Ben E. Davis addresses his critics who ask why he left LA for London in 2014, “swapping sunshine for rain” in new single, ‘American Boy In London’.
‘American Boy In London’ reflects the jazzy, rhythmic melody of Sting’s classic, ‘Englishman In New York’, and gives it a contemporary edge, adding rap, and electronic stylings. While the music video is firmly rooted in central London (with shots of downtown LA and Venice Beach), Davis shows just how much he knows about his adopted country, name-dropping the likes of John-O-Groats and Lands End (the towns at the two extremes of the UK), as well as his new London home suburb of Hammersmith, while answering the questions he’s asked the most, and sharing the pros and cons of being an American living in London.
The contrast seems bleak at first – sunshine versus rain – but he brings up the fact that he can get anywhere he wants in London by catching the tube or the bus, whereas in Los Angeles he’d be caught in the city’s notorious traffic. As a North Hollywood native, Davis is well aware that the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles is largely superficial, and is all part of the “clout-chasing” culture. While “the grass is always greener on the other side”, “Bright Hollywood dreams can turn into dark nightmares”. Living in London, he’s able to use his music as a bridge between his past and present.
You can watch ‘American Boy’ in London below, and find out more about Ben E. Davis and his music online on his official website, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
