Colin Stough Teases Debut Single “I Still Talk To Jesus” After Advancing To Top 3 On ‘American Idol’

“It can be really hard to find people you can talk to and this song is a reminder that you will always have that one source who is always with you,” Stough explained of his debut single.

By

Andrew Wendowski

Andrew Wendowski is the Founder and CEO of Music Mayhem. As a 29-year-old entrepreneur, he oversees content as the Editor-In-Chief for the independent brand. Wendowski, who splits time between Philadelphia, Penn., and Nashville, Tenn., has an extensive background in multimedia. Before launching Music Mayhem in 2014, he worked as a highly sought-after photojournalist and tour photographer, collaborating with such labels as Interscope Records and Republic Records. He has captured photos of some of the biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Harry Styles, P!NK, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Shania Twain, and hundreds more. Wendowski’s photos and freelance work have appeared nationwide and can be seen everywhere from ad campaigns to various publications, including Billboard and Rolling Stone. When Wendowski isn’t running Music Mayhem, he enjoys spending time at concerts, traveling, and capturing photos.

Editorial Policy

|

Posted on May 16, 2023

Share on:

Colin Stough; Photo Courtesy of American Idol/ABC

Colin Stough is gearing up to release his debut single, “I Still Talk To Jesus,” which arrives on Friday (May 19).

Just three days ahead of the tune’s release, the American Idol finalist took to social media to share a 22-second snippet of his first original song.

“Here’s a little snippet of “I Still Talk To Jesus” that drops this Friday.🤘…Get ready y’all!!!” Colin Stough wrote on Twitter. 

Listen To A Snippet Of Colin Stough’s Debut Single “I Still Talk To Jesus” Below

Of the track, Stough explained, “It can be really hard to find people you can talk to and this song is a reminder that you will always have that one source who is always with you.” 


“I still talk to Jesus even though he doesn’t listen / I’m afraid to know that I’m alone,” Stough sings in the acoustic preview clip.

The song is available for pre-save/pre-add now HERE.

Colin Stough Made The Top 3 On American Idol

The single announcement comes just days after Colin Stough made the Top 3 on American Idol alongside Iam Tongi and Colin Stough.

“WOW. Tonight was truly a magical experience on #DisneyNight. I made it to the #TOP3 of @AmericanIdol and I’m headed to the finale! Thank you so much for your support and votes!” Stough shared after earning a spot in the Idol finale.

A Standout Idol Contestant

Colin Stough, a aspiring musician and horseback rider from Mississippi, has been a standout contestant on American Idol since he auditioned on for the show with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man.” 

At the time of his audition, Stough admitted, “this competition man, it could change my life.” 

The Idol judges and America immediately fell in love with Stough’s impressive country vocals after hearing him sing “Simple Man.” 

“Colin, you’ve got the magic in you… 100% and you got the stardust,” Katy Perry gushed, while Luke Bryan admitted, “that’s what American Idol is about, right there! I love it!” 

Bryan later added, “[Colin is] exactly what we hope and dream for at American Idol.” 

Colin Stough; Photo Courtesy of ABC/American Idol
Colin Stough; Photo Courtesy of ABC/American Idol

After his audition, Colin Stough went on to sing songs such as “Cold” by Chris Stapleton, “Midnight Train To Memphis” by The SteelDrivers, “Pretty Heart” by Parker McCollum, “Dancing On My Own” by Robyn, “Midnight Rider” by The Allman Brothers, “It’s Been While” by Staind, “Hand In My Pocket” by Alanis Morissette and more.

Mother’s Day Tribute Performance

Most recently, Colin Stough took to the American Idol stage during Disney night to cover Sheryl Crow’s “Real Gone” from the Cars’ soundtrack, a performance that served as a tribute to his mom, Nara, in honor of Mother’s Day. 

“So for this round I’m actually singing ‘Real Gone’ by Sheryl Crow and it’s actually in my favorite movie, Cars. Growing up I just always watched Cars and I mean, I still do. I probably watched the movie twice a month,” he revealed at the time. “I connect to the lyrics of the song. There’s one line ‘mama taught me wrong from right’ that’s a standout line to me.”

“My relationship with my mom means everything. It means even more that she got to come out to Disneyland with me and enjoy this,” he added. 

Disney Night

He also performed “Nobody Knows” from the Disney film, Pete’s Dragon.

Both of his performances earned praise from the Idol judges, who also offered the singer a standing ovation.

“We’ve been wanting you to get real comfortable all year and I didn’t realize that a Cars’ song was going to get you that pumped. That’s the most you really let loose, had fun… great song choice,” Luke Bryan said. 

Lionel Richie complimented his newfound confidence, “I mean it when I say this, the comfort zone was perfect, your attitude and more importantly I think your confidence… your confidence was sitting right out here so we could all see it.” 

Colin Stough; Photo Courtesy of American Idol/ABC
Colin Stough; Photo Courtesy of American Idol/ABC

Katy Perry told Colin Stough she thought he “sounded great” and gushed over his showmanship.

“Colin, you came out looking like an electric guitar and you started behind the microphone stand and I was like ‘please God, just let him get out of that’ and you did. You did, you took that risk. You finally did exactly what we’ve been wanting and it looked so good on you.”

American Idol Finale

Colin Stough, Megan Danielle, Iam Tongi; Photo Courtesy of American Idol/ABC
Colin Stough, Megan Danielle, Iam Tongi; Photo Courtesy of American Idol/ABC

Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle and Colin Stough will face off for the title of American Idol champion during the three-hour season finale of American Idol on Sunday, May 21 at 8 pm ET.

Live from Hollywood, the finale will feature performances by the judges, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie, as well as guest performers Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard, Ellie Goulding, James Blunt, Jazmine Sullivan, Jelly Roll, Keith Urban (who is also mentoring Top 3), Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon, Kylie Minogue, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Daigle, Pitbull, and TLC.

Share on:

Tagged with:

Written by

Andrew Wendowski is the Founder and CEO of Music Mayhem. As a 29-year-old entrepreneur, he oversees content as the Editor-In-Chief for the independent brand. Wendowski, who splits time between Philadelphia, Penn., and Nashville, Tenn., has an extensive background in multimedia. Before launching Music Mayhem in 2014, he worked as a highly sought-after photojournalist and tour photographer, collaborating with such labels as Interscope Records and Republic Records. He has captured photos of some of the biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Harry Styles, P!NK, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Shania Twain, and hundreds more. Wendowski’s photos and freelance work have appeared nationwide and can be seen everywhere from ad campaigns to various publications, including Billboard and Rolling Stone. When Wendowski isn’t running Music Mayhem, he enjoys spending time at concerts, traveling, and capturing photos.

See more posts from Andrew Wendowski