Song Details
- Album Release Date: 1978
- Album Name: An American Prayer
Song Meaning (Interpretation) of “Babylon Fading” by Jim Morrison
In “Babylon Fading” by Jim Morrison, he examines the feeling of alienation and loss as the modern world changes both around and within him. The song starts off with a biblical reference to the city of Babylon, which reinforces the idea of an ancient and mysterious civilization being replaced with something that Morrison finds unfamiliar and truthfully frightening. He speaks of “foreign tongues” and an atmosphere of dread that penetrates through the walls of time. He speaks of Babylon fading away from him, signifying his waning sense of security in the world. He also speaks of an oppressive force that brings changes and a sense of displacement, bringing about a fear of both the unknown and the inevitable. Through this song, Morrison explores the concept of being adrift in a world changing faster than he can keep up, and his attempt to wrestle with the pain of the loss of his familiar way of life.