Babel (song)

"Babel" is a song performed by British folk rock band Mumford & Sons, released as the fourth single from their second studio album Babel (2012). It was released on 9 July 2013 as a digital download. The song was written by Mumford & Sons and produced by Markus Dravs.

For other songs, see Babel (disambiguation) § Songs.
"Babel"
Single by Mumford & Sons
from the album Babel
Released9 July 2013
Recorded2011–2012
GenreIndie folk
Length3:29
LabelIsland Records
Songwriter(s)Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford and Winston Marshall
Producer(s)Markus Dravs
Mumford & Sons singles chronology
"Whispers in the Dark"
(2013)		 "Babel"
(2013)		 "Hopeless Wanderer"
(2013)

About the name

"Babel" is the name of both the song and the album on which their song appeared. The title is a reference to the story known as the Tower of Babel from Genesis 11:1–9 in the Bible.[1] The song features numerous other biblical references too, which is common for music by Mumford & Sons.[2]

Still, they maintain that their message is not intended to be explicitly religious in nature.[3] Rather, their bassist, Ted Dwane, noted in a Rolling Stone interview that the song is more generally about human striving and discontentment: "As humans, we’re such a discontented species. We’re always trying to further ourselves, and you get all the way to the moon and then it’s just discontent. You want to go to Mars."[4]

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "Babel" was first released onto YouTube on 8 July 2013 at a total length of four minutes and five seconds.[5] The video shows the band performing the song in the former 16th Street station in Oakland, California.[6][7]

Track listing
Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Babel"3:29

Charts and certifications

Release history
Region Date Format Label
United Kingdom 9 July 2013 Digital download Island Records

References
  1. "Mumford & Sons: Finding Balance In 'Babel'". NPR. September 23, 2012. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  2. "Mumford Review: Babel". The Two Cities. 2012-10-02. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  3. NME (2012-09-28). "Mumford And Sons' Marcus Mumford: Babel' is not a statement of Christian faith'". NME. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  4. Doyle, Patrick (2012-08-08). "Q&A: Mumford & Sons' Ted Dwane on New Album, Possible Move to U.S." Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  5. Mumford & Sons - Babel on YouTube
  6. Mumford & Sons unveil new single 'Babel' music video - watch - Music News - Digital Spy
  7. "Where should Treasure Island Music Festival 2017 relocate?". San Francisco Chronicle. October 7, 2016.
  8. "Mumford & Sons – Babel" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  9. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  10. "Mumford Sons Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  11. "Mumford Sons Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  12. "Mumford Sons Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  13. "Mumford Sons Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  14. "Mumford Sons Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  15. "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  16. "Triple A Songs: 2013 (Year-End)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  17. "British single certifications – Mumford & Sons – Babel". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 April 2019.



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