Kane Brown and Jelly Roll are baring their souls like never before in a powerful new collaboration that’s already striking a chord with fans around the world.
Their haunting track, fittingly titled “Haunted,” dives headfirst into the shadows—tackling depression, loneliness, and the invisible weight that so many carry in silence. With raw, emotional lyrics and chilling vulnerability, these two country powerhouses prove that even fame, fortune, and sold-out arenas can’t shield you from the demons that lurk within.
“This song is personal,” Brown admitted. “It’s about everything I go through—and what I know a lot of people are silently going through too.” From lyrics about waking up in cold sweats in a California king bed to the hollowness behind the glitz of superstardom, “Haunted” strips away the polished image and shows the unfiltered reality of mental health struggles. Brown’s confession is brutally honest: “They say I’m a superstar, but I still got this feeling in my bones… part of me is feeling like a ghost.”
Then comes Jelly Roll, whose verse hits just as hard. His words reveal the deep toll of fame and the numbing cycle of self-doubt: “If I’m being real… I think I was happier when I couldn’t pay the bills.” He questions whether the spotlight is worth the pain, admitting that despite the success, he still feels lost—and maybe even more alone than ever.
The chorus pulls no punches. Together, they sing:
“I’m haunted by the voice in my head / Haunted by the taste of that lead / Wanted too many times to jump off of the edge / Thinkin’ I was better off dead.”
It’s heavy. It’s haunting. But it’s also honest—and that’s what makes it so important.
The song, written while the two were on tour in Europe in 2023, comes with a deeply moving music video directed by Alex Alvga. The visuals capture Brown and Jelly Roll confronting their demons in the shadows of empty rooms and lonely highways—symbolizing the mental isolation that lingers even when you’re surrounded by the noise of the world.
This isn’t the first time Brown has opened up about mental health. In 2021, his emotional duet “Memory” with blackbear tackled the stigma of anxiety and depression. With “Haunted,” however, he goes even deeper—offering a brutally candid look into what it’s like to battle darkness while the world watches.
The new single is part of Brown’s latest album, The High Road, released on January 24 via Sony Music Nashville. The 18-track project is his most personal to date, featuring collaborations with Marshmello, Khalid, Brad Paisley, and his wife, Katelyn Brown. But “Haunted” stands out as one of the most emotionally powerful tracks on the album.
“This album is a full reflection of who I am,” Brown said. “And Haunted is the song that shows the side most people don’t see.”
Fans will get the chance to experience this emotional journey live on The High Road Tour, which kicked off March 13 in San Diego and runs through July 10 in Chicago. The tour features special guests like Mitchell Tenpenny, Scotty McCreery, Ashley Cooke, and Dasha on select dates.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you are not alone. Reach out—help is available. Call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
