1) a Br… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists by the name of David Gray, including:
1) a British singer-songwriter
2) an Italian disco musician
3) an American singer-songwriter
4) drummer for the British blackened death metal band Akercocke
5) a musician from South Africa
6) a British classical hornist
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1) David Gray is a British singer-songwriter born on June 13, 1968 in Sale, United Kingdom. He released his first studio album in 1993 and received worldwide attention after the release of White Ladder six years later in 1999.
Gray moved to Wales at age 9 and later returned to the north-west of England to attend the University of Liverpool. His musical career got early support from a dedicated Irish fan base. After a few marginally-successful releases through the 1990s, Gray's breakthrough came with the worldwide release in 1999 of his fourth album, White Ladder; this was a critical and commercial success and included his best-known songs, "This Years Love" and "Babylon". In the United States, the album received a boost from jam-band leader Dave Matthews, who made it the first release by the record company he co-founded, ATO Records.
On August 11, 2001 White Ladder at last reached the top of the UK charts, having been selling steadily since its reissue the previous May, thereby setting a new record for the longest uninterrupted climb to No. 1. The follow-up, A New Day At Midnight, also hit No. 1, and Gray's seventh album, Life in Slow Motion was released on September 12, 2005.
Gray's early music was in a contemporary folk-rock, singer-songwriter mode; his primary instrument was acoustic guitar, with occasional piano. 1996's Sell Sell Sell featured some rock arrangements and electric instrumentation. Starting with the release of White Ladder in 1999, Gray began to make significant use of computer-generated music to accompany his voice and acoustic instrumentation, a technique which differentiates him from many of his peers. Despite the move to more complex music, Gray has used small-scale, often home-based, recording methods and equipment and espoused a "do it yourself" approach to music production. However, Life in Slow Motion is a collaboration with noted producer Marius De Vries.
David Gray's brothers-in-law are Paul and Phillip Hartnoll, formerly of the Techno/Rave band Orbital. Because of this relationship, Gray performed guest vocals on the Orbital single Illuminate, while Paul Hartnoll produced a breakbeat remix of Gray's song "Please Forgive Me".
His successful single "January Rain" was included in the original soundtrack of the movie Serendipity, starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale.
Pictures and additional information can be found on his website, www.DavidGray.com.
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2) David Gray was an Italian disco musician who had a hit with "Dead in the Water"
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3) David Gray is an American singer-songwriter
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4) David Gray is drummer for the British blackened death metal band Akercocke
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5) David Gray is a musician from South Africa
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6) British classical hornist, originally from London, England, UK, residing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Studied at the Curtis Institute Of Music. Former Principal Horn with The London Symphony Orchestra (1964-1972). Member of The Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra.
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 singer 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 singer 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 singer 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 singer 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
@oktoberina
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. ❤
@nishbrown
Thank you, Matt McCusker for reminding me of this gem.
@jordandunne5292
Brother, I knew the shaman wouldn't lead me here alone! God bless!
@jaydeatts
the shaman would never mislead us
@JDAWG9162
Took a David Gray deep dive when I heard Matt mention him.
My personal favorite so far is “Lead Me Upstairs.”
Shoutout to all the DAWGZ.
@arlovisuals
That"s how i got here!
@dollabill167
Haha same I couldn't remember who sung "this years love" for years till Matt brought him up 😂😂
@kennygr8ify
David Gray is ridiculously underrated!
@davida.quinnsr.8847
They play him on KOST now!
@anthonymarsden8708
100%
@johnmc3862
He’s isn’t underrated one bit!