"She Calls Me Back" is a song by American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan from his third studio album Stick Season (2022). It was written and produced by Kahan, along with Gabe Simon. On October 6, 2023, a version of the song featuring American singer Kacey Musgraves was released.
Background
When Noah Kahan finished making Stick Season, he listened back and imagined Kacey Musgraves singing several of the tracks. After performing at the Alaska State Fair in 2023, he heard Musgraves sing one of his songs, much to his excitement. They later discussed collaborating, with Musgraves selecting "She Calls Me Back" and recording her part while he was on tour.
Composition
"She Calls Me Back" is a folk-pop song, with faint traces of 1980s heartland rock and power pop. Lyrically, it sees the protagonist in a relationship that is falling apart and attempting to hold on to it, being unable to accept the outcome even though the relationship may have always been problematic. In the duet version, Musgraves sings the second verse in place of Kahan, from the perspective of the protagonist's romantic partner, and both artists sing the final chorus together.
Critical reception
Writing for People, Sadie Bell called the song "lovely" and complimented the final chorus, writing "their charming voices become intertwined, with their twangs meshing seamlessly." Chris DeVille of Stereogum commented that "She Calls Me Back" is a "nice song, but Musgraves' presence really lights it up".
