Day eventually signed a recording contract with major label Epic Records in 2002 and has since re-released his debut as well as producing a follow up, Stop All The World Now. Despite initially sluggish sales, Stop All The World Now was certified gold in early 2005 and has produced a number of singles, including "Collide", Day's most successful to date, and the hit "She Says". The track became Epic Records’ first platinum single, eventually selling 1.5 million downloads.
After a five year tour before the release of Stop All The World Now followed by a three year tour, Day took some time off and focused on writing music. Since then Day released his Be There EP in May 2009 which will be followed by Sound The Alarm in September 2009.
Stop All the World Now (2003–2008)
After the EP's release, Day relocated to London, England to record Australia's follow up, which was provisionally titled From a Northern Sky. The album, which would eventually become Stop All The World Now, was recorded in London's famous Olympic Studios with Martin "Youth" Glover, the bassist for British band Killing Joke, whose previous production credits included The Verve's Urban Hymns, one of Howie's favorite albums.
While certain tracks on Australia had featured session musicians, Stop All The World Now saw Howie joined for the first time by a permanent backing band, consisting of multi-instrumentalist Les Hall, drummer Laurie Jenkins and ex-Verve bassist Simon Jones. In addition, the majority of the album's songs were co-written with either Better than Ezra frontman Kevin Griffin or Jump Little Children's Jay Clifford.
A full band tour to promote Stop All the World Now began on September 27, 2003. Due to other commitments, Simon Jones was unable to tour with the group and was replaced by Jeremy Curtis. The album was released one week and three days later on October 7 to tepid critical reactions. Rolling Stone's Pat Blashill referred to Stop as "not bad" but "indistinct", but Popmatters' Devon Powers noted that though Australia had been an album one falls for passionately, "Stop All the World Now is an album you have a crush on, not one you fall deeply, complexly, and foolishly in love with. And crushes have a way of disappearing suddenly, without a trace."Stop
Sales of Stop were initially sluggish, but slowly began to rise beginning in late 2004 with the single release of ballad "Collide", which became a popular radio hit and was featured on TV shows such as Scrubs, Grey's Anatomy, Bones, and One Tree Hill as well as soundtracking a promotional trailer for the 2005 film adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Stop was finally certified gold in early 2005. Fan favourite "She Says", which was first released on 1998's White EP, was released as a follow-up to "Collide", although as of 2006 it has not achieved the same success, it became a mid-level hit.
Boosted by the slow burning success of Stop All the World Now, Epic released the Live From... EP on December 6, 2005. The 7-track EP contains live renditions of songs from Australia and Stop All the World Now as well as a cover of Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over". The EP has not been widely reviewed, though Allmusic referred to the release as "holiday market product," "tepid", and "directionless".
Sound The Alarm (2009)
Howie Day released his third full length, "Sound The Alarm", under the Epic music label on September 8, 2009. After an extensive tour schedule following the release of "Stop All The World Now", Day decided to take some time off, during which he sorted through his emotions by writing songs, many of which have made their way onto Sound the Alarm. “I toured for five years straight before Stop All The World Now came out, then for three years non-stop after it was released," Day says.
To get his desired range of sounds and moods, Day recorded in a variety of locations, including Los Angeles, New York, London, Minneapolis, and Bloomington, Indiana, between the spring of 2006 and fall of 2008. He also collaborated with several musicians and producers, including Martin Terefe (Jason Mraz, KT Tunstall), Mike Denneen (Aimee Mann, Fountains of Wayne), Mike Flynn (The Fray, Augustana), Warren Huart (The Fray, Augustana, Better Than Ezra]) and Better Than Ezra frontman Kevin Griffin — each one of them an expert in pulling superlative performances out of the artists they work with.
babylon
Howie Day 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
Well looking back on time
You know it's clear that I've been blind
I've been a fool
To open up my heart
Saturday and I'm running wild
And all the lights are changing red to green
Moving through the crowd 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
Well, 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
Feel it now
Babylon, Babylon
Sunday all the lights of London
Shining sky is fading red to blue
I'm 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
Well, 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
Let go of your heart
Let go of your head
And feel it now
Babylon, Babylon, Babylon, Babylon
Howie Day's "Babylon" is a song about reflection and the mistakes made in love. The lyrics detail the singer's struggle to come to terms with the past and present state of his relationships. The first verse finds him alone on a Friday night, flipping through TV channels and dealing with a swirling mix of emotions. He admits to being blind to the problems in his relationships before, especially when it comes to jealously, bitterness, and ridicule.
The second verse reveals a more manic narrator as he navigates his way through a crowded Saturday night, fueled by chemicals and wishing for the person he loves to be by his side. He acknowledges the mistakes he's made and the fear he's felt to show his true feelings. The last verse contrasts the city's bright lights with the singer's loneliness and desire to find his way home. Once there, he's surprised to see the person he loves standing there, smiling. The chorus is a plea to the listener and the singer's partner to let go of their hearts and heads and feel the love that's always been there.
The song has a hopeful message, but it's also a call to action. It's about letting go of the past's mistakes and opening oneself up to love again. The song's timeless lyrics and sweeping melodies have made it a classic, and it remains a fan-favorite to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Friday night I'm going nowhere
I have nowhere to go and nothing to do on Friday night.
All the lights are changing green to red
The streetlights are changing from green to red, indicating to drivers to stop their cars.
Turning over TV stations
I am changing the channel on the TV.
Situations running through my head
I am thinking about different situations that may occur in my life.
Well looking back on time
When I think about my past experiences.
You know it's clear that I've been blind
I now realize that I was not seeing things clearly in the past.
I've been a fool
I have made mistakes in the past.
To open up my heart
To be vulnerable and express my emotions.
To all that jealousy, that bitterness, that ridicule
To those negative emotions that made me feel insecure about expressing myself.
Saturday and I'm running wild
On Saturday, I am having a good time and acting carefree.
And all the lights are changing red to green
The streetlights are changing from red to green, indicating to drivers to start their cars.
Moving through the crowd I'm pushing
Pushing my way through the crowded area.
Chemicals are rushing in my bloodstream
Experiencing an adrenaline rush that makes me feel energized.
Only wish that you were here
I wish you were here with me to enjoy this moment.
You know I'm seeing it so clear
I now realize that I have strong feelings for you.
I've been afraid
I have been scared to express my true feelings to you.
To show you how I really feel
To let you know my genuine emotions without hiding them.
Admit to some of those bad mistakes I've made
To confess to the mistakes that I made in the past.
Well, If you want it
If you desire it, take it.
Come and get it
Take the love that I am offering.
Crying out loud
Yelling and begging for you to take the love that I am offering.
The love that I was
The love that I have always had for you.
Giving you was
It has always been available for you to receive.
Never in doubt
I have always been sure of my love for you.
Let go of your heart
Do not let your emotions cloud your judgment.
Let go of your head
Stop overthinking and analyze with a clear mind.
And feel it now
Experience the love and emotions that are present right now.
Babylon, Babylon
Referencing a city in ancient Mesopotamia that represents the idea of a lost civilization.
Sunday all the lights of London
The streetlights are lit up on Sunday evening in London.
Shining sky is fading red to blue
The sky is transitioning from red to blue as the sun sets.
I'm kicking through the Autumn leaves
I am walking through a pile of leaves on the ground during Fall.
And wondering where it is you might be going to
I am thinking about your future and where you may be headed in life.
Turning back for home
Heading back home.
You know I'm feeling so alone
I am feeling lonely and sad.
I can't believe
I am surprised and cannot fathom what I am seeing.
Climbing on the stair
Walking up the stairs to my home.
I turn around to see you smiling there
To see you standing there with a smile on your face.
In front of me
Directly in front of me.
Contributed by Bentley H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Provost
He's very, very talented singer. I like the original version of this song, too.
WackyChick21
I love that you have video of this! I was there and I remember it being a really, really good show.
Protector of the Realm, Preston Vaughan
Long LIve Howie Day.
Mouse Gipson
David gray sounds good closed enought