Jelly Roll Brought to Tears by Kelly Clarkson’s Powerful Cover of “Save Me”

Jelly Roll is no stranger to raw emotion in his music—but hearing Kelly Clarkson cover his song “Save Me” brought him to tears.

The Nashville-based singer-songwriter was humbled and deeply moved when Clarkson performed the emotional ballad during a Kellyoke segment on The Kelly Clarkson Show. He later shared how overwhelmed he felt hearing his personal cry for help come to life through her powerful voice.

“I cried watching it,” Jelly Roll wrote on social media. “To hear Kelly Clarkson, one of the greatest vocalists of our time, sing a song I wrote—it’s an honor I can’t even describe.”

A Song Born from Struggle

“Save Me”, released in 2020, is one of the most personal songs Jelly Roll has ever written. Known for blending rap, rock, and country, the artist—born Jason Bradley DeFord—poured his soul into the track during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown.

“I knew the way I was living wasn’t sustainable,” he told Billboard. “This was my cry for help.”

The haunting lyrics speak of addiction, self-destruction, and the desperate need for redemption:
“Somebody save me, me from myself… I’m a lost cause… I’m so damaged beyond repair.”

Jelly Roll’s own story adds even more weight to the song. Raised in Tennessee, he began getting into trouble as a teenager. By 14, he was using marijuana and caught in a cycle that eventually landed him in federal prison. He was even behind bars when his daughter Bailee was born in 2008.

But through his music—and the honesty in songs like “Save Me”—he began turning his life around.

An Unforgettable Kellyoke Moment

Clarkson’s take on the song quickly became one of the most talked-about Kellyoke covers to date. With grit in her voice and raw emotion in every note, she honored the pain behind the lyrics and gave it new life on her stage.

For Jelly Roll, it was more than just a cover—it was validation.

“I never thought I’d write a song so impactful that Kelly Clarkson would sing it,” he wrote in his post on February 15, 2024. “Thank you, Kelly. Wow.”

Fans Feel the Impact

Social media lit up with praise for both artists. Fans celebrated the moment not just as a powerful performance, but as a milestone for Jelly Roll.

“When Kelly covers your song, you know you’ve made it,” one fan tweeted. Another added, “Jelly, YOU are the reason this song touches so many. It’s your truth that people feel.”

Many also shared how “Save Me” helped them personally.

“That song saved my life,” wrote one person. “You helped me out of a dark place—and I know I’m not alone.”

More Than a Song

Jelly Roll’s story is one of redemption—and “Save Me” has become its anthem. In 2023, he released a duet version with Lainey Wilson. In 2024, Eminem even sampled the track in “Somebody Save Me.” Through every version, the message remains the same: healing is possible, even in the darkest moments.

“Save Me changed my life,” Jelly Roll told Billboard. “And seeing it connect with people gave me the strength to change.”

His emotional reaction to Clarkson’s cover wasn’t a sign of weakness—it was a testament to the power of music to heal, to connect, and to save.