You know that song. You’ve definitely heard it in a Zara, a spinning class, or maybe a sun-drenched European airport lounge back in 2017. That bright, percussive piano riff and the high-pitched vocal chops that somehow feel like summer in a bottle. Starley’s "Call On Me" wasn’t just another tropical house track; it was a literal lifeline for the artist who wrote it.
Honestly, it’s one of those tracks that people often mistake for an Eric Prydz cover or a generic EDM banger. It isn't. Not even close. Behind the catchy Ryan Riback remix that conquered the global charts is a story of a woman who was ready to pack it all in and go home.
The Bedroom Demo That Saved a Career
Starley Hope wasn’t some overnight TikTok success story. She had been grinding in London for five years, chasing the songwriter dream. She had the publishing deal with Sony/ATV. She was writing for other people. But she was broke.
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By the time she moved back to Australia to live with her parents, she was done. Music felt like a toxic relationship that wouldn't love her back. She sat in her bedroom, feeling the weight of what she called her "lowest point," and wrote "Call On Me" as a letter of encouragement to herself.
It was therapy. She basically told herself: "If this is fate, then we'll find a way to cheat." That line is everything. It’s not just catchy; it’s a middle finger to failure. When you listen to the original version—the acoustic, guitar-driven one—you can hear the exhaustion. It’s vulnerable. It’s raw. It’s a far cry from the club version that eventually made her a household name.
How the Ryan Riback Remix Changed Everything
Most people don't actually know the original version of "Call On Me." That’s just the reality of the music industry. The version that went 3x Platinum in Australia and took over the UK Top 10 was the Ryan Riback Remix.
Riback, a South African-Australian producer, took that intimate bedroom song and gave it a pulse. He didn't just add a beat; he transformed the vibe from "I'm struggling" to "We're going to get through this together on a dancefloor."
The remix did a few specific things that made it a "monster hit":
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- The Piano Hook: That syncopated synth-piano is instant ear-candy.
- Vocal Manipulation: It used the "vocal chop" trend of the mid-2010s but kept Starley’s soulful tone intact.
- Tempo: It stayed at a breezy 105 BPM, perfect for that "twee trop-house" vibe that was dominating radio at the time.
Starley actually tried to give the song to another singer first. Can you imagine? She had the "Sia mentality" of just being a writer. But the story was too personal. She realized no one else could sell that level of desperation and hope simultaneously.
Chart Dominance and Global Impact
The numbers on this track are actually pretty staggering when you look back. It wasn't just a "one-week wonder."
- Sweden: It hit #1.
- Australia: Peaked at #8 and stayed on the charts for nearly half a year.
- UK: Cracked the Top 10.
- USA: Reached #65 on the Billboard Hot 100, which is incredibly hard for an Australian indie-electronic artist.
Beyond the charts, it became a massive sync success. It was the kind of song that worked for everything from makeup commercials to emotional reality TV exits.
The Struggles Nobody Talked About
While "Call On Me" was climbing the charts, Starley was dealing with the darker side of the industry. She’s been open about the fact that labels told her to change her look. They wanted her to lose weight. They wanted her to straighten her hair. They even told her she wasn't "sexy enough" for the pop world.
She grew up in a religious household, so the pressure to pivot into a hyper-sexualized image felt alien to her. The success of the song was a win for authenticity. She did it her way, with her curls and her story, and the world still listened.
It’s also worth noting the song's importance to the LGBTQ+ community. Starley has been vocal about her journey with her sexuality and her faith. For many, "Call On Me" became an anthem for finding support when the traditional structures (like the church or family) might feel shaky. It’s a song about being that "person in your corner," whether that person is a friend, a partner, or just your own resilient self.
Why "Call On Me" Still Matters in 2026
We live in an era of 15-second soundbites. Most songs disappear after a week. But "Call On Me" has a weirdly long tail.
Why? Because it’s a "happy-sad" song.
Musicians call this "melancholy you can dance to." The lyrics are about struggle, but the production is about release. In a post-pandemic world where mental health is finally a mainstream conversation, a song about being at your lowest and finding a way to "cheat fate" feels more relevant than ever.
Actionable Insights for Your Playlist
If you’re revisiting Starley’s discography or just looking for that specific 2010s nostalgia, here is how to actually experience this track properly:
- Listen to the Original Version first. Seriously. Go to Spotify or YouTube and find the "Original Mix." It’s much slower and more acoustic. It helps you appreciate the songwriting before the EDM gloss was applied.
- Check out the "One of One" album. This was her debut album released in 2020. It includes "Call On Me" but also tracks like "Love Is Love," which expands on her personal story.
- Use it for High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). The Ryan Riback remix is famously good for steady-state cardio because of its consistent, driving rhythm.
- Learn the lyrics. Specifically that second verse: "Some people would say to accept defeat / Well, if this is fate, then we'll find a way to cheat." It’s the ultimate morning mantra when you’re not feeling the day.
Starley might not be churning out Top 40 hits every month, but she doesn't need to. She wrote a song that helped her survive her own life, and in the process, she gave millions of people a reason to keep moving. That’s the kind of staying power that outlasts any chart position.