Fable (song) explained

Fable
Cover:Fable.jpeg
Caption:Artwork for Italian CD maxi-single release, also used for French CD release
Type:single
Artist:Robert Miles
Album:Dreamland
Genre:Dream house
Length:7:16
Label:DBX, Deconstruction, Urban
Producer:Roberto Milani
Prev Title:Children
Prev Year:1995
Next Title:One and One
Next Year:1996

"Fable" is a song by Italian musician Robert Miles, released in May 1996 as the second single from his debut album, Dreamland (1996). The song features uncredited vocals from Fiorella Quinn. Like "Children", the single received universal acclaim. It was a hit in several countries, reaching number one in Italy and entering the top 10 in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and UK. In 1997, the song charted on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, on which it peaked at number one for one week.

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Jose F. Promis wrote that the song "continues with the same formula he utilized in "Children", this time using ethereal female chant-like vocals (also included is an instrumental version of "Fable")."[1] Larry Flick from Billboard noted that "on this third instrumental epic from the highly influential album "Dreamland" Miles continues to blend racing dance beats with new-age sweetened keyboards with a flair that is difficult to fully duplicate or describe. You simply have to let the melody wash over your senses, while the groove inspires your body to move."[2] A reviewer from Music Week rated the song three out of five.[3] The magazine's Alan Jones added, "Robert Miles follows his platinum single Children with Fable, another enchanting instrumental outing. It's a tad too similar, with the same throbbing NRGetic underpinning and lush strings with only the slight overlaid melody to distinguish it. Pleasant, easy listening and a hit—but don't expect it to come near Children in the popularity stakes."[4]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Fable" was directed by Maria Mochnacz. In it, Robert Miles falls asleep on his sofa, in front of the television. On the wall behind him, three girls are performing a choreography of synchronized swimming.

Track listings

CD single

  1. "Fable" (radio edit) – 3:50
  2. "Fable" (message radio edit) – 4:00
  1. "Fable" (message radio edit) – 4:08
  2. "Fable" (radio edit) – 3:52

CD maxi

  1. "Fable" (message radio edit) – 4:08
  2. "Fable" (radio edit) – 3:52
  3. "Fable" (extended version) – 7:12
  4. "Fable" (extended message version) – 7:43
  5. "Fable" (club mix) – 6:22
  6. "Fable" (wake edit) – 4:42
  7. "Fable" (psycho version) – 4:30
  1. "Fable" (radio edit) – 3:50
  2. "Fable" (message radio edit) – 4:00
  3. "Fable" (extended version) – 7:12
  4. "Fable" (club mix) – 6:23
  5. "Fable" (extended message version) – 7:43
  6. "Fable" (psycho version - NRG mix) – 4:28
  7. "Fable" (wake edit) – 4:44
  1. "Fable" (radio edit) – 3:56
  2. "Fable" (message radio edit) – 4:11
  3. "Fable" (extended version) – 7:12
  4. "Fable" (message version) – 7:44
  5. "Fable" (club version) – 6:22
  6. "Fable" (wake-up version) – 4:44
  7. "Fable" (psycho version) – 4:30
  1. "Fable" (radio edit) – 3:56
  2. "Fable" (message radio) – 4:11
  3. "Fable" (wake up version) – 4:30
  4. "Fable" (extended version) – 7:12
  1. "Fable" (radio edit) – 3:50
  2. "Fable" (extended version) – 7:12
  3. "Fable" (message radio edit) – 4:00
  4. "Fable" (message version) – 7:30
  5. "Fable" (club mix) – 6:15
  6. "Fable" (wake up version) – 4:30
  7. "Fable" (psycho version) – 4:20

12" maxi

  1. "Fable" (extended version) – 7:12
  2. "Fable" (wake up version) – 4:30
  3. "Fable" (message version) – 7:30
  4. "Fable" (NRG mix) – 4:20
  1. "Fable" (extended version) – 7:12
  2. "Fable" (wake up) – 4:44
  3. "Fable" (message version) – 7:43
  4. "Fable" (psycho version) – 4:28
  1. "Fable" (extended version) – 7:12
  2. "Fable" (club version) – 6:23
  3. "Fable" (message version) – 7:43
  4. "Fable" (psycho version - NRG mix) – 4:28
  5. "Fable" (wake up) – 4:44
  1. "Fable" (message version) – 7:43
  2. "Fable" (psycho version - NRG mix) – 4:28
  3. "Fable" (extended version) – 7:12
  4. "Fable" (wake-up version) – 4:44
  1. "Fable" (extended version) – 7:12
  2. "Fable" (wake up version) – 4:30
  3. "Fable" (extended message version) – 7:43
  4. "Fable" (club mix) – 6:15

Double 12"

  1. "Fable" (extended version) – 7:12
  2. "Fable" (extended message version) – 7:43
  3. "Fable" (wake up) – 4:42
  4. "Fable" (psycho version) – 4:30
  5. "Fable" (club mix) – 6:22
  1. "Fable" (extended version) – 7:12
  2. "Fable" (club mix) – 6:23
  3. "Fable" (extended message version) – 7:43
  4. "Fable" (psycho version - NRG mix) – 4:28
  5. "Fable" (wake up) – 4:44
  1. "Fable" (extended version) – 7:12
  2. "Fable" (extended message version) – 7:43
  3. "Wake Up" – 4:44
  4. "Fable" (psycho version - NRG mix) – 4:28
  5. "Fable" (club mix) – 6:23

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1996–1997)Peak
position
Denmark (IFPI)[5] 12
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[6] 2
Hungary (Mahasz)[7] 8
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[8] 5
Italy (Musica e dischi)[9] 1
Spain (AFYVE)[10] 5

Year-end charts

Chart (1996)Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[11] 47
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[12] 51
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[13] 29
France (SNEP)[14] 25
Germany (Official German Charts)[15] 49
Italy (Musica e dischi)[16] 3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[17] 35
UK Singles (OCC)[18] 92

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
Germany27 May 1996CDUrban
Japan21 September 1996[19]
United States8 April 1997Contemporary hit radioArista[20]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jose F.. Promis. Robert Miles – Dreamland. AllMusic. 18 February 2020.
  2. Larry. Flick. Single Reviews. Billboard. 12 April 1997. 6 February 2020. 66. Larry Flick.
  3. Reviews. Music Week. 25 May 1996. 12. 17 August 2021.
  4. Talking Music. Alan. Jones. Music Week. 18 May 1996. 8. 17 August 2021.
  5. Danish Singles Chart. 14 June 1996.
  6. 6 July 1996. Hits of the World: Eurochart Hot 100 (IFPI/Nielsen Marketing Research) 07/06/96. Billboard. 108. 27. 56. 0006-2510.
  7. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 13. 37. 18. 14 September 1996. 25 June 2018.
  8. News: Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (29.06.1996 – 05.07.1996). Dagblaðið Vísir. is. 50. 29 June 1996. 4 February 2018.
  9. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 13. 24. 14. 15 June 1996. 26 November 2019.
  10. Book: Salaverri, Fernando. Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002. 1st. September 2005. Fundación Autor-SGAE. Spain. 84-8048-639-2.
  11. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1996. Ultratop. nl. 11 October 2021.
  12. Web site: Rapports annuels 1996. Ultratop. fr. 11 October 2021.
  13. 1996 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 13. 51/52. 12. 21 December 1996. 18 December 2019.
  14. Web site: Tops de L'année Top Singles 1996. SNEP. fr. 11 October 2021.
  15. Web site: Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1996. GfK Entertainment. de. 7 August 2015.
  16. Chart Watch – Top Selling Singles of 1996. Billboard. 109. 24. 58. 14 June 1997. 2 July 2019.
  17. Web site: Swiss Year-End Charts 1996. de. 11 October 2021.
  18. Top 100 Singles 1996. Music Week. 25. 18 January 1997.
  19. Web site: フェイブル ロバート・マイルズ. Fable Robert Miles. Oricon. ja. 25 September 2023.
  20. New Releases. Radio & Records. 1191. 37. 11 October 2021.

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