Alec Benjamin, Jesus in LA | Track Review

“Jesus in LA,” a song depicting the disappointment in finding success in Los Angeles, marks another brilliant song by pop singer/songwriter Alec Benjamin.

“And that is when I knew that it was time to go home / And that is when I realized that I was alone…” Jesus and Los Angeles – two things that don’t seem to go together.  Obviously, that’s not a true statement, but not the first city one associates with ‘The Most High.’  Honestly, the Alec Benjamin song “Jesus in LA” isn’t really about The Son of God, but ultimately, about a ‘Christ illusion’ of sorts.  The illusion for the Narrated for You pop singer/songwriter was finding happiness and success in L.A., which can be paralleled with Jesus.  Ultimately, Los Angeles was not the saving grace for the talented singer/songwriter, who it’s incredibly hard to imagine he was dropped by a major label, particularly with his distinct, boyish voice.  “Jesus in LA” is another gem for Benjamin – “Can I get an amen?”

Honestly, anytime that religion can be infused into a secular song, it’s pretty awesome. Spiritual matters just work well in pop music, regardless if the respective pop artist is a believer or not.  Throughout the course of “Jesus in LA,” Alec Benjamin does a stellar job incorporating religious imagery, beginning with the opening line of the first verse (“Well, I shook hands with the devil / Down on the south side…”).  The most interesting lyrics definitely hail on the pre-chorus and chorus sections.  On the pre-chorus, Benjamin sings:

“I’ve been looking for my savior

Looking for my truth

I even asked my shrink

He brought me down to his level

Said, ‘Son, you’re not special

You won’t find him where you think.’”

Essentially, success didn’t happen for Benjamin in Los Angeles, a place where so many go to become a ‘star,’ and few make it.  He continues on the chorus, from the perspective of the shrink:

“‘You won’t find him down on Sunset

Or at a party in the hills

At the bottom of the bottle

Or when you’re tripping on some pills

When they sold you the dream, you were just 16

Packed a bag and ran away

And it’s a crying shame you came all this way

‘Cause you won’t find Jesus in LA.”

Final Thoughts 

At the very beginning, the bridge of “Jesus in LA” was excerpted.  It continues with Benjamin singing, “… And all the vibrant colors from the lights fade away / And I don’t care what they say.” Alec Benjamin came to realize he didn’t need L.A. to be his savior – he already had everything he needed with his family and within himself. Now that’s salvation… well, sort of!  Obviously, it’s turned out well, and the music he’s releasing, including this particular song, is excellent.

Alec Benjamin • Jesus in LA [Single] • Alec Benjamin • Release: 7.19.19

Photo Credit: Alec Benjamin