One Number Away

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Lore & Background

The song centers entirely on a specific moment of emotional paralysis. It depicts a protagonist who is physically close to reconnecting with his past love but remains frozen by the fear of vulnerability. The narrative does not resolve; instead, it lingers in that agonizing space where one phone call could change everything, yet the courage to make it eludes him. This tension defines the song's core, illustrating how a single number stands as the only barrier between isolation and reunion. Sammy Mitchell produced the track, engineering it and performing many instruments, while Steven Battey shared co-production duties. The raw honesty of this conflict helped propel the song to become a massive radio hit.

In Their Own Story

The story unfolds in a quiet room where a man fights an internal battle against his own emotions. He wants to call his ex-girlfriend but fears breaking down if he does. The narrative focuses on this singular act of hesitation, highlighting how close he is to making the move that would bridge the gap between them. Released as the third single from This One's for You in January 2018, the song quickly climbed the charts. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 84 on March 31, 2018, and peaked at number 34 ten weeks later. In Canada, it reached number 87 on the Canadian Hot 100. An accompanying music video by TA Films visualized this struggle, described as centering on a broken-up couple appearing ready to reunite under an ominous cloud.

Reader's Guide

Fans can experience "One Number Away" through its live performances and chart history. Combs promoted the single with appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live! (recorded October 2, aired November 8, 2017), Megyn Kelly Today (May 25, 2018), and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (July 17, 2018). Commercially, it achieved significant success, earning a 6× Platinum certification from the RIAA in 2025. As of January 2026, it has sold 6,000,000 copies in the US. In Canada, it was certified Platinum by Music Canada on December 14, 2018, denoting 80,000 units sold. The track remains a key entry in Combs' discography, marking his third number-one on the Country Airplay chart and second on the Canada Country chart.

Did You Know?

• Sammy Mitchell produced the song and performed many of the instruments.
• The music video was created by TA Films and features an ominous cloud hanging over a couple on the verge of reuniting.
• Combs gave his third number-one hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with this single.
• Steven Battey is credited as a co-producer and co-writer alongside Combs, Robert Williford, and Sammy Mitchell.
• The song peaked at number 34 on the Hot 100 after debuting at number 84 in March 2018.