I Don't Believe You by Caleb Elliott

You are going to love Caleb Elliott for two reasons. One, he works out of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, on the Tennessee River. This means he sounds something like Ocean Colour Scene, a band that was enormous in 1997 and who were themselves enormous fans of the Muscle Shoals vibe to the extent that they called their first album Moseley Shoals, a sort of Birmingham, England plus Birmingham, Alabama mashup.

The other reason, and most especially for UK fans, is that Caleb had a song on the US version of Shameless. Now I am not ashamed to say that I vastly prefer the US version of Shameless for three (casting) reasons. William H. Macy is a god among actors and Emmy Rossum is simply the knees of the bee, of every bee. She is perfectly cast. She is even called Emmy – what a name for any actor! And another perfect casting is Shanola Hampton. You can add a fourth reason now you know that Caleb is on the soundtrack.

I might have lost count of all my reasons and sub-reasons there but never mind, I’m not wrong. This week’s song is I Don’t Believe You. Oh dear. A communication breakdown, thought not an angry one, strangely. It’s kind of jaunty, a real puzzle. He doesn’t believe her, he’s out of his mind, but not angry about this?

Out of my mind again, dear
That’s where you’ll find me if you need me
Strumming to the tune I wrote down
Having the time of my life here

Does he think she’s lying to him all the time? She’s lacking the courage needed to tell the truth? He’s confused, as am I. He doesn’t know what he should do, if anything. If she really has been lying to him, why isn’t he angry? It’s a gentle tune with a nice guitar through-line. A real singalong song.

Whatever is going on, they’ve got themselves into a pickle. Maybe whatever story she’s cookin’ up isn’t one of those do or die topics. She’s not cheating, she’s just told him she’s done the dishes, contrary to all available evidence to the contrary. Or she was the one who put that red bra in the white wash?

The addition of The Secret Sisters (also from Muscle Shoals!) on backing vocals gives this song a very different feel to Caleb’s other upcoming single, Slow Burn.

Cos I don’t believe you
Even though I’d like to
I think you lack the courage
To just lay down the burden

Caleb has this exclusive message for you, in which he opens the lid a little bit more on the song and his recording process.

The protagonist in this song has allowed the denial to fester to the verge of a complete mental breakdown. He’s realized a relationship must end, and he will have to be the one to call it off. Bass, drums, guitar, keys and lead vocal were tracked live in the same room together, with the Secret Sisters angelic harmonies added in post. We wanted it to feel very live, like you’re in the room with an actual band performing together. The end result tips its cap to Harry Nilsson and The Band in a wonderful way I’m very happy about.

This has to be the happiest, jauntiest song about a lying lover I have heard in a very long time. It’s fantastic! Your video link is below. Someone has definitely hacked his home CCTV system.