Jelly Roll Reflects On Life-Changing ‘Need A Favor’ As It Dominates Country Radio Charts
This marks Jelly Roll’s second No.1 at country radio.
Jelly Roll; Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for CMA
Jelly Roll earned his second consecutive No.1 with “NEED A FAVOR.”
The chart-topping hit, which claimed the top spot on the Mediabase Country Airplay chart and Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, follows his first-ever No. 1 hit at Country radio, “Son Of A Sinner.”
According to Luminate, the tune climbed to the top of the Billboard Country Airplay chart (dated August 12) with 32.9 million audience impressions between July 28 and August 3.
“A second No. 1 at Country radio is something I wouldn’t have even allowed myself to dream about,” Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, told Billboard of his latest No. 1 hit.
“‘NEED A FAVOR’ has absolutely changed my life. It’s been incredible to watch the fan reaction and see what’s happening out there on the road. Thank you to everyone who has continued to believe in this song, and to country radio for supporting therapeutic music. I’ve seen firsthand the impact the music continues to have with people across the country.”
In addition to climbing to the top of the Country Airplay chart, the tune also crossed over to the pop genre and is currently sitting at No. 22 on Billboard’s Adult Pop Airplay chart.
In June of 2023, Jelly Roll performed the song at the 2023 CMA Fest and was brought to tears.
He later took to social media to commemorate the milestone moment.
“If you listen closely, you can hear my voice shaking the first half of the song— I was trembling I was so nervous. 65,000 people in my hometown stadium- the same stadium my father took me to every Sunday for Titans games – the same Stadium I’ve been taking my daughter to since she was a baby,” he wrote. “Thank you CMA fest for letting me be a part of your 50th anniversary – I have literally been going to “Fan Fair” since I was a child. This night was unbelievable… to hear 65k people “and God I need a Favor” in unison like one voice.”
He went on to admit that hearing that the song topped the charts is “almost unbelievable.”
“Speaking of NEED A FAVOR- I can officially say it is the #1 song on Country Radio right now. There is no greater achievement in this town than being #1 in country radio. The fact this is my 2nd number one at Country Radio this year makes if almost unbelievable to me to be honest – and this same song also held 3 weeks at number 1 on Rock radio. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any wilder y’all continue to amaze me. Thank y’all – this has been an unreal year.”
Co-written by Jelly Roll (whose real name is Jason DeFord) alongside Austin Nivarel, Joe Ragosta and Rob Ragosta, “NEED A FAVOR” finds the hitmaker telling the story of a man coming face to face with his demons and nearly losing the person he loves the most, and with nowhere left to turn he sends prayers up to God for a saving grace.
“I only talk to God when I need a favor / And I only pray when I ain’t got a prayer / So, who the hell am I, who the hell am I / To expect a Savior o-o-oh / If I only talk to God when I need a favor / But God I need a favor,” Jelly Roll sings on the tune’s chorus.
“NEED A FAVOR” appears on Jelly Roll’s debut full-length country record, WHITSITT CHAPEL, which arrived on June 2 via BMG/Stoney Creek Records. The project, named after the church the Antioch native grew up attending, features 13 tracks and debuted at the top of the Billboard Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart and at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Album chart.
“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 previously shared in a statement.
WHITSITT CHAPEL also includes three collaborations. Brantley Gilbert and Struggle Jennings joined Jelly Roll on “Behind Bars” and Yelawolf is featured on “Unlive,” while Lainey Wilson teamed up with the 38-year-old hitmaker to recreate his fan-favorite tune, “Save Me.”
The genre-bending star’s latest chart-topping hit comes on the heels of the launch of his 44-date headlining Backroad Baptism Tour, which kicked off on July 28 with a sold out show at Bank Plus Amphitheater in Southaven, Mississippi.
Additionally, the massive headlining tour runs through Saturday, October 14, where the trek will wrap up in Tampa, Florida at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre.
Hosted by Josh Adam Meyers, Jelly Roll’s Backroad Baptism Tour features support from Ashley McBryde, Caitlynne Curtis, Chase Rice, Elle King, Merkules, Struggle Jennings, Three 6 Mafia and Yelawolf on select dates.
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.
For a complete list of tour dates, visit Jelly Roll’s official website HERE.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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