Babylon (David Gray song)

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"Babylon"
Babylon (David Gray single - cover art).jpg
Single by David Gray
from the album White Ladder
Released12 July 1999 (1999-07-12)
GenreFolktronica
Length
  • 4:25 (album version)
  • 3:40 (single version)
Label
Songwriter(s)David Gray
Producer(s)
  • David Gray
  • Iestyn Polson
  • Craig McClune
David Gray singles chronology
"This Year's Love"
(1999) 		"Babylon"
(1999) 		"Please Forgive Me"
(1999)
David Gray singles chronology
"Please Forgive Me"
(1999) 		""Babylon" (re-issue)"
(2000) 		""Please Forgive Me" (re-issue)"
(2001)
Alternative covers
US promo CD cover
US promo CD cover

"Babylon" is a song by the British singer-songwriter David Gray. Originally released on 12 July 1999 as the second single from his fourth album, White Ladder, it was re-released as the fourth single on 19 June 2000. It is his highest-selling single to date, peaking at number five on the UK Singles Chart in June 2000 and receiving a Platinum certification in January 2021. The single also performed well in the United States, peaking at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart.

A remix titled "Babylon II" appears exclusively on the US version of the album.[1] The B-side "Over My Head" also appears on the Japanese pressing of the album as a bonus track.[2] Remixes by Flightcrank were also commissioned in 2000, appearing on several promotional releases.

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[]

Personnel[]

Credits are taken from the 2000 UK CD single liner notes and White Ladder album booklet.[4][8]

  • 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[]

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[24] Platinum 600,000double-dagger

double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history[]

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom 12 July 1999 (1999-07-12) CD IHT [25]
United Kingdom (re-release) 19 June 2000 (2000-06-19)
  • CD
  • cassette
 EastWest [26]
United States 24 October 2000 (2000-10-24) Contemporary hit radio RCA [27]

Cover versions[]

In 2008, Australian singer Kate Ceberano recorded a version for her album So Much Beauty.

References[]

  1. ^ White Ladder (US enhanced CD album liner notes). David Gray. RCA Records. 2000. 07863 69351-2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^ "David Gray White Ladder Japan Promo CD ALBUM (222673)". Eil.com. 2 August 2002. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  3. ^ Babylon (UK CD single liner notes). David Gray. IHT Records. 1999. IHT CDS002, 5033826 1403 2 7.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Babylon (UK CD single liner notes). David Gray. IHT Records, EastWest Records. 2000. EW215CD1, 8573-83703-2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^ Babylon (Australian CD single liner notes). David Gray. IHT Records, EastWest Records. 2000. 8573854242.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ Babylon (European CD single liner notes). David Gray. IHT Records, EastWest Records. 2000. 8573848102.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ "David Gray Babylon USA Promo 5" CD Single (174169)". Eil. 2 January 2001. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  8. ^ White Ladder (UK CD album booklet). David Gray. IHT Records, EastWest Records. 2000. 8573829835.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ "Issue 580" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17 no. 28. 8 July 2000. p. 8. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  11. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – David Gray – Babylon" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  12. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography David Gray". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  13. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – David Gray – Babylon" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  14. ^ "Charts.nz – David Gray – Babylon". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  15. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  16. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  17. ^ "David Gray Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  18. ^ "David Gray Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard.
  19. ^ "David Gray Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  20. ^ "David Gray Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  21. ^ "David Gray Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
  22. ^ "David Gray Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  23. ^ "Best Sellers of 2000: Singles Top 100". Music Week. 20 January 2001. p. 25.
  24. ^ "British single certifications – David Gray – Babylon". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  25. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 12 July, 1999: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 10 July 1999. p. 23. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  26. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting June 19, 2000: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 17 June 2000. p. 23. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  27. ^ "CHR/Pop: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1373. 20 October 2000. p. 48. Retrieved 2 August 2021.

External links[]

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