Jelly Roll And Lainey Wilson Soar To No.1 With ‘Save Me’

The powerful collaboration clinched the top spot on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

By

Madeleine O’Connell

| Posted on

December 1, 2023

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2:07 pm

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Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll; Photo Courtesy Instagram

Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson’s “Save Me” duet has officially reached the No.1 spot at country radio. 

The powerful collab was most-added upon its debut to airwaves, earning a whopping 60 first-week adds on stations around the country. As of this week, the song has officially risen to the very top of Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

According to the publication, this marks Jelly Roll’s third No.1 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart and Wilson’s fourth.

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Taking Their Duet To The Stage

Jelly Roll originally recorded a solo version of the now RIAA Platinum-certified “Save Me” for his 2020 album, Self Medicated. Then, he re-released it with added vocals by Lainey Wilson following their surprise performance of the powerful duet at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards. Since then, they have gone on to perform the tune together on a number of occasions including the Season 21 finale of American Idol and during one of Jelly Roll‘s sold-out headlining shows in Austin, Texas when he surprised the audience by bringing Wilson to the stage.

Co-written by Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, alongside David Ray Stevens, “Save Me” features a display of pleading emotions as he desperately searches for help with addiction. The pair’s nearly flawless delivery elevates the tune’s vulnerable lyrics and heart-pounding message that centers around the feeling of being hopeless and “damaged beyond repair.” 

“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.

Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson; Courtesy Of The Backroad Baptism Tour
Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson; Courtesy Of The Backroad Baptism Tour

The new reimagined version of “Save Me” featuring Wilson appears on Jelly Roll’s latest albumWHITSITT 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 song received a nod for Musical Event Of The Year at the 57th Annual CMA Awards and it has now earned Jelly Roll his first-ever GRAMMY nomination in the category of Best Country Duo/Group. Additionally, he is up for Best New Artist of the Year, vying against Gracie Abrams, Fred again.., Ice Spice, Coco Jones, Noah Kahan, Victoria Monét, and The War And Treaty.

Jelly Roll Shares Tear-Filled Reaction To First GRAMMY Nomination

Upon learning of his most recent nominations, the Antioch, Tennessee native took to Instagram to share his completely unfiltered and emotional reaction with his fans. 

“I am not sure if I’ll post this or not because I’m so emotional, but the greatest honor an artist can ever hear is that they’ve been nominated for a GRAMMY. I got to hear that this morning,” he said in the video, clearly so overcome with such emotion that it was difficult to get his words out. 

Jelly Roll went on to say that he hadn’t cried this much since the day his dad died and that he made seven attempts to film his reaction before finally just giving in to the reality of his deep-seated emotions.

“I love y’all man so f**king much,” he said in conclusion. 

Jelly Roll’s headlining Backroad Baptism Tour recently came to a close after a massively successful run. Next up, he’s heading to the cities of Dallas, TX, Chicago, IL, Detroit, MI, New York, NY and more as part of the annual iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour.

He will also perform at various fests and festivals throughout 2024 including Crash My Playa, Stagecoach, Country Jam, Tailgate N’ Tallboys Iowa, and plenty more.

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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.