Luke Combs, the new guy in Nashville's pantheon of country superstars, adds a tragic new wrinkle to his already tear-inducing song "One Number Away" in its music video.
The cut from Combs' breakthrough 2017 album This One's For You captures the self-doubt that can pop up after a loving relationship ends. It furthers the singer's image as an average dude who understands fans' nights out with buddies, dating lives and scratch-off ticket fantasies. In addition, the song displays Combs' vocal talents, first heard on his single "Hurricane." Sometimes, he sounds a little like a traditionally-minded forebearer of Travis Tritt's vocal delivery, although Combs chooses songs more akin to what's happening on mainstream radio.
"One Number Away" seems more like an old country song when paired with its video. After all, someone like Porter Wagoner wouldn't have just told us about two young lovers' split. He probably would've killed one of them (lyrically) with a train or automobile. The latter strikes unexpectedly, adding a new layer of sorrow to one of Combs' strongest recordings to date.
"One Number Away" Lyrics
Are you sitting at home all alone trying to fall asleep?
Are you staring a hole through your phone praying that it rings?
Are you watching a movie that you've seen a thousand times?
Maybe playing some Mayer getting lost in your favorite lines?
Well, if you're anything like me
You just might be doing whatever it takes to drown out the noise
But I just wanna hear your voice
And I'm one number away from calling to you
I said I was through, but I'm dying inside
Got my head in a mess, girl, I confess
I lied when I said, "I'm leaving and not coming back"
Might be the whiskey or the midnight rain
But everywhere I go I see your face
In my brain, dial it up, everything I want to say
But I'm still one number away
Are you stuck at a red light with a Marlboro Light on your lips?
Does the smoke in your mirror get clearer without my kiss?
Are you changing the station replacing our favorite song?
Maybe it's a mistake, hit the brakes, I'm moving on
Well, if you're anything like me
You just might be doing whatever it takes to outrun the storm
But I'm almost out that door
And I'm one number away from calling to you
I said I was through, but I'm dying inside
Got my head in a mess, girl, I confess
I lied when I said, "I'm leaving and not coming back"
Might be the whiskey or the midnight rain
But everywhere I go I see your face
In my brain, dial it up, everything I want to say
But I'm still one number away
Will you pick up when I call?
Or just forget we loved at all?
We don't have to talk, I just wanna hear your voice
And I'm one number away from calling to you
I said I was through, but I'm dying inside
Got my head in a mess, girl, I confess
I lied when I said, "I'm leaving and not coming back"
Might be the whiskey or the midnight rain
But everywhere I go I see your face
In my brain, dial it up, everything I want to say
But I'm still one number away
Away, away
Yes, you're one number away
