Babylon
David Gray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
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 seeing it so clear
I've been afraid
To show you 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 of your heart
Let go of your head
And feel it now
Let go of your heart
Let go of your head
And feel it now
Babylon, Babylon, Babylon
Sunday, all the lights of London shining
Sky is fading red to blue
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
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 of your heart
Let go of your head
And feel it now
Let go of your heart
Let go of your head
And feel it now
Let go of your heart
Let go of your head
And feel it now
Let go of your heart
Let go of your head
And feel it now
Babylon, Babylon, Babylon, Babylon, Babylon
Ah
David Gray’s song “Babylon” is a reflection on the ups and downs of a romantic relationship. The narrator is filled with regret over past mistakes and missed opportunities in the first verse, contemplating how he’s been blind to the problems that have arisen in his relationship. Despite being “jealous” and “bitter,” he was still willing to give his heart to someone who couldn’t appreciate it. The second verse sees a shift, as the narrator is running wild and high on “chemicals rushing in [his] bloodstream.” He’s seeing things more clearly and finally admitting how he feels— that he’s made mistakes but is willing to let go and take a chance on love. By the time the final verse is reached, the narrator is seeing the beauty of the world around him, but still feeling alone in his thoughts. However, he’s met with a beautiful surprise as he returns home, seeing the one he loves waiting for him.
The chorus repeats over and over, almost like a mantra, as the narrator tries to convince himself to let go of his fears and doubts and truly feel love. The repeated refrain “Let go of your heart, let go of your head and feel it now” is both a plea and a command, as if he’s trying to give himself permission to experience the emotions he’s felt too scared to express. Overall, “Babylon” is a beautiful song about the complexities of relationships and the importance of taking chances and letting oneself be vulnerable.
Line by Line Meaning
Friday night, I'm going nowhere
I'm feeling unfulfilled and aimless on this Friday night.
All the lights are changing green to red
The world around me feels like it's constantly changing and is unpredictable.
Turning over TV stations
Trying to distract myself by flipping through channels on TV.
Situations running through my head
I can't stop thinking about different scenarios and possibilities in my mind.
Looking back through time
Reflecting on my past.
You know it's clear that I've been blind, I've been a fool
I'm recognizing that I made mistakes in my past that I wasn't aware of.
To open up my heart to all that jealousy
I allowed myself to become jealous of others and let that negative emotion influence my actions.
That bitterness, that ridicule
I also allowed bitterness and mocking behavior to affect me and my relationships with others.
Saturday, I'm running wild
On Saturday, I'm feeling free and uninhibited.
And all the lights are changing red to green
The world around me still seems unpredictable, but I'm approaching it with a different, more positive attitude.
Moving through the crowds I'm pushing
I'm feeling confident and assertive as I move through the people around me.
Chemicals are rushing in my bloodstream
I'm feeling a physical and emotional rush of adrenaline.
Only wish that you were here
I wish I had someone to share this feeling with.
You know I'm seeing it so clear
I'm experiencing a newfound clarity about my life and my feelings.
I've been afraid
I've been hesitant to express my true emotions.
To show you how I really feel
I haven't been honest with someone about how I feel about them or our relationship.
Admit to some of those bad mistakes I've made
I need to take ownership of the mistakes I've made in the past and apologize for them.
And if you want it
If you're interested in exploring things further.
Come and get it
Take the initiative to pursue a relationship with me.
Crying out loud
I need you to hear me and understand how I feel.
The love that I was
I was always in love with you.
Giving you was
My love for you was never in question, it was always there.
Never in doubt
I never questioned how I felt about you.
Let go of your heart
Stop guarding your heart and let down your walls.
Let go of your head
Stop overthinking everything and go with your heart.
And feel it now
Experience the emotions and feelings you've been holding back.
Sunday, all the lights of London shining
On Sunday, everything feels bright and beautiful in London.
Sky is fading red to blue
The day is transitioning from sunset to nightfall.
Kicking through the autumn leaves
Walking through leaves and feeling the change in seasons around me.
And wondering where it is you might be going to
Thinking about where someone I care about might be in life.
Turning back for home
Heading back to where I started.
You know I'm feeling so alone
Feeling lonely and longing for companionship.
I can't believe
I feel surprised and overwhelmed.
Climbing on the stair
Heading up the stairs.
I turn around to see you smiling there
I see someone I care about smiling at me.
In front of me
Right there in front of me is someone who makes me happy.
Babylon, Babylon, Babylon, Babylon, Babylon
The chorus repeats the word Babylon to remind us of the chaotic feeling of the world around us that we aim to overcome.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: David Gray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
OMG123
Yeah it came out in like 1999 or 2000.
I had a basset hound named Elvis at the time and any time this song/video would come on he would come running From wherever he was and stand in front of the TV and bark his head off until it was over.
It was hilarious. 🤣
I don’t know what it was about this song but it’s the only one he ever did that to.
So of course I think of him any time I hear this song.
But it’s a great song from a GREAT album and I highly recommend you checking out the rest of this album for sure.
It’s absolutely fantastic.
Glad you found it after looking for it for so long. I know what that’s like and it can be maddening! 😜
Seriously…check out the whole album.
You won’t be disappointed. ❤
G. Master
Lyrics
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
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 of your heart
Let go of your head
And feel it now
Babylon, Babylon
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 show 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
Let go of your heart
Let go of your head
And feel it now
Babylon, Babylon
Sunday all the lights of London
Shining, Sky is fading red to blue
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
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 of your heart
Let go of your head
And feel it now
Let go of your heart
Let go of your head
And feel it now
Let go of your heart
Let go of your head
And feel it now
Let go of your heart
Let go of your head
And feel it now
Babylon, Babylon
Source: George Conrad
Nick Emery
I remember in my late teens sitting in a stolen car with two of my childhood friends, in a car park taking heroin… this song came on the radio and we all paused in a moment of life evaluation… for those 2 minutes we shared this song and a magical moment. my two friends are no longer here… yet my life has ended up really good, great job, home, and a family that love me… I’m 40 years old on Sunday, I consider myself very lucky!
Ségolène Gaschignard
You really are 😘
Daniel Kaufman
Sounds like you were born in 1982 like I was. I turned 40 back on May 29th. When this song came out you were 18 and I was 18 since the song came out around late 2000. I remember hearing this song in the Fall of 2000, was my first quarter in community college. Sorry to hear about your friends, what happened to them? Im glad in end your life turned out for the good.
Nick Emery
@Daniel Kaufman yes I was born in 1982, One got killed in an accident at work, the company tried to blame him being on drugs but it was found that they were in breach of health and safety. The other tried to take a short cut over a railway line and his coat got caught on the fence and it strangled him 😕 he was homeless and really fucked up at the time.
Nick Emery
@Daniel Kaufman and thanks 😊
Henrik Edvardsson
Well, I´m sorry. Sorry for those you stole from and all the people youve harmed.
ken karwoski
David Gray is ridiculously underrated!
David A. Quinn, Sr.
They play him on KOST now!
Anthony Marsden
100%
John Mc
He’s isn’t underrated one bit!