Jas Mann had formerly been in an indie music band, called The Sandkings, which he left in 1992, because of musical differences.
Babylon Zoo was signed to Phonogram Records after A&R rep Clive Black heard their first three-track demo tape in May 1993. When Black moved to Warner Bros. Records in 1993, he took Mann's contract with him. An album had been prepared and sleeves for a single, "Fire Guided Light", were printed, but Babylon Zoo's debut was put on hold again when Black moved once more to EMI in 1995, where the band were signed on to a seven-album contract.
However, promotional copies of the song "Spaceman" had already been distributed, and chosen to tie in with the release of a new Levi's jeans TV advert. The single went straight to Number 1 on the UK singles chart and also went to Number 1 in the single charts in twenty-three countries.
An album entitled The Boy with the X-Ray Eyes was produced at Mann's New Atlantis Productions music/artwork/video centre. It was released in 1996 and included new-age tracks such as "Is Your Soul for Sale?" and "I'm Cracking Up I Need a Pill". It debuted at #6 on the album charts and reached the Top 20 in 17 countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
In 1997, Jas Mann was lampooned on the channel 4 TV series, Brass Eye.
Three years later, in 1999, a follow-up album was released entitled King Kong Groover, but Mann decided not to promote the album as he was not getting support from his label EMI since the departure of the man who had signed him, Clive Black. Mann subsequently decided to move to India and work for an aid agency.
Years active 1992–2000
Is Your Soul for Sale?
Babylon Zoo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the Christmas we spent yesterday,
When we danced the night away
All my make-up it ran,
And caused our love to fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away
Oh London town is burning
And the mice and men are running
But nothing, oh nothing can tear us apart
London town is burning
and the New York lights are laughing,
But nothing oh nothing can tear us apart
Is your soul for sale
Is your soul for sale
All those simple songs we sang,
Are the same songs we sang yesterday
When we danced the night away,
All my make-up it ran,
And caused our love to fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away
Is your soul for sale
Is your soul for sale
Painters paint to spite us
Love isn't love
When lies divide us
london town is burning
And the men and mice are running
But nothing, oh nothing can tear us apart London town is burning
And the New York lights are laughing,
But nothing oh Nothing can tear us apart
London town is burning
And the men and mice are running
But nothing oh nothing can tear us apart
London town is burning
And the New York lights are laughing
but nothing oh nothing can tear us apart
The song "Is Your Soul for Sale?" by Babylon Zoo seems to be about an old flame and remembering the good times spent together. The lyrics describe memories of simple songs that were sang in the past, as well as a nostalgic reference to Christmas. The singer alludes to a past love that didn't work out and how makeup running caused "our love to fade away." However, despite the struggles and chaos in the world, the singer feels as if nothing can tear them apart.
The song speaks to the idea that love can endure through trying times and that the singer is willing to hold on to these memories and emotions even though they may no longer be viable. The repeated phrase "Is your soul for sale?" seems to be the central question of the song, and perhaps refers to how people often sell their souls for love or success.
Overall, "Is Your Soul for Sale?" is a reflective, melancholy song that explores the emotions and memories that come with past relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
All those simple songs we sang
We used to sing simple songs together
And the Christmas we spent yesterday,
We spent Christmas together, but it's now in the past
When we danced the night away
We had a fun time dancing together
All my make-up it ran
My makeup caused problems in our relationship
And caused our love to fade away
Our love for each other has diminished
Oh London town is burning
The city of London is in chaos
And the mice and men are running
People and animals alike are trying to escape the danger
But nothing, oh nothing can tear us apart
Even with everything going wrong, we will stay together
Is your soul for sale
Are you willing to sacrifice your true self for something else?
Painters paint to spite us
Other people may try to harm our relationship
Love isn't love
Real love should not be based on falsehoods
When lies divide us
Lies can damage a relationship
And the New York lights are laughing
New York is thriving despite London's troubles
But nothing oh Nothing can tear us apart
Our bond is too strong to be broken by external factors
We fade away
Our connection to each other is weakening
Contributed by Hannah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Francesco Ierv.
All those simple songs we sang
And the Christmas we spent yesterday,
When we danced the night away
All my make-up it ran,
And caused our love to fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away
Oh London town is burning
And the mice and men are running
But nothing, oh nothing can tear us apart
London town is burning
and the New York lights are laughing,
But nothing oh nothing can tear us apart
Is your soul for sale
Is your soul for sale
All those simple songs we sang,
Are the same songs we sang yesterday
When we danced the night away,
All my make-up it ran,
And caused our love to fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away
Is your soul for sale
Is your soul for sale
Painters paint to spite us
Love isn't love
When lies…
Avi Levkovich
i can never understand why they failed to be more than a one hit wonder. they were great
VicVanProphet
they didnt fail . jass mann decided to quit.. simple
VicVanProphet
@Alan Heyes מה נשמע אבי הם לא נכשלו הוא ויתר
Alan Heyes
Avi L. It's a mystery.
Francesco Ierv.
All those simple songs we sang
And the Christmas we spent yesterday,
When we danced the night away
All my make-up it ran,
And caused our love to fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away
Oh London town is burning
And the mice and men are running
But nothing, oh nothing can tear us apart
London town is burning
and the New York lights are laughing,
But nothing oh nothing can tear us apart
Is your soul for sale
Is your soul for sale
All those simple songs we sang,
Are the same songs we sang yesterday
When we danced the night away,
All my make-up it ran,
And caused our love to fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away,
We fade away
Is your soul for sale
Is your soul for sale
Painters paint to spite us
Love isn't love
When lies…
Toma Cristian
20 years later and still love this song..I would love to meet Jasbinder one day and ask him for an autograph and talk about life.
Amanda Ryan
I got his autograph :)))
Matt Scants
Toma Cristian same my friend
Jud Winter
had he released this as a 2nd single i doubt he would be considered a 1 hit wonder by the media, i really love this band especially this song, i think i might to a cover of it one day.
james jackson
We need a Deluxe remastered edition urgently please.