David Gray — Babylon
Album: White LadderAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 3116
Length: 4:22
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Friday night, I'm going nowhere
All the lights are changing, green to red.
Turning over TV stations
Situations running through my head.
Looking back through time, you know
It's clear that I've been blind; I've been a fool.
To 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 crowds, I'm pushing.
Chemicals are rushing in my bloodstream.
Only wish that you were here
You know I'm seein' it so clear-I've been afraid
To show ya how I really feel
Admit to some of those bad mistakes I've made
And 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
Let go your heart, let go your head
And feel it now
Babylon
Babylon
Babylon
Sunday all the lights in London shining
Sky is fading, red to blue.
Kickin' 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
Climbin' on the stair
I turn around to see you smiling there
in front of me
And 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
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
Babylon
Babylon...aaaah
All the lights are changing, green to red.
Turning over TV stations
Situations running through my head.
Looking back through time, you know
It's clear that I've been blind; I've been a fool.
To 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 crowds, I'm pushing.
Chemicals are rushing in my bloodstream.
Only wish that you were here
You know I'm seein' it so clear-I've been afraid
To show ya how I really feel
Admit to some of those bad mistakes I've made
And 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
Let go your heart, let go your head
And feel it now
Babylon
Babylon
Babylon
Sunday all the lights in London shining
Sky is fading, red to blue.
Kickin' 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
Climbin' on the stair
I turn around to see you smiling there
in front of me
And 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
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
Babylon
Babylon...aaaah
Comments (198)add comment
My God! Hearing this song, I’m 27 again, living in Nashville. Crazy how having a track surface randomly can create time travel.
A personal 9 for me. The song transports me back over 20 years ago to when I met my now wife, heard this song, and imagined a beautiful life with her.
GarrySR07 wrote:
In Scotland it only rains on specials days and these are Monday thru Sunday!
Seattle, Washington celebrates these same holy days in much the same way.
In Scotland it only rains on specials days and these are Monday thru Sunday!
Seattle, Washington celebrates these same holy days in much the same way.
mach-hog wrote:
In Scotland it only rains on specials days and these are Monday thru Sunday!
West Vancouver. Off the Lion’s Gate Bridge, west bound on Marine Drive. Rain. Always rain. Outside the autumn smell of decaying leaves. Lights. Windshield drops. Headlights. October light. Babylon.
In Scotland it only rains on specials days and these are Monday thru Sunday!
Nice. After hearing this every third song on shyte radio I was over it no matter the beautiful parts. The break and switching to RP bring them back. A simple tune but the experience is more than the sum of [its] parts.
great to hear David Gray again- it’s been too long. I really like this album.
wow, almost 25 years old. time flies
aaronm wrote:Well said!
PRO TIP: Stop listening to the radio. That way, you can evaluate a song on its merits instead of doing what you're doing.
PRO TIP: Stop listening to the radio. That way, you can evaluate a song on its merits instead of doing what you're doing.
Génial David Gray.
Hi Bill, after playing Brothers in Arms you made a comment that Russia and Ukraine should be doing something else, or something to that affect. Really? Ukraine should be doing something besides trying to save their country? I’ve been listening to RP for years and really appreciate your work, but am pretty disappointed that you seem to be suggesting that both countries are responsible for this horrific invasion.
For crying out loud...
How often do you get to hear someone say "for crying out loud'
I plan to now say it tomorrow in the grocery store, you bet
How often do you get to hear someone say "for crying out loud'
I plan to now say it tomorrow in the grocery store, you bet
Always brings me back to Windows XP
Please Forgive Me got all the love back in the day. This one's a grower not a shower.
West Vancouver. Off the Lion’s Gate Bridge, west bound on Marine Drive. Rain. Always rain. Outside the autumn smell of decaying leaves. Lights. Windshield drops. Headlights. October light. Babylon.
Still kickin’ ass, William!
aaronm wrote:
PRO TIP: Stop listening to the radio. That way, you can evaluate a song on its merits instead of doing what you're doing.
Crybabies love to cry, though.
PRO TIP: Stop listening to the radio. That way, you can evaluate a song on its merits instead of doing what you're doing.
Crybabies love to cry, though.
For cryin out loud!Look what this song made these two emojis do!
jab49 wrote:
For me it's linked to the time that in retrospect, I had the best sex of my life
Songs are linked to memories, and this one is linked to swimming to Rottnest Island - perfect cadence for my swimming stroke. Funny what floats one's boat.
For me it's linked to the time that in retrospect, I had the best sex of my life
Still sounds great and fills me with nice memories of life😂
aaronm wrote:
PRO TIP: Stop listening to the radio. That way, you can evaluate a song on its merits instead of doing what you're doing.
Stick yer Pro Tip ..how arrogant
PRO TIP: Stop listening to the radio. That way, you can evaluate a song on its merits instead of doing what you're doing.
Stick yer Pro Tip ..how arrogant
Back in the days of Paste magazine (when it was, you know, paper in the mail) they would include a sampler CD with every issue. I remember this as one of my favorites from those glorious days.
Thanks jazz man Bill and tasteful Rebecca.
Ricki Lee Jones ~ Danny’s AllStar Joint
David Gray ~ Babylon
Perfect for my late night bliss
I dips me lid to a perfect selection for my draining life right now.
Seems I’m in need of a visit to the USA to meet the masters of free music Bill & Rebecca. Please come to Australia so I can genuinely thank you my friends ❤️🙏🐾🍯🐻🧡🦋😘🐰💗👍 come say g’day mate
C'mon,
its a great, little pop song. we need this today.
its a great, little pop song. we need this today.
agree. this fucker was played to death, but that doesn't mean he's not good. if not great. sometimes kitty kats, the machine and the masses get it right. as I used to tell my deadhead pals, just because john cougar is popular doesn't mean he's not worth listening to. but i digress...
PRO TIP: Stop listening to the radio. That way, you can evaluate a song on its merits instead of doing what you're doing.
PRO TIP: Stop listening to the radio. That way, you can evaluate a song on its merits instead of doing what you're doing.
Beautiful Ten
Is this a remix? If so the added percussion and synth add precisely nothing.
Sounds like Paul Simon.
great song, great album 
wenatchee wrote:
*pssst..."enunciate". You're welcome. 6 years late though.
Goyohey *annunciate please - I still like the tune
So true eh?*pssst..."enunciate". You're welcome. 6 years late though.
I don't remember this song having all that noisy, chattery percussion running through it. Bugged the heck out of me, though.
Highlowsel wrote:
HA! That's what I love about music. It decouples the mind from the blah blah blah of your entrenched reality.
You float, mentally. And in that state it's sometimes funny what burbles to the surface as you skim along absentmindedly within your domain of Soul.
It's like reaching deep into the trunk of memory. You never know what you find there besides a whole world of dust.
Dust which can spring to life at the touch of a thought, and then proceed to stab the heart...or not. ;-)
Highlow
American Net'Zen
So true! I don't have that with this song, but ahhh what music can trigger is so awesome, it's a time travel medium imho. Free the mind and let yourself be transported! :)
HA! That's what I love about music. It decouples the mind from the blah blah blah of your entrenched reality.
You float, mentally. And in that state it's sometimes funny what burbles to the surface as you skim along absentmindedly within your domain of Soul.
It's like reaching deep into the trunk of memory. You never know what you find there besides a whole world of dust.
Dust which can spring to life at the touch of a thought, and then proceed to stab the heart...or not. ;-)
Highlow
American Net'Zen
So true! I don't have that with this song, but ahhh what music can trigger is so awesome, it's a time travel medium imho. Free the mind and let yourself be transported! :)
Grey is a gifted writer, no doubt. I can't get past the characters he creates to speak through his songs, though... As in this song, they are often really messed up people I can't relate to or empathize with. I truly hope for his sake these characters aren't him!
jab49 wrote:
HA! That's what I love about music. It decouples the mind from the blah blah blah of your entrenched reality.
You float, mentally. And in that state it's sometimes funny what burbles to the surface as you skim along absentmindedly within your domain of Soul.
It's like reaching deep into the trunk of memory. You never know what you find there besides a whole world of dust.
Dust which can spring to life at the touch of a thought, and then proceed to stab the heart...or not. ;-)
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Songs are linked to memories, and this one is linked to swimming to Rottnest Island - perfect cadence for my swimming stroke. Funny what floats one's boat.
HA! That's what I love about music. It decouples the mind from the blah blah blah of your entrenched reality.
You float, mentally. And in that state it's sometimes funny what burbles to the surface as you skim along absentmindedly within your domain of Soul.
It's like reaching deep into the trunk of memory. You never know what you find there besides a whole world of dust.
Dust which can spring to life at the touch of a thought, and then proceed to stab the heart...or not. ;-)
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Marina1 wrote:
There are scores of songs played on RP which could be considered "overplayed". This song probably hasn't had much radio play in the last 15 or so years. Look at the top-rated tunes in the RP playlist, all of them are songs which are or have been painfully overplayed. That doesn't make them "bad" songs.
Good song, but overplayed. Surprised to hear it on RP.
There are scores of songs played on RP which could be considered "overplayed". This song probably hasn't had much radio play in the last 15 or so years. Look at the top-rated tunes in the RP playlist, all of them are songs which are or have been painfully overplayed. That doesn't make them "bad" songs.
Quite likeable.
Didn't like this when it came out, still don't like it now. Bleagh.
This brings back a flood of memories. Bittersweet, a wonderful song.
Songs are linked to memories, and this one is linked to swimming to Rottnest Island - perfect cadence for my swimming stroke. Funny what floats one's boat.
Jmr1371 wrote:
PRO TIP: Stop listening to the radio. That way, you can evaluate a song on its merits instead of doing what you're doing.
zenhead wrote:
Totally agree. Overplayed on the radio and now it finds us here.
yawn. didn't we hear this enough on the radio?
Totally agree. Overplayed on the radio and now it finds us here.
PRO TIP: Stop listening to the radio. That way, you can evaluate a song on its merits instead of doing what you're doing.
A-Basin might be lost on most. Assuming the A is Arapahoe, I got it. :)
There is a cool groove to this song.
unclehud wrote:
There is a cool groove to this song.
unclehud wrote:
Well, I've enjoyed this song since I heard it 5 times in a row, in an otherwise silent car, on the way back from a fabulous day at A-Basin. (My buddy claimed it was the best song ever).
STINGRAY!!! We all would like to hear about your ex! No kidding. Remember, life has a way of making things equal out as time goes by.
What a breath of fresh air. This was an amazing album and it still sounds great today. Saw 'old bobblehead' in concert a couple of times, and he sure gets the crowd going.
Well, I've enjoyed this song since I heard it 5 times in a row, in an otherwise silent car, on the way back from a fabulous day at A-Basin. (My buddy claimed it was the best song ever).
STINGRAY!!! We all would like to hear about your ex! No kidding. Remember, life has a way of making things equal out as time goes by.
was overplayed, but hey, it's been a l-o-n-g time since i've heard this, and i am glad to hear it again
zenhead wrote:
Totally agree. Overplayed on the radio and now it finds us here.
yawn. didn't we hear this enough on the radio?
Totally agree. Overplayed on the radio and now it finds us here.
Ahhhhhh, the memories, with a girl, in a city, more than one city, holding tight, seems a lifetime but not that many years ago.
jktravl wrote:
Iceland is one country I need to get back to. Wonder if I could retire there
See you there in about 15 years!
Iceland is one country I need to get back to. Wonder if I could retire there
See you there in about 15 years!
Reminds of a time right after divorcing and subsequently falling in love again. 8 for the memories.
yawn. didn't we hear this enough on the radio?
Fortunately David Gray's never played where I live (that I've heard). He's great in small doses IMHO.
What? Some people don't like him?
What? Some people don't like him?
kcar wrote:
Tell us more, Stingray. This sounds intriguing. Just don't use ALL CAPS AND ! .
Yes, do tell....stories about ex-es can be very entertaining.
Tell us more, Stingray. This sounds intriguing. Just don't use ALL CAPS AND ! .
Yes, do tell....stories about ex-es can be very entertaining.
Grammarcop wrote:
Iceland is one country I need to get back to. Wonder if I could retire there
I'll admit I'm fond of this song for nostalgic reasons: I heard it on the radio in Reykjavik, Iceland. What an amazing trip!
Iceland is one country I need to get back to. Wonder if I could retire there
My thoughtful comment
Petty bourgeois sentimentality....burn it....lol just kidding.....
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked... love this song...
I like David Gray. He can bring good feelings only with his voice, piano and guitar.
kkkkatie wrote:
I musta been unconscious. First listening. Enough for now.
this song was so overplayed back then...i'm still tired of it.
I musta been unconscious. First listening. Enough for now.
Stingray wrote:
My "Fat Ex" loved Gray - one more reason to hate him!
Tell us more, Stingray. This sounds intriguing. Just don't use ALL CAPS AND ! .
My "Fat Ex" loved Gray - one more reason to hate him!
Tell us more, Stingray. This sounds intriguing. Just don't use ALL CAPS AND ! .
funkyalfonso wrote:
It has some similar chord embellishments (i.e. hammer-ons, pull-offs) in parts of the strumming (as do lots of other songs), but the chords do not sound alike to me. I can hear how the strumming/picking style could remind someone of "Ventura Highway", though.
Why am I hearing "Ventura Highway" to this crap song?
It has some similar chord embellishments (i.e. hammer-ons, pull-offs) in parts of the strumming (as do lots of other songs), but the chords do not sound alike to me. I can hear how the strumming/picking style could remind someone of "Ventura Highway", though.
Goyahey - Babylon and on and on for cryin oulouuud! Nice for a quick pop tune!
Everybody in my church loves this song...
funkyalfonso wrote:
TOTALLY hear it too.
Why am I hearing "Ventura Highway" to this crap song?
TOTALLY hear it too.
this song was so overplayed back then...i'm still tired of it.
Sadly it's annoying to me. I do like the music...wish David would just hum or something.
Not a massive fan of David Gray but this is his best track and it's nice to have a pop song every now and then. Cheers Bill. Greetings from England!
Great song from an under rated artist.
sirdroseph wrote:
I like him ass well.
I know everyone hates him, but I am not one of those. I like David Gray.
I like him ass well.
Memories....nice song
I think Boy and Bear sounds like David Gray.
funkyalfonso wrote:
Oh dear that sounds serious... I suggest seeing a hearing specialist.
Why am I hearing "Ventura Highway" to this crap song?
Oh dear that sounds serious... I suggest seeing a hearing specialist.
This song reminds me of a girl I used to date who lived out in Babylon, very nice memories.
Canlistener wrote:
This song hasn't gotten any better with time.
AgreedFirst time I heard this song was in a Warren Miller ski movie years ago. Then, I heard it over and over and over again as it got overplayed on the radio.
However, it is nice to hear again after a few years.
However, it is nice to hear again after a few years.
Love this song! Takes away the blues.
I do like this tune.
Ahhhh, great to hear this song again on RP!
I'll admit I'm fond of this song for nostalgic reasons: I heard it on the radio in Reykjavik, Iceland. What an amazing trip!
Bosami wrote:
+1 on this. Live At The Point is an outstanding concert DVD. Saw David Gray live a few years back....he knows how to get a crowd going.
I would imagine that many of the negative comments are from North Americans who have only heard Babylon, and heard it a thousand times. He is immensely more popular in Europe. Much like his countryman, Chris Rea.
Anyway, I like Dave - good songwriter, good singer, GREAT performer.
This is a great song - however - the live version (Live at the Point DVD) is FAR superior to this rather weakly produced version.
I highly recommend that DVD - solid perfomance of a great singer/songwriter at the peak of his going from relative obscurity to the world stage.
I highly recommend that DVD - solid perfomance of a great singer/songwriter at the peak of his going from relative obscurity to the world stage.
+1 on this. Live At The Point is an outstanding concert DVD. Saw David Gray live a few years back....he knows how to get a crowd going.
I would imagine that many of the negative comments are from North Americans who have only heard Babylon, and heard it a thousand times. He is immensely more popular in Europe. Much like his countryman, Chris Rea.
Anyway, I like Dave - good songwriter, good singer, GREAT performer.
Aw, for crying out loud... is it really that bad? Heh.
Wanky, for sure.
Wanky, for sure.
I know everyone hates him, but I am not one of those. I like David Gray.
Why am I hearing "Ventura Highway" to this crap song?
Canlistener wrote:
My "Fat Ex" loved Gray - one more reason to hate him!
This song hasn't gotten any better with time.
My "Fat Ex" loved Gray - one more reason to hate him!
This song hasn't gotten any better with time.
nalle wrote:
Hi RT, back again!
. . . and for the heart . . . always makes me smile.
Hi RT, back again!
. . . and for the heart . . . always makes me smile.
scraig wrote:
I saw them both perform at the Santa Fe Opera House and I thought the very same thing! Why is Ray the opening act? It was, in any case, a killer concert!
I like the song and David Gray, just not sure why Ray LaMontagne is opening for him and not the other way around.
I saw them both perform at the Santa Fe Opera House and I thought the very same thing! Why is Ray the opening act? It was, in any case, a killer concert!
Overplayed but still works
I can't help it - I've heard this song so many times on our limited radio capacity, and i still love it. 
I like the song and David Gray, just not sure why Ray LaMontagne is opening for him and not the other way around.
romeotuma wrote:
This song is good for the ears...
Hi RT, back again!
This song is good for the ears...
Hi RT, back again!
This is a great song - however - the live version (Live at the Point DVD) is FAR superior to this rather weakly produced version.
I highly recommend that DVD - solid perfomance of a great singer/songwriter at the peak of his going from relative obscurity to the world stage.
I highly recommend that DVD - solid perfomance of a great singer/songwriter at the peak of his going from relative obscurity to the world stage.
Babble on.
Goyohey *annunciate please - I still like the tune
Love, love, love David Grey. My most favorite is "Flame turns Blue" from the Lost Songs album. I love the imagery & sentiment.
jlind wrote:
Remind me not to buy a computer from CompUSA where apparently the staff are unfamiliar with how to operate a CD drive.
Oh great song too.
This isn't a bad song, unfortunately it was the only song included on the original version of Windows XP so when I was selling computers for CompUSA when ever I needed to demo speakers this is what got played, which meant I heard it like 100 times a day :(
Remind me not to buy a computer from CompUSA where apparently the staff are unfamiliar with how to operate a CD drive.
Oh great song too.
I love the imagery.
Bland, bland, bland.
Boston_Ed wrote:
I totally agree with that.
Me too...
I totally agree with that.
Me too...
Wonderful - thanks for playing this little gem again, Bill ! 
Dragonfly_Launch wrote:
No, it's wrong not to...
I used to not like David Gray until he came out with White Ladder, then he became a sort of musical demi-god for me, which was weird, considering how much I used to dislike him. White Ladder is, for me, one of the greatest albums of the past... maybe 10 years? But I could say that about something like 30 albums. Oh, are they called albums anymore? *Age showing*
Is it wrong? Is it wrong to like David?
No, it's wrong not to...
I used to not like David Gray until he came out with White Ladder, then he became a sort of musical demi-god for me, which was weird, considering how much I used to dislike him. White Ladder is, for me, one of the greatest albums of the past... maybe 10 years? But I could say that about something like 30 albums. Oh, are they called albums anymore? *Age showing*
Is it wrong? Is it wrong to like David?
I thought this was Ryan Adams.
This isn't a bad song, unfortunately it was the only song included on the original version of Windows XP so when I was selling computers for CompUSA when ever I needed to demo speakers this is what got played, which meant I heard it like 100 times a day :(
MsJudi wrote:
Oh, this is nice.
Yea, that's a good way to describe it. I like it.
Oh, this is nice.
Yeah, good to hear this song again. It's been a while!
yorch wrote:
Thank god this seems to have moved on from endless radio play to timeless hit. Glad I haven't heard it in a long while and can appreciate it again.
I'd like to move to wherever you are, because it's still overplayed on the radio here. Although I've never liked this song so maybe I'm overly sensitive.
This would be a better song if it wasn't the only mp3 included with Windows XP. So when I worked at CompUSA when ever I wanted to demonstrate sound, well this was it. *sigh*
yorch wrote:
Thank god this seems to have moved on from endless radio play to timeless hit. Glad I haven't heard it in a long while and can appreciate it again.
I totally agree with that.
Thank god this seems to have moved on from endless radio play to timeless hit. Glad I haven't heard it in a long while and can appreciate it again.
lixy wrote:
Am I the only one to hear a riff by America in here?
totally. Ventura Highway. Thank god it's not them.
Am I the only one to hear a riff by America in here?
atoponce wrote:
Good song. I'd like to see more from David Gray though, other than just Babylon.
Me too, although I think this is a great song, from a great album!
Good song. I'd like to see more from David Gray though, other than just Babylon.
This song brings back one of the most horrible times in my life, but I still love it.
Thank you, nice to hear Mr.Gray again. This album is up there on my "Top Ten All-Time"-Records.
People who are fed up with this song are tipping their hand...clearly they listen to too much FM radio.
drtjdel wrote:
She became a vagitarian? 
Don't you mean vaginarian?
Far more relevant: at first I didn't like his voice, but it grew on me. He did a great acoustic version together with Damien Rice during Live Earth London
Good song, but overplayed. Surprised to hear it on RP.
Great song, awesome CD. Memories...good & bad.