4 of the Most Inspirational Jelly Roll Lyrics

Jelly Roll has proven himself to be one of the most inspirational country acts around. Go to one of his concerts. In the first five minutes you’ll be oriented to just how affecting his lyrics can be. Below, find four lyrics from some of Jelly Roll’s top songs that are tailor-made to motivate the listener.

[RELATED: Behind the Meaning of Jelly Roll’s ‘Twisters’ Soundtrack Inclusion, “Dead End Road”]

4 of the Most Inspirational Jelly Roll Lyrics

1. I know I can’t be the only one / Who’s holding on for dear life / But God knows, I know / When it’s all said and done / I’m not okay / But it’s all gonna be alright (“I Am Not Okay”)

Everyone runs into hard times every once in a while. It can be tempting to wallow in that feeling, sinking further and further down. With “I Am Not Okay,” Jelly Roll offers a helping hand. He tells us that, though he’s not okay right now, things will eventually turn out alright. It’s a comforting statement for anyone in a similar situation.

2. ‘Cause that highway to hell is the road I’m on / I need to turn around before I’m too far gone / If I’m ever gonna make it on them streets of gold / I gotta quit livin’ on a dead end road (“Dead End Road”)

Jelly Roll recently released his inclusion on the soundtrack for the buzzy blockbuster Twisters. “Dead End Road” sees him continue a conversation he’s laid out in prior offerings: finding a way to change his life for the better. In the lines above, he recognizes that he’s gunning for a bad fate. There are necessary changes he has to make in order to avoid it.

It’s a reality check for the listener. While admitting he’s made some of the wrong choices, he inadvertently holds a mirror up to all of us and makes us reckon with our choices.

3. 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? / If I only talk to God when I need a favor / But God, I need a favor (“Need a Favor”)

Jelly Roll is never shy about expressing his faith. It’s a guiding light in his lyrics that pushes him to higher ground. In “Need a Favor,” he wags a finger at himself for only praying when he needs something. Though not everyone will be able to relate to the country singer’s faith, we can all be guilty of asking for a lot (from whatever source we deem necessary) and not giving anything back. With this song, Jelly Roll helps us to pause and fix that mentality.

4. Halfway to Heaven or halfway to hell / My angels and demons at war with myself / One foot in the fire and I still can’t tell. Am I halfway to Heaven / Halfway to Heaven or hell (“Halfway To Hell”)

Part of what makes Jelly Roll so inspirational isn’t his explicit advice. Often times, it’s his unflinching approach to his short comings that sets an example.

We are all flawed. While some artists choose to push back at that idea, Jelly Roll leans in. In “Halfway To Hell,” he confesses that he doesn’t know exactly where he stands on the cosmic scales. Is he good or bad? All of us are left to ponder that question at one point or another. Though the likely answer is somewhere in the middle, most of us don’t like to live in a gray area. Jelly Roll revels in the space in this song, accepting his humanity.

(Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images)