Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson Set to Take Country Radio By Storm With Collaborative Hit, ‘Save Me’
The tune appears on Jelly Roll’s latest album.
Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson; Photo Courtesy of Sebron Snyder for PMC
Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson are gearing up to send their collaborative recording of “Save Me” to country radio.
Radio insider, Chris Owen took to Twitter to report that their duet will officially impact airwaves on September 5. He also revealed that the song has been climbing the charts for the past 12 weeks and has already reached the No. 46 spot on Billboard Country Airplay.
Heading To Country Radio
Jelly Roll originally recorded a solo version of the now RIAA Platinum-certified “Save Me” for his 2020 album, Self Medicated. Then, the genre-bending hitmaker brought the song to life in a new way at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards when he welcomed Wilson on stage to help him deliver the powerful ballad.
“Love you forever for this Lainey,” Jelly Roll wrote on social media at the time, showcasing his appreciation for Wilson.
This performance acted as the pair’s unveiling of the new collaborative version of “Save Me,” which dropped shortly after.
Together with the Bell Bottom Country queen, the “Need A Favor” singer pours his heart out through the vulnerable lyrics that uncover a deep revelation of feeling hopeless and “damaged beyond repair.”
The pair of country singer/songwriters flawlessly combine their signature vocals throughout the emotionally charged tune in perfect harmony.
“All of this drinkin’ and smokin’ is hopeless / But feel like it’s all that I need / Somethin’ inside of me’s broken / I hold on to anything that sets me free / I’m a lost cause / Baby don’t waste your time on me / I’m so damaged beyond repair / Life has shattered my hopes and my dreams,” they sing on the chorus.
Listen
Following the live debut of the newly imagined track at the 2023 ACM Awards, Wilson and Jelly Roll brought the song to the stage once again during the Season 21 American Idol finale in May.
Documentary
“Save Me” also serves as the title track of Jelly Roll’s documentary, which premiered May 30 on Hulu. The ABC News-produced project delivers an unfiltered behind-the-scenes look into Jelly Roll’s raw story that finds him transitioning from an incarcerated teen to an adult.
“I mean, we got gritty, we got in the trenches together. We let [the producers] get access to the stuff that artists are afraid to let people get access to,” Jelly Roll told ABC ahead of the release. “And we told the truth. I’m nervous, but I am excited.”
The project features exclusive access, never-before-seen tour footage, and interviews with the musician and those closest to him. Viewers see a glimpse into how the star balances life on tour with his philanthropic work, including visiting the juvenile detention facility where he was incarcerated. With a desire to inspire others to make a change in their lives, Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, shares his personal trials and tribulations throughout the film.
“My whole mission in life is to touch people. I just want to help people, man. I want to help those that feel helpless because I felt helpless for so long. And I think this documentary is really going to get into the weeds of that,” Jelly Roll shared.
New Album Out Now
The new reimagined version of “Save Me” featuring Wilson appears on Jelly Roll’s new album, WHITSITT CHAPEL, which arrived on June 2, 2023.
Named after the church the Antioch native grew up attending, the project features 13 tracks, including his current single “NEED A FAVOR” and the previously released tracks, “SHE” and “Unalive.”
The collection also features two other collaborations in addition to his recording with Wilson. Brantley Gilbert and Struggle Jennings join Jelly Roll on “Behind Bars” while Yelawolf is featured on “Unlive.”
“This album is about growth and gratitude happening in my life. I wanted to create a project that felt hopeful. I believe the worst feeling a person can have is feeling hopeless or worthless. This is therapeutic music. Real music for real people with real problems,” Jelly Roll shared in a previous statement.
On Tour Now
Jelly Roll is currently showcasing his impressive music catalog on the road throughout his Backroad Baptism Tour.
Hosted by Josh Adam Meyers, the 43-city trek kicked off on July 28 with a sold-out show at Bank Plus Amphitheater in Southaven, Mississippi. The massive headlining tour will includes stops in Cincinnati, OH, Indianapolis, IN, Charleston, WV, Lexington, KY and more become coming to an end on Saturday, October 14 in Tampa, FL at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre.
Additionally, the massive headlining tour runs through Saturday, October 14, where the trek will wrap up in Tampa, Florida at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre.
In the midst of his headlining tour, Jelly Roll will also serve as support on several dates of Eric Church’s The Outsiders Revival Tour.
His next performance is scheduled for Friday, August 25 in Omaha, NE. For more information on Jelly Roll’s tour, visit his official website HERE.
Written by
Madeleine O’Connell
Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.