"Babylon" is a song by British singer-songwriter David Gray. Originally released on 12 July 1999 as the second single from his fourth album, White Ladder (1998), it was re-released as the album's fourth single on 19 June 2000. Described as Gray's signature song, "Babylon" is "about a love that is lost and found again".
"Babylon" peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart on re-release in June 2000 and, eventually, received a platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in January 2021. The single also charted in the United States, peaking at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Triple-A chart. In February 2021, for the 25th anniversary of the latter chart, Billboard ranked the song sixth on its list of the 100 most successful songs in the chart's history.
A remix titled "Babylon II" appears exclusively on the US version of the album. One B-side of the 2000 re-release, "Over My Head", also appears on the Japanese pressing of the album as a bonus track.
Music videos Two videos were produced to accompany the song. Version one was released in 2000 and directed by Kieran Evans. It features David Gray singing directly into the camera as it pans from right to left across a number of scenes throughout the city of London at nighttime. A second, and stylistically similar, video was also released which shows Gray performing the song intercut with live concert footage and street scenes in San Francisco.
Track listings UK CD single (1999) "Babylon" "Lead Me Upstairs" (live at the Temple Bar Music Centre, Dublin, on 16 December 1998) "New Horizons" (live at the Temple Bar Music Centre, Dublin, on 16 December 1998)
UK CD and cassette single (2000); Australian CD single "Babylon" (radio mix one) "Tell Me More Lies" "Over My Head"
European CD single "Babylon" (radio mix one) "Tell Me More Lies"
Personnel Personnel are taken from the 2000 UK CD single liner notes and the White Ladder album booklet. David Gray – writing, vocals, guitar, piano, production Craig McClune – drums, vocals, bass, production Tim Bradshaw – keyboards Iestyn Polson – production, programming, engineering Phil Knott – cover photo Yumi Matote – design
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2000–2001)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100)24
Year-end charts Chart (2000)PositionUK Singles (OCC)78US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)88US Triple-A (Billboard)7 Chart (2001)PositionUS Adult Top 40 (Billboard)30US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)94US Triple-A (Billboard)11
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United Kingdom12 July 1999CDIHTUnited Kingdom (re-release)19 June 2000EastWestUnited States28 August 2000RCA24 October 2000Contemporary hit radio
References