If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Instagram recently, you’ve probably seen a guy who looks like he stepped straight out of a 1955 diner. His hair is perfectly coiffed, he’s wearing a crisp white tee, and he’s singing into a vintage microphone. That’s Elliot James Reay. For a long time, he was the "coffee shop guy" or the "sink singer," known for doing hauntingly accurate covers of Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison. But then he dropped an original.
Elliot James Reay I Think They Call This Love lyrics aren't just a catchy melody; they represent a massive shift in his career. It’s the moment he stopped being a tribute act and became a bona fide star.
The song feels old. Like, "found-in-your-grandpa's-attic-on-a-dusty-vinyl" old. But it was actually released in July 2024. The irony? Most people first hearing it on social media genuinely thought it was a lost Elvis track. It’s that convincing.
The Story Behind the Lyrics
Honestly, the way this song came together is pretty romantic. Elliot wrote it with his first love. They sat down and hashed it out in just about three or four hours. He’s mentioned in interviews that the words came easily because he was living the experience in real-time. He was feeling those "funny feelings" and trying to put a name to them.
The opening lines are basically a nod to every classic romance movie ever made:
They say, you know when you know
So let's face it, you had me at hello👉 See also: When Was Kai Cenat Born? What You Didn't Know About His Early Life
It’s simple. Maybe even a bit cliché. But in the world of 1950s-style rock 'n' roll, sincerity is the whole point. Elliot isn't trying to be edgy or metaphorical. He’s just saying, "Hey, I think I’m in love."
Decoding the 1950s Vibes
What makes the Elliot James Reay I Think They Call This Love lyrics stand out in a sea of synth-pop and trap beats is the production. To get that authentic sound, Elliot and his producers (the duo known as SOAP) recorded the whole thing live to tape.
They used vintage gear, including an AEA R44 microphone and a 1950s Ludwig drum kit. They didn't want the digital "perfection" of modern music. They wanted the hiss, the warmth, and the slight imperfections that make a record feel alive.
There’s a specific line in the song that always gets people: “Good vibrations getting loud.” It’s a cheeky little shout-out to The Beach Boys, even though the song leans more toward the crooner era of the early fifties than the surf-rock of the sixties.
Why It Went Viral
You’ve probably seen the videos. Elliot usually films himself in a kitchen or a bathroom—places with naturally good acoustics. He’s often doing something mundane, like combing his hair or making a cup of tea, and then he just... opens his mouth.
✨ Don't miss: Anjelica Huston in The Addams Family: What You Didn't Know About Morticia
That "effortless cool" is something he says he takes from classic film stars like James Dean and Marlon Brando. It’s a vibe that resonates because it feels personal. Before the song even officially launched, teasers on TikTok had already racked up over 10 million views. People were desperate for the full version.
The Breakout Impact
By the time the song hit streaming platforms, the hype was massive. It eventually climbed into the UK Singles Chart and stayed on Spotify’s Global Viral 50 for weeks.
For a kid from Bury, Manchester, who started out busking and posting videos from his kitchen, that’s a huge deal. He even ended up signing with Interscope and EMI, proving that there’s a massive market for nostalgia.
Is He Just an Elvis Impersonator?
That’s the big debate, right? Some critics say he’s leaning too hard into the past. Elliot doesn’t see it that way. While he grew up on Elvis (his mom literally played Elvis to him while she was pregnant), he’s trying to create something "that could be played alongside him," not just a copy.
He acknowledges that the comparison is a compliment, but he wants to be Elliot James Reay, not "The New Elvis." You can hear it in the way he delivers the lyrics—there's a bit more of a modern pop sensibility in the vocal runs if you listen closely.
🔗 Read more: Isaiah Washington Movies and Shows: Why the Star Still Matters
What’s Next After This Love?
Since the success of this track, Elliot hasn't slowed down. He released his debut EP, All This To Say I Love You, in June 2025. It’s filled with more of that "technicolor" sound—songs like "Boy In Love" and "Sweetness" that continue the theme of wide-eyed, sincere romance.
He’s also been touring, taking the show from the UK to Southeast Asia. If you’re lucky enough to catch him live, don't expect a high-tech light show. It’s all about the voice and the band.
If you want to dive deeper into his sound, start by listening to the acoustic version of "I Think They Call This Love." It strips away the production and lets the lyrics really breathe. Then, check out his cover of "Unchained Melody"—it’s probably the closest he gets to that Roy Orbison emotional peak.
The best way to support him is to keep streaming the official releases so he can keep making music that sounds like it’s from 1954.