Tebey

by Amanda Flinner

The multi-genre songwriter talks about his pop songs for One Direction and Cher, and his new country album, Tulum.

With popular songs like "Denim On Denim" and "Who's Gonna Love You" in his repertoire, Tebey found a voice in country music - but his songwriting for other artists isn't confined to one genre. When he's not writing for country stars like Justin Moore and Joe Nichols, he's penning pop tunes for the likes of One Direction, Cher, Fifth Harmony, and Flo Rida. Regardless of the genre, his aim always stays the same.

"I always just try to write great songs, because production can change," he said in a 2018 interview. "There's always going to be sounds that are hot right now, but at the end of the day it's all about great melodies."

The Canadian singer-songwriter practically grew up with a microphone in his hand, singing in church by the age of 5 and performing in singing competitions as a teen. After a development deal with a major Nashville label fell through in the late '90s, the 15-year-old went back home to Ontario but never gave up on his music aspirations. A couple years later, he took another shot at the Music City and landed a contract with BNA Records as a singer and with Warner Chappell Music as a staff songwriter.

In 2003, he released his debut single, "We Shook Hands (Man To Man)," which was a minor hit on the US Country chart. But it took nearly a decade for him to release his debut album, aptly titled The Wait, because he was busy writing hit songs for other artists. Two came two years later.

In the midst of his growing success, notching hits in his native Canada and building a fanbase in the UK, Tebey nearly gave up his music career in the face of debilitating anxiety and depression, but took a one-year hiatus instead. He returned with his 2018 EP, Love A Girl, along with a passion for mental health care advocacy. He followed with his third full-length album, the acclaimed The Good Ones, in 2021.

Songfacts caught up with Tebey ahead of the release of his fourth album, Tulum, which features the singles "What Was I Drinking" and "Sink With The Sun." He told us the stories behind those songs and put to rest a longstanding rumor about the One Direction fan favorite "They Don't Know About Us."
Amanda Flinner (Songfacts): How did your time in Tulum, Mexico, influence the songs on the new album? Why did you choose that location?

Tebey: Honestly, something as simple as a change of environment always helps me with the creative process. I've always written my records in Nashville, so being in a different place, surrounded by a different culture definitely stoked my creative fire.

Songfacts: At Songfacts, we like to get the stories behind the songs. Is it true that "What Was I Drinking" was inspired by a drunken night out?

Tebey: Kinda (laughs). I had gone out for dinner with my producer and a friend, and we eventually found ourselves at a bar for a few drinks. What we didn't know is they didn't use purified water to make their ice cubes. The next morning, we all woke up incredibly sick. A few days later when we emerged from our bedrooms, my buddy Jimmy [Thow] said to me, "Man, what were we drinking?!"

Songfacts: How did "Sink With The Sun" come together?

Tebey: That song was written with two of my usual songwriting partners, Kelly Archer and Danick Dupelle. I wasn't feeling particularly inspired that day, until my co-writer Kelly tossed out an idea she had written down in her phone: the title "Sink With The Sun." Two sessions later, we had the song written.

Songfacts: The music video for that song has some beautiful scenery. What are your memories of making the video?

Tebey: When we chose "Sink With The Sun" as our next single, I knew immediately I wanted to shoot the music video down in Tulum. The director, Sean Cartwright, really captured the vibe I kept seeing in my head. We spent a few days with our small crew looking for beautiful locations to shoot our actress Tamara Dominic in and a different spot for me too, including the 60-ft yacht we rented.

We envisioned shooting awesome drone footage of me on the front of the boat in open water but didn't anticipate almost everyone getting seasick! We ended up shooting those scenes in the calm waters of the harbor (laughs). Overall, the shoot was very chill and lots of fun. I'm very proud of the video and how it turned out.

Songfacts: Going back a little ways to "Denim On Denim," why didn't you initially want to pursue writing the song, and what made you change your mind?

Tebey: I just didn't think we could make the "idea" into a hit. It seemed a little cheesy to me. As a songwriter you never know what is going to connect with the listener. All you can do is write the best song you can at the time and pray people like it. A Platinum certification later, I think it's safe to say people liked that one!

Country singer Mel McDaniel also sang about a denim-wearing woman in his 1985 chart-topper "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On." Tebey paid tribute to McDaniel's tune in "Denim On Denim," where he's got the hots for a girl in painted-on jeans. He sings:

Tore up and tight, got my eyes on you
You can't help it, you're Mel McDaniel approved
Songfacts: Who gets credit for sneaking the Mel McDaniel reference in there?

Tebey: I wish I could take credit for that reference. But that was my co-writer (and fellow Canadian) Kelly Archer.

Songfacts: Apparently, there's been a persistent rumor for the past decade in the One Direction community that "They Don't Know About Us" is actually about a secret romance between Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles. What was it actually about?

Tebey: I've heard that rumor too. The internet can be weird sometimes. But I can guarantee you the song is not about Harry and Louis. The song was written over two days here in Nashville and wasn't even meant for One Direction. It's funny how songs find a home where you least expect.

Songfacts: Jumping ahead to more recently, Joe Nichols cut your song "I Got Friends That Do." What's the story behind that tune?

Tebey: Again, that song wasn't written with any particular artist in mind. I had been sitting on the title "I Got Friends That Do" for well over a year, and eventually wrote it with my longtime producer Danick Dupelle, and main co-writer Jimmy Thow. And the fact that Joe turned it into a duet by bringing in Blake Shelton was so awesome. To hear two of the best singers in country music sing something I wrote still blows my mind.

Songfacts: You've mentioned that you don't think of a particular artist while you're writing a song, which must make it pretty interesting to see who ends up recording it. What song/artist pairing has been the most unexpected so far?

Tebey: Cher. Hands down. I remember writing "Take It Like A Man" while in the south of England on a writing trip. We originally were aiming for a British girl group called The Saturdays, but their record company A&R passed on it. About a year later, the song somehow found its way to Cher's management team in LA, and the rest is history. That song reached #2 on the Billboard Dance Chart.

Songfacts: As someone who's developed several strong songwriting partnerships, what would you say is the most important quality to look for in a co-writer?

Tebey: Someone who complements your weaknesses. I write lyrics, but I wouldn't say I'm the best lyricist. So, I love working with people who do that well.

Songfacts: You've often cited Max Martin as one of your songwriting heroes. What technique have you implemented in your own songwriting because of him?

Tebey: Simplicity sells. And you can never have enough hooks in a song.

Songfacts: As a mental health advocate who has weathered the ups and downs of the music industry, what advice do you have for aspiring songwriters who struggle with similar issues?

Tebey: The music business can be very debilitating for those who struggle with mental health issues. The extreme highs and lows are just part of the industry, and it affects some more than others. I know very successful songwriters who struggle tremendously with depression, myself included.

It's important to know that you really aren't alone. It's an all-too-common theme amongst creative people. As hard as it may seem, don't be afraid to confide in your fellow creatives, 'cause there's a good chance they can relate to your struggle. But I will say this: If you're a songwriter, or musician, you probably pursued a career in music because making music is fun. Never lose sight of that, 'cause depression doesn't like "fun."

August 16, 2022

More interviews:
Hardy
Catt Gravitt
Barry Dean

Photos: Emma Lee

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