Jinks is a native of Haltom City in Fort Worth, Texas, and attended Haltom High School. He started learning to play a few country music riffs on the guitar from his father when he was 16, but soon formed a heavy metal band.
Jinks started out as the lead singer of a thrash metal band from Fort Worth named Unchecked Aggression, initially named Silas, that was active from 1998 to 2003. He also played the lead guitar; the other band members were Gary Burkham on bass who left in 2000 and was replaced by Chris Lewis, Anthony Walker on drums, and Ben Heffley on guitar. They were influenced by Metallica and Pantera. An album, The Massacre Begins was released in 2002. Songs they recorded included "Hell Razor" and "Kill Me Again". The band however broke up after a trip to Los Angeles, and Jinks took a year off from music. In around 2005, he started playing country music, the music he grew up with.
Jinks is backed by The Tone Deaf Hippies. He began to release albums in the country genre in 2008. An album titled 30 was released in 2012. He began to develop his own sound in an EP, Blacksheep, which was released in 2013.
2015: Adobe Sessions
The album was recorded at the Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, and the album title was named after a small adobe room they recorded the album in. It was released in January 2015 and charted in Billboard's regional Heatseekers charts – #2 on Heatseekers South Central and #8 on Heatseekers Mountain. Jinks toured in support of Adobe Sessions as an opener for Sturgill Simpson in 2015.
2016: I'm Not the Devil
I'm Not the Devil was released on August 12, 2016. The album was recorded at the Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas. It includes a cover of Merle Haggard's "The Way I Am". The title track was written with Ward Davis; the album was almost finished and the album title had already been decided, but it was retitled with the name of the song they wrote. The album debuted at #4 on the Top Country Albums chart, selling 11,300 copies in the first week. Jinks supported I'm Not the Devil with a co-headlining tour with Whitey Morgan and the 78's in August, September, and October. The album was rated one of the best country albums of 2016 by Rolling Stone.
2017
Jinks released a cover of Pink Floyd's hit song "Wish You Were Here" in January 2017. He also re-released a remixed and remastered version of his 2010 album Less Wise, as Less Wise Modified 2017, with three bonus tracks included.
2018: Lifers
Jinks released the album Lifers on July 27, 2018, via Rounder Records. It was preceded by the lead single "Must Be the Whiskey", which was released on June 15, 2018.
2019: After the Fire and The Wanting
On October 11, 2019, Jinks released the album After the Fire. The album was independently produced and released by his own label, Late August Records, marking a departure from Rounder Records, with whom he produced 2018's Lifers. The album was preceded by two singles, "Ain't a Train" and "Think Like You Think". Jinks also promoted the song "William and Wanda", which was written about his late grandparents. For the week of October 26, 2019, the album was #2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
One week later, October 18, 2019, Jinks released a second album, The Wanting. Similar to After the Fire, the album was independently produced. It was preceded by two singles, "Same Kind of Crazy as Me" and "Which One I Feed".
On October 24, 2019, both albums held the # 1 and 2 spots for Top Albums on iTunes and Apple Music.
Birds
Cody Jinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been reading those stories about chasing the wind
I guess I've come back with one or two
I've never really quite known what to do
Tell me old man what are you looking for
Has it been worth all you've given and so much more
Sometimes the things we seek skew the point
And it makes me wonder
And it makes me want to live
So I'll steal freedom while there's still some
And take the whole world in
If I could only leave my worries with the birds of the wind
And I know one day there'll be solace
So I'll just live ‘til then
If I could only leave my worries with the birds of the wind
Old man I know you've had questions too
The same ones we've been asking of you
You just roll on back out of sight
Stealing away again like a child in the night
Still full of wonder
And you still want to live
So you steal freedom while there's still some
And take the whole world in
And you've learned to leave your worries with the birds of the wind
And you know one day there'll be solace
So you'll just live ‘til then
And you've learned to leave your worries with the birds of the wind
If I could only leave my worries with the birds of the wind
The song "Birds" by Cody Jinks is a reflective and introspective piece that delves into themes of existentialism, the human search for purpose and meaning, and the concept of freedom. The song starts off with the singer asking an elder man about his experiences in life, particularly his pursuit of something abstract and elusive - "chasing the wind". The old man responds, saying he's come back with one or two stories, but he's never quite figured out what to do with them. This exchange sets up the backdrop of the song, which is essentially a reflection of the human condition - grappling with existential questions, seeking meaning in life, and trying to find freedom amidst the chaos.
Throughout the song, the lyrics suggest a sense of disillusionment or unrest with regards to the ways in which human beings try to find purpose and meaning. The old man tells the singer that sometimes the things we seek skew our perspective, and sometimes the whole world seems out of joint because of it. Nevertheless, despite the existential angst, the song ultimately suggests a hopeful tone, with both the singer and the old man finding solace in the idea of living in the present moment, and "stealing freedom while there's still some", and learning to let go of their worries by leaving them to "the birds of the wind". In this way, the song seems to be encouraging listeners to let go of the burdens and anxieties that weigh them down, and instead focus on enjoying the present and embracing the mystery and beauty of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me old man where have you been
Asking an old man about his past experiences and whereabouts
I've been reading those stories about chasing the wind
The old man has been reading stories that inspire people to keep moving forward and chasing their dreams
I guess I've come back with one or two
The old man has learned a thing or two from the stories he's been reading
I've never really quite known what to do
Despite learning from the stories, the old man still struggles with knowing what to do with his life
Tell me old man what are you looking for
Asking the old man about his goals and desires in life
Has it been worth all you've given and so much more
Questioning whether the old man's efforts have been worth the sacrifices he's made
Sometimes the things we seek skew the point
The pursuit of certain goals can lead to losing sight of what's truly important
Sometimes the whole damn world seems out of joint
Feeling like the world is chaotic and disorganized
And it makes me wonder
Reflecting on the uncertainties of life
And it makes me want to live
Being inspired to live life to the fullest despite the uncertainty
So I'll steal freedom while there's still some
Taking advantage of the freedom and opportunities available while they still exist
And take the whole world in
Fully immersing oneself in all that life has to offer
If I could only leave my worries with the birds of the wind
Wishing for a way to let go of worries and troubles
And I know one day there'll be solace
Believing that one day there will be peace and comfort
So I'll just live ‘til then
Choosing to live in the present and make the most of each day
Old man I know you've had questions too
Acknowledging that the old man also has doubts and uncertainties
The same ones we've been asking of you
Suggesting that the old man's questions are similar to the ones being asked of him
You just roll on back out of sight
The old man disappears without fully answering the questions
Stealing away again like a child in the night
Leaving quickly and quietly, like a child sneaking away
Still full of wonder
Despite his age, the old man is still curious and fascinated by the world
And you still want to live
The old man still has a desire to live and experience all that life has to offer
And you've learned to leave your worries with the birds of the wind
The old man has found a way to let go of his worries and not let them weigh him down
If I could only leave my worries with the birds of the wind
Reiterating the desire to let go of worries and troubles
Contributed by Cooper C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@donna5636
@@codyjk he sang on the weekends in several honky tonks
In the 60’s 70’s and 80’s
He lived a very hard life. The whiskey and beer killed him. He lost the taste for alcohol after he had open heart surgery and a mechanical valve put in. He lived 6 years after that
I would go a lot on Saturday nights
But I started having my 3 babies
And it was too much
He loved me with all his heart
But alcoholism can make a man very mean and abusive
He come home and sometimes it would get real western if you know what I mean
I was 9 years younger than him. I didn’t believe in divorce. I wanted my kids to have a Dad around. And he was a awesome Dad
I heard you stopped drinking Cody
I’m so very proud of you. It’s a hard one too.
I use to drink right along with him when our kids got older we all party together with our kids once they got grown my oldest son was a bull rider for years. He said retired too many concussions thank God. None of them grew up to be alcoholics. I only have an occasional beer or a glass of wine now I don’t want to leave my kids without any parents at all, they’re 46,43 and 42 boys and a daughter that’s mean as hell no she’s a good girl. She was raised around boys and her daddy so she’s tough which is good she don’t take nothing off of nobody I guess I could go on and on and tell you my whole married life story we were married for 44 years I have since remarried, and then a little bit younger than me. He treats me like a queen before my husband passed away. It was about three months we used to pray he would lay in bed in his hospital bed and we would pray and he told me that I was too young to be by myself and then I needed to find someone to help take care of me. That would love me unconditionally and not control me. Alcoholism makes you want to control people and not in a good way oh, well I must stop. I love all your music I can relate to them all God Bless I hope to go to one of your gigs soon. I’ll find out where you’re playing and see if you rock live also lol. I have a strong sense that you do. 🙏💜✝️✡️☮️
@thfranks4707
Seeking a ghost. Got lost in the process. Patching up clipped wings so I can fly again. Beautiful lyrics & the background vocals like soft flight.
@texnewmexneen
The morning that my dad passed away a few years ago my older brother went for a walk on our family farm. He saw 6 birds flying over him…I have no idea why 6…but it reminded me of this song ❤
@featheredcoyote5477
Day after my Dad passed away in 2010, I was driving a semi from Indiana to Chicago on Highway 30. Once daylight broke, a falcon was flying on my driver's side at window height for probably 20 seconds.....I knew he was there. Believe in the spirits. Love to ya....
@texnewmexneen
@@featheredcoyote5477 Thanks for the love ❤️
@JamesLeach-tp3fu
@@featheredcoyote5477❤😢great song thanks for sharing
@deelynnhammersmithtwotomahawks
@@featheredcoyote5477We all have spirit animals, either they are with us or we are one but it's up to each individual to decide that! I believe that I have a spirit animal and it protects me! So sorry for y'all's loss! 🏹❣️🏹🙏❣️🙏 2:57
@Evan.G.Snegireff
It didn't happen with everybody else after heaven
@ShaneCollins-lr2xf
The day before my dad passed I had his favorite bird fly in the garage. I took a picture after catching it. Set it on a feeder. I knew it was close. Strange world the way nature can show what is so before we know. Miss that old buzzard!
@montana12810
I'LL BE BACK SOMEDAY. RUNN'IN AGAIN.
@bobconnell8492
I'm 66 Cody, your writing about my life.
Thank you Brother
Bob