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.
Johnny
Cody Jinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then again in '87, cornbread, smoke fed
The Marion county line, it is time, he did his time
Thirteen of twenty served and that far outweighed his crime
He came back a wiser man, he came back to do what he'd do
He'd do it every time, it is time, he did his time
Like a smoke ring he's up and gone
But he wouldn't have to go too far
When the folks 'round here
They don't trust no law, no way
Hey run, Johnny, run, hey run, Johnny run
Hey now run now, run Johnny run
A man's worries' all he's got, a man's law don't mean a damn
To the down home southern folk who live by the law of the land
Now Uncle Sam gets their land, it's our land
No one knows who you're talkin' 'bout, no one's seen they've all gone blind
Knowin' he'll be back some day to do what he'd do, what he'd do
He'd do it every time, it is time, no more time
And they're still chasin' down old ghosts
And they're still askin' on deaf ears
But he wouldn't have to go too far
When the folks 'round here
They don't trust no law, no way
Hey run, Johnny, run, hey run, Johnny run
Hey now run now, run Johnny run
Never mind no song, keep your head down, boy
Run, Johnny run
You can rest at my place when the day is done
Hey now run Johnny, run now run, Johnny run
Hey now run now, run Johnny run
Never mind no song, keep your head down, boy
Run, Johnny run
You can rest at my place when the day is done
The song "Johnny" by Cody Jinks is a story about a man named Johnny who is constantly on the run from the law. He was incarcerated twice, the first time in 1969 for illegal alcohol distillation, and then again in 1987 for unknown reasons. He spent thirteen of his twenty-year sentence in jail, but when he was released, he was a wiser man. Yet, he still breaks the law, and the locals protect him from the authorities.
The lyrics are written in a storytelling manner, giving a glimpse of the life of a criminal on the run. Johnny is portrayed as a man who is trapped in this lifestyle, knowing the law is always after him, but he is always escaping. The folks around him help him, trusting the law of the land, indicating that certain communities and cultures may view the law or authorities differently than others. The song, in essence, captures the injustice and biases present in society.
Line by Line Meaning
Locked him up back in '69 on clear Kentucky shine
In 1969 he was arrested for the crimes he committed while under the influence of clear Kentucky shine.
Then again in '87, cornbread, smoke fed
He was arrested once again in 1987, this time for his involvement in the production and distribution of cornbread and drugs.
The Marion county line, it is time, he did his time
He served time in jail on the Marion County line and it was necessary for him to serve his time in order to make amends for his actions.
Thirteen of twenty served and that far outweighed his crime
He served 13 years of his 20-year sentence, which is considered to be a harsher punishment than his crime warranted.
He came back a wiser man, he came back to do what he'd do
He learned from his experiences in jail and returned with the intention of continuing his previous lifestyle.
He'd do it every time, it is time, he did his time
He was committed to his lifestyle and knew that he would end up returning to jail eventually, since that was the price he had to pay for his actions.
When they came bustin' in last year
Last year, law enforcement authorities arrived at his location in an attempt to arrest him.
Like a smoke ring he's up and gone
He quickly disappeared just like a smoke ring, leaving no trace behind.
But he wouldn't have to go too far
He did not have to travel far to hide from the law, since the local residents did not trust or cooperate with law enforcement.
When the folks 'round here
The locals who live in the area surrounding his hiding spot.
They don't trust no law, no way
They don’t trust law enforcement authorities and are not interested in helping them apprehend Johnny.
A man's worries' all he's got, a man's law don't mean a damn
To the local residents, their own worries are more important than the law implemented by their government.
To the down home southern folk who live by the law of the land
The southern residents of this area follow the rules and regulations of their own society rather than those imposed by their government.
Now Uncle Sam gets their land, it's our land
Despite their self-governance and adherence to their own laws, the government takes over their lands and claims them as their own.
No one knows who you're talkin' 'bout, no one's seen they've all gone blind
No locals want to give the authorities any information about Johnny, since they consider it their moral duty to reject government intervention.
Knowin' he'll be back some day to do what he'd do, what he'd do
Johnny will definitely return since he is bound to repeat his actions.
He'd do it every time, it is time, no more time
He is determined to commit his crimes again even if it means he will have to go to jail once more.
And they're still chasin' down old ghosts
The authorities are still trying to catch those fugitives who have chosen to go off the grid and remain out of sight.
And they're still askin' on deaf ears
Despite their efforts, law enforcement has been met with deaf ears from locals who do not want to assist them in any way.
Never mind no song, keep your head down, boy
There is no need to worry about any negative image that could be put out by the locals and law enforcement agents around here.
Run, Johnny run
Run away and avoid getting caught at all costs.
You can rest at my place when the day is done
I offer you a safe place to rest and stay when you need it.
Contributed by Arianna Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dakota
on Loud and Heavy
I love the meaning behind songs and not just the music and Cody jinks songs are all of the above!
Ernie
on Loud and Heavy
Duh