Bloodline lyrics A⁠l⁠e⁠x W⁠a⁠r⁠r⁠e⁠n | Album: You’ll Be Alright, Kid

bloodline Lyrics by Alex Warren

Take that pain, pass it down like bottles on the wall
Momma said her dad's to blame but that's his daddy's fault
Oh, there's no one left to call
You stay up counting down the days 'til you make your escape
But you're afraid you can't outrun what's running through your veins
Oh, you're carrying the weight

[Pre-Chorus: Alex Warren]
In the dead of night, on that broken road
I won't let you walk alone

[Chorus: Alex Warren & Jelly Roll]
Oh, my brother
You don't have to follow in your bloodline
Oh, we got each other
And if you got tomorrow, then you still got time
To break the chain that left you scarred
From where you came isn't who you are
Oh, my brother
You don't have to follow in your bloodlinе

[Verse 2: Jelly Roll]
Oh, I won't pretend that I know half the hеll you've seen
But that don't mean that's something that you're destined to repeat
Oh, you're stronger than you think
I know it has to end, but you don't know where to start
You can pack your bags and I'll meet you where you are
Oh, I'll be waiting in the car

Song Overview

Song Credits

• Producer: Adam Yaron
• Writers: Adam Yaron, Alex Warren, Jelly Roll
• Mastering Engineer: Nathan Dantzler
• A&R Administrator: Aryanna Platt
• Background Vocals: Adam Yaron, CAL, Mags Duval
• Drum Programmer: Adam Yaron
• Engineer: Adam Yaron & CAL
• Instruments: Piano, Mandolin, Guitar, Bass, Banjo
• Label: Atlantic Records
• Genre: Country Pop, Stomp and Holler, Duet
• Language: English
• Release Date: 2025-05-22
• Album: You’ll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 2)

Song Meaning and Annotations

Bloodline by Alex Warren and Jelly Roll is a sturdy, heartfelt ballad dressed in modern country-pop hues. It's a somber campfire song for the lost, the burdened, and the brave — the kind of tune you could imagine echoing off an empty freeway at 2 a.m., or whispered during a tearful confession between brothers.

Family Legacy and the Chains That Bind

Alex Warren opens with a stark lament:

Take that pain, pass it down like bottles on the wall

The imagery evokes generations of trauma, traded like heirlooms in a dysfunctional family. The line feels weighty, like it’s been fermenting in silence. It’s personal, but universal — the kind of pain that doesn't show up in photo albums.

Then comes the realization:

But you're afraid you can't outrun what's running through your veins

Here lies the emotional nucleus of Bloodline — the fear that identity is inescapable, that we’re doomed to become carbon copies of our predecessors. This song is about recognizing that fear, staring it down, and refusing to let it win.

Brotherhood and Redemption

The chorus hits like a promise made in firelight:

Oh, my brother / You don't have to follow in your bloodline

It’s a gentle revolution — the kind where arms open instead of guns, where companionship is the escape route from a generational prison. Jelly Roll adds gritty gravitas to the second verse, grounding the story in lived-in pain and resilience.

He doesn’t claim to understand it all:

Oh, I won't pretend that I know half the hell you've seen

But he offers what he can — presence, empathy, and a waiting car. It's a deeply Southern kind of comfort: part tough love, part gospel promise.

Hope as a Sacred Rebellion

The bridge delivers the most uplifting blow:

The storm keeps on raging, but don't you forget / God's not done with you yet

It’s spiritual without being dogmatic, echoing country music’s tradition of faith-fueled resilience. Hope isn’t handed over lightly here — it’s fought for, it’s clung to with white knuckles.

Similar Songs

1. "Drink a Beer" – Luke Bryan
   This country ballad also meditates on loss, grief, and the quiet moments of mourning. Where “Bloodline” seeks to prevent future trauma, “Drink a Beer” mourns what’s already gone. The vibe is more solitary, but the emotional root — grappling with inherited pain — is hauntingly similar.
2. "Need a Favor" – Jelly Roll
   Jelly Roll’s solo hit shares not only a voice with “Bloodline” but its spiritual underpinning. Both tracks frame redemption as an ongoing battle, fought through self-awareness and support. “Need a Favor” leans more into faith and guilt, but the emotional palette overlaps like bruises from the same fall.
3. "The Good Ones" – Gabby Barrett
   A more optimistic counterpart, this song celebrates those who break the mold — “the good ones” who prove that love, not lineage, defines a person. It’s the resolution to “Bloodline’s” problem: proof that escape from a damaging past isn’t just possible — it’s real.

Questions and Answers

What is the main message of "Bloodline"?

It tells listeners that family trauma does not determine identity. The song offers solidarity and support in breaking toxic cycles.

Is "Bloodline" based on Alex Warren's personal experiences?

Though not confirmed, the rawness of his verses suggests deep personal resonance. The themes of inherited pain reflect his documented struggles with family and loss.

Why was Jelly Roll chosen for this collaboration?

Jelly Roll brings grit, gospel influence, and emotional depth that complements Alex’s vulnerability. Their voices form a yin-yang of hurt and hope.

What musical elements stand out in the song?

The instrumentation blends acoustic country textures with subtle pop polish. The banjo and mandolin evoke Americana roots, while the stomping rhythm gives it momentum.

What genre is "Bloodline" classified under?

It sits at the intersection of Country Pop and “Stomp and Holler” — a subgenre marked by strong rhythms and anthemic choruses.

Fan and Media Reactions

"This song hit me so hard. Been trying to escape my father's shadow for years." – YouTube user @HeartlandSoul

"Jelly Roll never misses. He brings truth and power to everything he touches." – YouTube user @SouthernRhythm

"I had to pause this halfway through because I started crying. Thank you for this." – YouTube user @BurntToastAndCoffee

"You don’t have to follow in your bloodline — that line alone changed my day." – YouTube user @DesertSkyMomma

"More songs like this. Country music with real heart and honesty." – YouTube user @MidnightRider

Critics and fans alike are calling Bloodline a defining collaboration — one that fuses raw honesty with healing energy. Some have dubbed it an "anthem for the wounded but not broken."

Additional Information:

• Live Premiere: "Bloodline" was first performed live during Jelly Roll’s headline set at Stagecoach 2025 in April, where Alex Warren made a surprise appearance to debut the collaboration.
• Viral Launch: Shortly after the performance, Alex Warren and Jelly Roll posted humorous snippets of the studio version on social media, which quickly went viral on TikTok.
• Early Release: Although the official release date was Friday, May 23rd, the duo surprised fans by making it available for streaming a day early — on Thursday, May 22nd at 3 PM PST / 6 PM EST.
• Influences: Alex Warren cited the late Avicii as an inspiration behind the sound, especially referencing the folk-EDM blend of tracks like “Wake Me Up” and “Hey Brother.” He stated, “I’m just trying to make Avicii proud with this one.”
• Sound Description: The track blends atmospheric guitar riffs and strong drum patterns with an uptempo, folk-infused feel. It has a choral, anthem-like chorus that drives the hopeful message home.
• Spiritual Undertones: While not overtly religious, the lyrics — especially lines like “God’s not done with you yet” — suggest a spiritual layer that reflects Warren’s appreciation for worship music.
• Artist Commentary: Alex Warren joked about release secrecy, saying:

“I would leak the song too... I would do that.” – Alex Warren, in an interview with Ricki Sanchez on 107.5 The River