David Gray's Babylon

[NORTHCOAST]

Love this song.  But, always wondered what Babylon meant in the lyrics.  Here they are below.  Any insights?  Also, does anyone know which version of Babylon was the single?  There are two versions on White Ladder.  I like the last track on the CD better.

BABYLON
DAVID GRAY


Friday night I'm going nowhere
All the lights are changing green to red
Turning over TV stations
Situations running through my head
Well looking back through time
You know it's clear that I've been blind
I've been a fool
To ever open up my heart
To all that jealousy, that bitterness, that ridicule

Saturday I'm running wild
And all the lights are changing red to green
Moving through the crowd I'm pushing
Chemicals all rushing through my bloodstream
Only wish that you were here
You know I'm seeing it so clear
I've been afraid
To tell you how I really feel
Admit to some of those bad mistakes I've made

If you want it
Come and get it
Crying out loud
The love that I was
Giving you was
Never in doubt
Let go your heart
Let go your head
And feel it now

Babylon, Babylon

Sunday all the lights of London
Shining , Sky is fading red to blue
I'm kicking through the Autumn leaves
And wondering where it is you might be going to
Turning back for home
You know I'm feeling so alone
I can't believe
Climbing on the stair
I turn around to see you smiling there
In front of me


If you want it
Come and get it
Crying out loud
The love that I was
Giving you was
Never in doubt
And feel it now
Let go your heart
Let go your head
And feel it now
Let go your heart
Let go your head
And feel it now
Let go your heart
Let go your head
And feel it now
Let go your heart
Let go your head
And feel it now

Babylon, Babylon, Babylon

[Deleted]

I like it.

[SyrupBoy]

The original UK version was better.

[msanoja]

Too granola for me.

[reception]

I like it.

[No Brake$]

awesome

[chebingeo]

yuck

[reception]

It peaked at #24 on the AC chart as mentioned on the US Music Survey. David is so sick of singing it at concerts, he mentioned he won't do it anymore.

[JCMF3]

msanoja said:

Too granola for me.

How is a song "granola?"

This song was just OK. I remember charting it at the beginning of 2001, but beyond that, I haven't heard it much.

[Mike]

I LOVE it

[cartman2002]

Babylon peaked at #57 in 2001

[joker]

I like it.

[Matt4319]

It took a while for me to get into this (i.e., not until it had fallen off the charts), but it's a very enjoyable listen now. I don't think I've ever heard a version of the song with that third verse before though. :o

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

Love it! I like a few David Gray songs but this one will always be my favourite! I remember it got to like #31 or something on AT40 during those odd few months of using the mystery chart. Big hit for me though.

[🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾]

Love this one. The vocals are simply exquisite. I had missed out on the original the first time around, but I heard a remix produced by Junior Vasquez using a live recording (to get the vocals).

[tico]

I like it

[Deleted]

Excellent song.

[CookyMonzta]

Jan 30, 2007 17:01:06 GMT -5 cartman2002 said:

Babylon peaked at #57 in 2001

I first heard this late in 2000, and I thought it would become an even bigger hit. He made 2 videos for it.

[atlantaboy]

Jun 15, 2011 23:07:48 GMT -5 CookyMonzta said:

Jan 30, 2007 17:01:06 GMT -5 cartman2002 said:

Babylon peaked at #57 in 2001

I first heard this late in 2000, and I thought it would become an even bigger hit. He made 2 videos for it.

It peaked at #31 CHR...and pretty sure it hit #1 on the AAA chart

[No Brake$]

This is a timeless cut. It could come out today and probably be even bigger. It was out during a time of boybands and rap-rock, it was really a gem. I remember looking at the AAA chart in 2000 and this just exploded out of nowhere. I believe it went Top 10 on Hot AC and Top 25 on CHR\POP (very impressive at that time, hell, today too). First time I heard it and didn't get it, then I heard it again and loved it. One of my favorites ever.

[thirddegree50123]

Love this song. Listened to it the other day. Hadn't heard it in years

[The Brazilian Guy 🇧🇷]

One of my favorite songs from the early 2000s. I always get such a nostalgic (and melancholic) feeling whenever I listen to this.

This and "Please Forgive Me" are my favorites from him

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

He’s released two compilation albums - one a “greatest hits” and the other a “best of”. Both have this song (and a similar track list) and of course I have both, one on cd and the other on vinyl. He has a great selection of singles. This is still one of my favourites.