Babylon (David Gray song)

"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 12 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 Gold certification in November 2017. The single also performed well in the United States, peaking at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart, and number eight on the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart. Elsewhere, the song reached number 31 in both Ireland and New Zealand while becoming a minor hit in Australia, Germany and the Netherlands.

"Babylon"
Single by David Gray
from the album White Ladder
Released12 July 1999
12 June 2000 (re-issue)
GenreFolktronica
Length3:40 (single version)
4:25 (album version)
LabelIHT, EastWest
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

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 promo-only releases.[3]

Track listings

1999 CD single

  1. "Babylon" – 3:40
  2. "Lead Me Upstairs" (Live at the Temple Bar Music Centre, Dublin, on 16 December 1998) – 4:20
  3. "New Horizons" (Live at the Temple Bar Music Centre, Dublin, on 16 December 1998) – 5:47
2000 CD single
  1. "Babylon" (Radio Mix One) – 3:30
  2. "Tell Me More Lies" – 3:23
  3. "Over My Head" – 4:24
US promo CD single[4]
  1. "Babylon" (Radio Mix) – 3:30
UK 10" promo vinyl
  1. "Babylon (Flightcrank Remix) – 5:01
  2. "Babylon (Flightcrank Remix Instrumental) – 5:01

Personnel
  • David Gray–vocals, guitar, piano
  • Craig McClune–drums, vocals, bass
  • Tim Bradshaw–keyboards
  • Iestyn Polson–programmer

Charts
Chart (2000) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[5] 51
Germany (Official German Charts)[6] 96
Ireland (IRMA)[7] 31
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[8] 81
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[9] 31
Poland (LP3)[10] 31
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[11] 4
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[12] 5
US Billboard Hot 100[13] 57
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[14] 1
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[15] 26
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[16] 8
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[17] 25
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[18] 36

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[19] Gold 400,000

sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Cover versions

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

References
  1. "David Gray - White Ladder (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  2. "David Gray White Ladder Japan Promo CD ALBUM (222673)". Eil.com. 2002-08-29. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  4. "David Gray Babylon USA Promo 5" CD SINGLE (174169)". Eil.com. 2001-01-02. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  5. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  6. "Offiziellecharts.de – David Gray – Babylon". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  7. "Irish-charts.com – Discography David Gray". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  8. "Dutchcharts.nl – David Gray – Babylon" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  9. "Charts.nz – David Gray – Babylon". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  10. "Notowanie nr987-988" (in Polish). LP3. 5 January 2001. Archived from the original on 27 July 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  11. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  12. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  13. "David Gray Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  14. "David Gray Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard.
  15. "David Gray Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  16. "David Gray Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  17. "David Gray Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
  18. "David Gray Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  19. "British single certifications – David Gray – Babylon". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 November 2018. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Babylon in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
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