Taylor's life took an unusual turn in 1979 when he was first of the 100 chosen, from 20,000 applicants, to spend the summer at John Davidson's summer camp. At the camp, Taylor spent time learning from singers like Tony Orlando, Florence Henderson, and John Davidson. Also that year, Taylor heard one of his biggest influences, The Clash's London Calling. "It saved my life, musically," said Taylor.
Taylor recorded a demo of original songs that took the Contemporary Christian music world by surprise. Taylor first began to write for the musical group The Continentals, then recorded his debut solo EP I Want To Be A Clone in 1982 and released it in January, 1983.
Taylor quickly gained a reputation as a "controversial" artist, using his lyrical ability to sharply criticize other Christian beliefs and practices that he believed were incompatible with Biblical Christianity. However, his lyrics would also prove to be quite humorous as well.
In 1984, Taylor recorded his first full length album, Meltdown with some of the demo material that was not included on Clone plus some new material. His video single of the title track, Meltdown (at Madame Tussaud's) was widely played on MTV, which was unusual for a Christian artist at the time. The video featured an appearance by actress Lisa Whelchel, from NBC's The Facts of Life television series.
Taylor followed that release with On The Fritz, produced by Foreigner's Ian McDonald. In 1987, Taylor once again lived up to his controversial reputation with a song called I Blew Up The Clinic Real Good. The song criticizes anyone who claims to be a pro-life activist who would blow up abortion clinics or kill doctors. Like much of his music, it was meant as a satire. Unfortunately, the point of the song was lost on many and resulted in Taylor's album, I Predict 1990, being pulled from the shelves at some Christian record stores. Taylor himself would occasionally call those stores to explain the song to them.
Taylor then took a break from music, until 1990 when he returned as the lead singer of Chagall Guevara. The band's first recording was Tale o' the Twister, which appeared on the soundtrack to the 1990 film Pump Up the Volume. The band released their only album, the self titled Chagall Guevara, in 1991 on MCA records that year. A follow up album was begun, but due to label restructuring the band was released from its contract.
Taylor returned with another solo album, Squint, and a live CD, Liver, in the mid 1990's.
A tribute to Taylor entitled I Predict A Clone was released in 1994, which features performances by Sixpence None The Richer, Fleming and John, Starflyer 59 and others.
In the years following those releases, Taylor focused his efforts on running a record label, Squint Entertainment, and producing projects for other artists, including Sixpence None The Richer's self titled 1997 release that featured the hit singles Kiss Me and a cover of The La's There She Goes. Squint Entertainment lost its financial backing in 2001 and Taylor was forced out of the company. He is also noted for his work in production and songwriting with the Newsboys.
Taylor is currently working full time as a film maker and has directed music videos for Fleming and John, Rich Mullins, Sixpence None The Richer, Newsboys, Guardian, and two video albums for himself. While still running Squint, Taylor had begun work on a major film project called St. Gimp. That film was abandoned with the company. He has cowritten, coproduced, and directed a film starring Michael W. Smith entitled The Second Chance, released February 17, 2006.
Taylor appears in the documentary film Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music? (released on DVD in 2006), in interview segments and performing part of a song.
Babylon
Steve Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Infidels
in a broken time
our fathers bled the ground
chained and bound
Castaway
my hopes were growing numb
overcome
She bewitched
with a Siren's cry
she beckoned, "Come and learn"
is there no return?
chorus:
Babylon
born in your walls
bred in your will
captive until
I heard the heavens cry
Babylon
this is goodbye
Aftershocks
and the sorrow grows
some make their slow descent
some repent
Rescue me
these idols lie
I cannot bear the shame
make this desert rain
(chorus)
Make this desert rain...
The lyrics of Steve Taylor's song "Babylon" touch on themes of oppression, hopelessness, and spiritual captivity, with a nod to biblical imagery and references. The opening lines introduce the idea of "infidels in a broken time," possibly alluding to a sense of displacement and disconnection from belief systems and sources of comfort. The mention of fathers bleeding the ground and being chained and bound paints a bleak picture of the past and its ongoing effects. The verse goes on to present a question of survival for the "remnant," as the singer's own hopes are waning.
The next verse introduces a seductive figure, "she" who bewitches with a Siren's cry and beckons the listener to "come and learn." It is unclear who or what she represents, but the tone suggests a dangerous temptation that may not be easily resisted. The chorus then brings in the titular term "Babylon," framing it as a place of origin and conditioning ("born in your walls, bred in your will") but also as a site of captivity. The singer hears the heavens cry and declares goodbye to Babylon, as if breaking free from its hold.
The following verse references aftershocks and sorrow, hinting at some kind of disaster or loss that has reverberated through society. For some, there is a descent or a repentance, while the singer begs to be rescued from idols that bring shame. The final line, "make this desert rain," can be interpreted in a few ways - as a plea to restore life to a barren place, as a request for a cleansing or baptism, or as a poetic way of expressing a longing for change and renewal. Overall, "Babylon" is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged song that touches on the human struggle to break free from negative influences and find hope in the midst of turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
Infidels
Refers to people who do not follow a particular religion or faith
in a broken time
Refers to the current time period which seems to be broken or shattered in different ways
our fathers bled the ground
Refers to the violent past in which our ancestors gave up their lives for important causes
chained and bound
Refers to the state of being imprisoned or restricted by external forces
Castaway
Refers to individuals who are isolated, abandoned or rejected by others
should the remnant die?
Asks whether there is any hope or possibility for survival for those who are left behind
my hopes were growing numb
Refers to the feeling of losing hope and motivation due to difficult circumstances
overcome
Refers to the process of facing and defeating one's obstacles or challenges
She bewitched
Refers to the feeling of being mesmerized, fascinated or enchanted by someone or something
with a Siren's cry
Refers to the irresistible or seductive power of temptation
she beckoned, "Come and learn"
Refers to the invitation to know or experience something which has deadly or negative consequences
is there no return?
Asks whether it is possible to come back or recover from the wrong path
Babylon born in your walls
Refers to the corrupt and oppressive system that is deeply rooted in the society or culture
bred in your will
Refers to the malicious intention and motivation behind the system of Babylon
captive until
Refers to the state of being restrained or imprisoned by external forces until something changes
I heard the heavens cry
Refers to the divine or spiritual voice that is calling for justice and change
Babylon this is goodbye
Refers to the final farewell and rejection of the corrupt system of Babylon
Aftershocks
Refers to the continuing impact and consequences of past events
and the sorrow grows
Refers to the feeling of sadness and mourning that increases with time
some make their slow descent
Refers to the gradual decline or deterioration of some individuals or situations
some repent
Refers to the act of remorse, regret and apology for past wrongdoings
Rescue me
Refers to the cry for help and deliverance from difficult or dangerous circumstances
these idols lie
Refers to the false images and illusions that deceive and mislead people
I cannot bear the shame
Refers to the feeling of guilt, inadequacy or humiliation caused by the false images and illusions
make this desert rain
Refers to the cry for a miracle or divine intervention to transform the barren and hopeless situation into a fertile and prosperous one
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID H PERKINS, STEVE R TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@traxneveragain
Steve taylor soooooooo ahead of his time.I loved his music as a child and now as an adult...smh.he sang about the human condition and how short we fell
@amkaen
It's so good to find this song here. I always enjoyed playing Steve Taylor when I was a DJ back in the 80's and 90's. This song is a particular favorite.
@rockdesertsun8246
Cool, I love anything Steve Taylor does!!
@TshudyS
Bummed I missed Steve Taylor at Creation Festival last week. As a young teenager he was one of my favorite artists. Would love to meet him some day!
@ehrldawg
This is awesome !! Thanx for posting !!
@kickoffonline
Same as Andrew. I play a lot of Steve Taylor on my radio show.
@RP-te6wk
Infidels
in a broken time
our fathers bled the ground
chained and bound
Castaway
should the remnant die?
my hopes were growing numb
overcome
She bewitched
with a Siren's cry
she beckoned, "Come and learn"
is there no return?
chorus:
Babylon
born in your walls
bred in your will
captive until
I heard the heavens cry
Babylon
this is goodbye
Aftershocks
and the sorrow grows
some make their slow descent
some repent
Rescue me
these idols lie
I cannot bear the shame
make this desert rain
(chorus)
Make this desert rain
@berkeyspectrumberkey6289
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