"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.

"Fable"
Artwork for Italian CD maxi-single release, also used for French CD release
Single by Robert Miles
from the album Dreamland
Released27 May 1996 (1996-05-27)
GenreDream house
Length7:16
LabelDBX, Deconstruction, Urban
Songwriter(s)Roberto Concina
Producer(s)Roberto Milani
Robert Miles singles chronology
"Children"
(1995)
"Fable"
(1996)
"One and One"
(1996)
Music video
"Fable" on YouTube

Critical reception

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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

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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

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Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
France (SNEP)[37] Gold 250,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Germany 27 May 1996 CD Urban [13]
Japan 21 September 1996 [38]
United States 8 April 1997 Contemporary hit radio Arista [39]

References

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  1. ^ Promis, Jose F. "Robert Miles – Dreamland". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  2. ^ Flick, Larry (12 April 1997). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 66. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  3. ^ "Reviews" (PDF). Music Week. 25 May 1996. p. 12. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  4. ^ Jones, Alan (18 May 1996). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 8. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Robert Miles – Fable". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  6. ^ "Robert Miles – Fable" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  7. ^ "Robert Miles – Fable" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  8. ^ "Robert Miles – Fable" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  9. ^ Danish Singles Chart. 14 June 1996.
  10. ^ "Hits of the World: Eurochart Hot 100 (IFPI/Nielsen Marketing Research) 07/06/96". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 27. 6 July 1996. p. 56. ISSN 0006-2510.
  11. ^ "Robert Miles: Fable" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  12. ^ "Robert Miles – Fable" (in French). Les classement single.
  13. ^ a b "Robert Miles – Fable" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  14. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 37. 14 September 1996. p. 18. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  15. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (29.06.1996 – 05.07.1996)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 29 June 1996. p. 50. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  16. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Fable". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  17. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 24. 15 June 1996. p. 14. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  18. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Robert Miles" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  19. ^ "Robert Miles – Fable" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  20. ^ "Robert Miles – Fable". Top 40 Singles.
  21. ^ "Robert Miles – Fable". VG-lista.
  22. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  23. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  24. ^ "Robert Miles – Fable". Singles Top 100.
  25. ^ "Robert Miles – Fable". Swiss Singles Chart.
  26. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  27. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  28. ^ "Robert Miles Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  29. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1996" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  30. ^ "Rapports annuels 1996" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  31. ^ "1996 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 51/52. 21 December 1996. p. 12. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  32. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1996" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  33. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1996" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  34. ^ "Chart Watch – Top Selling Singles of 1996". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 24. 14 June 1997. p. 58. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  35. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 1996" (in German). Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  36. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1996". Music Week. 18 January 1997. p. 25.
  37. ^ "French single certifications – Robert Miles – Fable" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  38. ^ "フェイブル | ロバート・マイルズ" [Fable | Robert Miles] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  39. ^ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1191. 11 October 2021. p. 37.