Whispers in the Dark

Album: Babel (2012)
Charted: 81
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This anthem call finds Marcus Mumford singing: "I'm a cad but I'm not a I'm not a fraud. I set out to serve the Lord." Speaking to the Big Issue, Mumford responded to the interviewer's question about the seeming religious undertones to the lyrics. "The lyric you said, 'I set out to serve the Lord,' no-one realizes it's pluperfect tense," he said. "The lyric is, 'I had set out to serve the Lord.' It's looking back at a time when that happened."

    "I don't even call myself a Christian," he added. "Spirituality is the word we engage with more. We're fans of faith, no religion. We're just writing songs that ask questions. Sometimes the best way to go about exploring a question, things we wouldn't necessarily talk about in conversation, is by writing a song."
  • The song has been played live by the band since before their debut album Sigh No More was released.
  • The Jim Canty directed music video was filmed during Mumford & Sons' tour stop in Camden, New Jersey as we see each band member make their way to their arena show. The tongue-in-cheek clip action is split into four screens, with Marcus Mumford cruising to the gig on a bike and Ben Lovett waking up in a parked car then finding himself in bumper-to-bumper traffic, meaning he has to race the rest of the way on foot. Meanwhile, Ted Dwane looks contemplatively at the sea before hitching a ride aboard a naval vessel and Winston Marshall steps out of a suit into a ragged costume with the addition of some fake facial hair to complete the Depression-era look the band is often noted for. Mumford & Sons tour openers, Haim, have a cameo role helping to outfit Marshall in his tattered ensemble.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

dUg Pinnick of King's X

dUg Pinnick of King's XSongwriter Interviews

dUg dIgs into his King's X metal classics and his many side projects, including the one with Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam.

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.

Jon Anderson

Jon AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Jon Anderson breaks down the Yes classic "Seen All Good People" and talks about his 1000 Hands album, which features Chick Corea, Rick Derringer, Ian Anderson, and many other luminaries.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.