Call Me by Houston & Lace

Reflective country from the incredible Nashville duo.

I thought I knew Call Me. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard it, but this is a completely new exciting chapter. What I didn’t know was that Houston & Lace have been performing this song for six years or so, since before they were married.

This is a wonderful new full-country version of the song, and it works beautifully as a duet. The premise is simple and familiar to anyone who has lived in a small town. She’s turned up at a bar. Why on earth did she choose this one? It turns out he’s there.

Call me on your way back home
Cause I don’t want to be alone
And I know someone’s waiting for you
We didn’t mean a word we said
No it ain’t over yet

She’s been trying to break up with her guy for what feels like months. But fate keeps intervening. He has someone else, for what it’s worth. It feels like Groundhog Day, the way they keep running into each other. Why didn’t she just get up and leave? What is keeping her here?

Even after they say whatever they say, or do whatever they do, she wants him to call on the way home. She can’t bare to be alone. She’s right about one thing: this town is too small. But some things can only be discussed after dark, for some reason. Whatever spell has been cast, it won’t work in the morning.

There’s some haunting, dry electric guitar solos in this brilliant song. It’s country at its very best. Lacy’s voice always catches the attention and it’s nice to hear Houston on vocals too. It adds to the sadness, to hear his voice.

Who’s the victim here? Well, only about 5% of what you do in life is under your own conscious control. The only victim seems to be the absent new woman. On the other hand, perhaps she shouldn’t have dove in so hastily? There’s unfinished business here.

Houston & Lace are building an outstanding catalogue of singles and there is more on the way soon. You can follow them on Instagram and TikTok.