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Call Me Maybe

"Call Me Maybe" is a 2011 pop song recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"Call Me Maybe" is a 2011 pop song recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen. Released as the lead single from her EP *Curiosity* and later included on her album *Kiss*, it became a major international hit and one of the best-selling singles of 2012. The song is described as the best-selling song globally in that year and the best-selling domestic Canadian single in history.

Background and release

"Call Me Maybe" was first released in Canada in 2011 as the lead single from Jepsen's EP *Curiosity*. It was later included on *Kiss*, extending its reach beyond the original EP release.

Commercial performance

The song became a global hit in 2012, topping sales charts and becoming one of the year’s most successful singles. Sources describe it as the best-selling song worldwide in 2012 and the best-selling domestic Canadian single in history.

Songwriting and production

The song was written by Carly Rae Jepsen with Josh Ramsay and Tavish Crowe, and produced by Josh Ramsay. It began as a folk song before being reshaped into a pop recording.

Cultural impact

The track became a viral pop phenomenon, widely associated with lip-sync videos, online sharing, and mainstream media attention. It is frequently cited as the breakthrough that made Jepsen an international star.

Key facts

  • The song was released in Canada on September 20, 2011, as the lead single from Jepsen's EP *Curiosity*.
  • It later appeared on Jepsen's second studio album, *Kiss*.
  • The song became a worldwide commercial success and was the top-selling song globally in 2012.
  • Britannica identifies it as the biggest-selling song in the world in 2012 and the best-selling domestic Canadian single in history.
  • The lyrics describe a flirtatious approach to a romantic interest and are commonly framed as a song about attraction at first sight.
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Canadian context

The song was released by a Canadian artist and is widely described as the best-selling domestic Canadian single in history, making it especially significant in Canadian pop music.

Frequently asked questions

Who sings "Call Me Maybe"?
It is performed by Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen.
When was "Call Me Maybe" released?
It was released in Canada on September 20, 2011.
What album is "Call Me Maybe" on?
It appears on Jepsen's EP *Curiosity* and later on her album *Kiss*.
Who wrote "Call Me Maybe"?
The song was written by Carly Rae Jepsen, Josh Ramsay, and Tavish Crowe.
Was "Call Me Maybe" a commercial success?
Yes. It became one of the most successful singles of 2012 and was described as the best-selling song globally that year.

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Call-Me-Maybe
    Supports: Artist, release context, global success, and status as best-selling domestic Canadian single
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Carly-Rae-Jepsen
    Supports: Carly Rae Jepsen identity, Canadian background, and the song's sales achievements
  3. Songfacts — https://www.songfacts.com/facts/carly-rae-jepsen/call-me-maybe
    Supports: Song premise and global sales claim for 2012
  4. Simple English Wikipedia — https://www.simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_Me_Maybe
    Supports: Release date, EP and album inclusion, writers, producer, and genre