Benjamin Lazar Davis is a New York-based musician and songwriter, better known for his work with Okkervil River and Cuddle Magic. Two years after his debut full-length, he has announced the release of a new album which will be out later this year. We already shared “If You Want It” and “What If I?“; “I Bet You’re Fucking” is a new track which comes with the official video directed by himself.
According to the press release, I Bet You’re Fucking” is a tender-hearted, introspective alternative-pop song that imparts lessons about the joys and perils of sex and relationships. The word “fucking” is sung 22 times, and its meaning changes shape throughout — used sometimes as an angry adverb, other times as a resentful gerund, and ultimately as a celebratory acceptance.
The concept for “I Bet You’re Fucking” started in a bar, after Davis exchanged a knowing glance with a friend. Davis took the song idea to his good friend and collaborator Jeremy McDonald (Beyonce, Kevin Garrett), and together they grew the song into a mathematical groove, with melodic fragments and guitar parts, and later, on a drive up to the Catskills with frequent collaborator Bridget Kearney, Davis completed the lyrics. Additional horns, lap steel, and mellotron were added in the studio with co-producer Lars Horntveth (AHA!, Jaga Jazzist) and mix engineer Luke Moellman (Great Good Fine Okay).