Guide Note

"Carmensita" is a single from indie musician Devendra Banhart's album, Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon. The video for the track is a parody of Bollywood films. In the video, Benhart's girlfriend, Natalie Portman plays a princess who is rescued from an evil king. The prince who rescues her is played by Banhart.

Fast Facts

1. "Carmensita" is track number 12 on the LP Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon
2. Album released on September 25, 2007¹
3. "Carmensita" is the first single off the album to have a video
4. Video length: 4:58
5. Parody of Bollywood-style films
6. Villain in video: "Lord Rajah The Malevolent"
7. Prince in video: "Prince of Hraminah" played by Banhart
8. Princess in video: "Princess Carmensita Samplingita" played by Portman

"Carmensita" rolls Banhart's stoner-Spanish mumbling over Latin guitar and a conga groove."²—Rolling Stone Review of Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon (2007)