The material on '' Banga '' is " inspired by Smith 's unique dreams and observations " and the album 's lyrics are " a reflection of our complex world – a world that is rife with chaos and beauty . " Both the album 's musical structure and lyrical themes vary . " Amerigo " is based on " imagining the voyage of Amerigo Vespucci to the New World in 1497 " and " Fuji-san " is a rock song in tribute to the people of Japan following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami . " This is the Girl " is referred to as " a classic ballad " in memory of English musician Amy Winehouse and " Nine " is reportedly a birthday song for Smith 's friend Johnny Depp . " Constantine 's Dream " is a " ten-minute-plus improvisational meditation " and Smith has said " in the song there are many questions . It questions the role of artists in our society . The questions are there , and they 're not answerable questions . " " Maria " is partially based on actress Maria Schneider and the song Smith calls " the more emotional song on the record . " Describing the song , Smith said : " it 's the one that looks back on a beautiful time and sort of encapsulates the 1970s in a certain way for me . It 's a nice little R&B song , but an emotional song . " In an interview on '' CBS News Sunday Morning '' on April 1 , 2012 , Smith explained the album 's title : " for those who are curious , you can find what '' Banga '' is if you read '' The Master and Margarita '' by Bulgakov . " In '' The Master and Margarita '' , Banga is Pontius Pilate 's dog to whom Pilate could freely complain about the hemicrania that tortured him . Other songs on the album were also inspired by literature , particularly " April Fool , " inspired by Nikolai Gogol . Coincidentally the Photos within the Booklet of the CD detail part of the albums recording , in late 2011 aboard the Costa Concordia , months before she capsized off the coast of Italy
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
Banga (album)