The upcoming single features a nod toward John Denver’s 1971 track “Take Me Home, Country Roads”
Just a month after performing together at CMA Fest’s Spotify House, Machine Gun Kelly and Jelly Roll are getting ready to drop a new single. On Thursday, the pair announced single “Lonely Road,” which features a nod to John Denver’s iconic 1971 track “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
”Countdown to KellyRoll activated,” the duo wrote on Instagram, combining their names for a cheeky duo moniker. “Thanks to John Denver for paving the way.”
The short teaser sees the artists in black suits walking slowly toward a grave with mourning faces at a funeral. Quick clips also see MGK being arrested and Jelly Roll giving his wife Bunnie XO a smooch. ”Lonely road, take me home. Take me home,” MGK repeats in the video.
A collaboration between the two artists seemed imminent after CMA Fest performance in June. Jelly Roll appeared for duets of his hit “Need a Favor” and MGK’s “My Ex’s Best Friend.” MGK also played a cover of the Chicks’ hit “There’s Your Trouble” while backed by a fiddle, teasing a foray into country music.
Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” has been covered and sampled by artists numerous times throughout the years, including Olivia Newton-John. Most recently, Restless Road and Kane Brown sampled it on his song “Take Me Home” in 2020.
The new teaser also arrives as Jelly Roll dropped his song “Dead End Road” from the Twisters soundtrack on Thursday. The “Lonely Road” collaboration is MGK’s first release since revisiting Hotel Diablo with a deluxe edition earlier this month.
MGK’s last album arrived in 2022 with Mainstream Sellout, while Jelly Roll’s Whittsett Chapel released last year.