Busking, kitchen videos, and covers
Reay started out busking in the streets of his hometown, Bury, and later in Melbourne, [1] singing covers of classical rock-and-roll songs from Elvis Presley, Billy Fury, Roy Orbison, among others. [6] According to Reay, he thrived on market day "when all the elderly folks would come by and I got to sing my old stuff". [2] At age 15, Reay raised over £2000 in a day for a charity set up in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing through busking and singing "If I Can Dream". [2]
In July 2019, at age 17, Reay posted his first cover of an Elvis Presley song, Love Me, on his YouTube channel. [6] After encouragement from a friend to put more of his "real self" online, Reay posted a TikTok video of himself buttering toast while singing the song "My Way" in April 2023. Reay has since posted more than ninety "kitchen-sink videos" in which he sings in an apartment setting as he goes about everyday tasks such as making instant coffee, cleaning, or combing his hair, and an additional 25 covers on his YouTube channel. [1] [3]
Reay has over 5.8 million followers on social media, including 3.9 million followers on TikTok, 885,000 on Instagram, 864,000 on YouTube, and 192,000 followers on Facebook. Two videos of Reay performing "Devil in Disguise" by Elvis Presley and "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran have collectively received over 58 million views on TikTok. [2] [7]
2024–present: All This To Say I Love You
Reay released his debut single, "I Think They Call This Love", in July 2024. The song features a nostalgic style reminiscent of classic malt shop music, beginning with the lines They say you know when you know / So let's face it, you had me at 'Hello.' The single received over 10 million views prior to its full release in July, [8] [9] and over 30 million streams since. [10] It was on Spotify's Viral charts in 27+ countries, reaching #4 on the Global Viral 50. [11] In March 2025, Reay's debut single won the "Road to Memphis" competition, where it was chosen from over 33,000 international entries. [12]
After the independent release of his debut single, Reay signed with Interscope Records and EMI Records, and released his second single, "Boy in Love", in November 2024. [13] It has an upbeat and rock n’ roll tone, with the corresponding music video depicting Reay stepping out of an American 50s car to walk through autumnal Manchester. [14] In "Boy in Love", Reay pays homage to Sam Cooke with the line But, now, when Sam Cooke sings, she got me whistling along. The opening chord of "Boy in Love" is similar to the Everly Brothers' classic "All I Have to Do Is Dream" (1958). Reay has described these subtle nods to his musical influences as "little Easter eggs to people who get it". [15]
Reay's third single, "Daydreaming", released in March 2025, is reminiscent of Roy Orbison in style. [16] It is a nostalgic retro-pop track about longing, blending ’50s–’60s rock 'n' roll with sweeping orchestral, guitar, and brass sounds. The accompanying visualizer shows Reay lost in thought, matching the feeling of drifting into memories, expressed in the lyrics when I miss you, close my eyes and I drift away. [16] The song features actual bird chirps that are meant to add to the reverie-like feel. [17] Reay's fans are called "Reaydreamers", a portmanteau of Reay's last name and his single "Daydreaming".
"Who Knew Dancing Was A Sin", Reay's fourth single (May 2025), uses the humorous premise of a partner suspecting infidelity due to late-night dancing to explore the passion and energy of Northern Soul. [18] The song includes groovy basslines, call-and-response vocals and saxophone, and the music video features Reay dancing among Northern soul dancers. In "Who Knew Dancing Was A Sin", Reay pays homage to Jackie Wilson with the lines Oh, 'cause it's too much of a risk/To tell her who my Jackie is, and a Wilson record is shown in the cinematic music video. [19]
Reay released his debut extended play (EP) All This To Say I Love You on June 27, 2025. [20] In addition to the four singles above, it includes two love songs "Sweetness" and "I Can't Stay Away". [21] [22] Along with the release of the EP, Reay issued a Technicolor-styled music video for "Sweetness" directed by Nikko Lamere. [23] Reay subsequently embarked on a sold out UK tour to support the release of his debut EP.
Reay was announced as the opening act to American singer-songwriter Benson Boone's American Heart World Tour.
