychologically astute commentary on how we construct and cling to our personal narratives. The song's repetitive structure, far from being monotonous, reinforces the cyclical nature of nostalgia and the persistent pull of the past. Banhart uses the seemingly simple premise to delve into the complexities of human emotion, leaving us to ponder the power of idealized memories and the ever-present yearning for something just out of reach. The almost absurd repetition of "Don't you wanna shower me?" at the outro transforms the song into a hypnotic mantra, a plea to be enveloped in something transformative.