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.
Holy Water
Cody Jinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Around people I can't even name
I keep on passing church steeples
Praying that my God is still the same
I been wandering like a fool too blind to see
Maybe it ain't the bottle that I need
I need a shot of holy water
And burn 'em just a little bit hotter
I've been having drinks with the devil in this neon town
I need a shot of holy water to wash it down
Lost in a land of smoke and mirrors
I do my best to just stay clear of my yesterdays
I've been running so long, now I'm running from myself
Tired of running away
I'm still tryin' to get through to the man I wanna be
Maybe I'm not so gone that I can't see
I need a shot of holy water
I need it to chase down my demons
And burn 'em just a little bit hotter
I've been having drinks with the devil in this neon town
I need a shot of holy water to wash it down
I need a shot of holy water
I need a shot of holy water
I need a shot of holy water
I need a shot of holy water
I need a shot of holy water
I need it to chase down my demons
And burn 'em just a little bit hotter
I've been having drinks with the devil in this neon town
I need a shot of holy water to wash it down
(Holy, holy water)
I need a shot of holy water
(Holy, holy water)
I need a shot of holy water
(Holy, holy water)
(Holy, holy water)
(Holy, holy water)
(Holy, holy water)
(Holy, holy water)
In Cody Jinks’ song “Holy Water,” the singer shares his struggles with addiction, his inner demons, and his search for spiritual healing. He admits to feeling lost in a world of smoke and mirrors and being unable to recognize the people around him. He likens his pain to constantly walking on pins and needles around these strangers. Then, he seeks a religious solution to his problems. He discusses his desire for a shot of holy water to chase down his demons, burn them hotter, and ultimately wash them away.
The lyrics are a poignant reminder of the importance of faith in overcoming addiction and personal struggles. While the song’s title alludes to “holy water” as a cure-all remedy, it is obvious Jinks is searching for deeper healing that only faith can bring. The song shows the struggle of the human condition, of losing one’s way and trying to find a pathway back to the light. The metaphors used in the lyrics are impactful and simply expressed, making them all the more relatable.
Overall, “Holy Water” touches on themes of addiction, seeking redemption, and finding oneself. As a powerful country song, it is a celebration of people who have struggled with addiction and are trying to find their way to the light. Ultimately, it is a song about recognizing one’s own pain and taking steps towards healing.
Line by Line Meaning
I walk around on pins and needles
I am constantly anxious and uneasy around people I do not know.
Around people I can't even name
I feel this anxiety around strangers and even acquaintances whose names I cannot recall.
I keep on passing church steeples
I come across churches often as I go about my day.
Praying that my God is still the same
I am hopeful that my religious beliefs and values have remained consistent.
I been wandering like a fool too blind to see
I have been lost and making mistakes without realizing their consequences.
Maybe it ain't the bottle that I need
Perhaps, my problems are not solely attributed to alcohol or substance abuse.
I need a shot of holy water
I need a spiritual cleansing and renewal to rid myself of negative influences.
I need it to chase down my demons
I seek holy water to help me confront and defeat my personal demons and vices.
And burn 'em just a little bit hotter
I hope the holy water will intensify the elimination of my demons.
I've been having drinks with the devil in this neon town
I have been indulging in unhealthy behaviors in this immoral and hectic city.
I need a shot of holy water to wash it down
I need a spiritual refreshment to counteract the negative energy and erase my worries.
Lost in a land of smoke and mirrors
I am surrounded by illusions and ambiguity, and I am struggling to find my way through it all.
I do my best to just stay clear of my yesterdays
I try to avoid dwelling on my past mistakes and regrets.
I've been running so long, now I'm running from myself
I have been evading my issues, but now I face them and must confront my true self.
Tired of running away
I am exhausted with the avoidance and am ready to face my issues.
I'm still tryin' to get through to the man I wanna be
I am still attempting to become the person I envision and desire to be.
Maybe I'm not so gone that I can't see
Perhaps, there is still hope for me despite my struggles and self-destructive tendencies.
Contributed by Muhammad H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@marktexaspatriot2527
Another huge Cody Jinks hit! Perfect timing just what people need in these times Jesus
@scottrock305
Goosebumps. You nailed it Cody.
@belindadwyer3937
I love this song!! I love Cody Jinks. ❤❤ I’m not so gone that I can’t see!!
@shannonrussell2095
🙏
@HoustonsPsychicMedium
Thank you, Cody! Hugs and love❤
@ME...22
Loving the older songs being revived...All the song's are the best ever...🧡🧡🧡 Every one of the songs are the greatest.🧡🪶
@user-bv2bu5yk2q
Makin me fall in love this time around for sure!! ❤ 👐 🙏 🔥
@maryjames2786
❤, Love this song.
God bless You...
@marjieryan7936
Yep my fav Cody tune..😊
@dorothyhensley5283
Great Song, I love all of your music 🎶