Baba Hanuman

Album: Breath of the Heart (2001)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • After spending two years in India in the early '70s, Krishna Das returned to America, where he brought a contemporary sound to the Hindu chants he had studied. He released his first album in 1996, and quickly built a following that included Rick Rubin, who signed on to produce his Breath of the Heart.

    Rubin produced the album at Cello Studios in Los Angeles, recording live with a 50-voice choir and an array of unusual instruments, including a Tabla (played by Ty Burhoe) and a Bansuri (played by Steve Gorn).
  • The lyrics to this song are various mantras to different Hindu deities, including Hanuman, Sita and Ram. The song is very popular at meditations where practitioners repeat these mantra to go deeper into their thoughts.
  • Krishna Das was at a Yoga Journal conference in Colorado when he came up with this song. "It was in the morning and I was in my room," he told us. "I was just kind of fooling around with the harmonium, singing a little bit. And you know, because I don't play harmonium very well, a lot of times my fingers don't go where I want them to. So, my finger went somewhere and I went, 'Oh! That sounds good. What is that?' And then there was the song. It just came through."
  • Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers played organ on this track.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Bob Dylan Lyric Quiz

Bob Dylan Lyric QuizMusic Quiz

Think you know your Bob Dylan lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.