Many Texan music fans met Cody Johnson’s honest style through the radio singles from his "Six Strings, One Dream" album: "Nobody to Blame" (#6 on the Texas music charts in 2009); #1"Pray for Rain" (2009 - 2010); and "Texas Kind of Way" (#6, late 2010 – 2011).
At first he opened for other artists, but Cody has also taken the Texas dance-halls by storm. Increasingly, the Cody Johnson Band is the attraction, and an honest-to-goodness one.
Cody’s childhood, though, was different from his rowdy onstage personality. Growing up, home was Sebastopol, a speck on the East Texas piney woods map, the perfect setting for that country boy to roam the woods, hunt, and fish. Home-schooling and family times around the piano provided the kind of life the kind many folks envy. Even Cody's music training started when dad Carl taught him the chords to “I’ll Fly Away,” a southern gospel favorite.
Starting public school as a freshman, Cody expanded beyond playing the guitar and drums at church. When his AG science teacher overheard Cody playing an original song, he convinced Cody to form a band with other FFA (Future Farmers of America) members. A few months later, Cody's band placed runner-up in the highly-competitive Texas State FFA talent contest.
Cody left the contest realizing he was in love for life: in love with the music, the crowd, and the energy of performing onstage. Beginning in small honky-tonks and bars, he tried different musical styles. Discarding many, today Cody's shows still keep a Garth Brooks-level of energy and a Ronnie Van Zant-outlaw dedication to individual style. Like the late Chris LeDoux's musical beginnings, “CoJo” sold his acoustic CDs from the back of his truck during three years of bull-riding. Cody still shows up today as the true cowboy he is.
After graduation, Johnson worked for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Huntsville. There, supervising prison inmates, Cody confides, "I developed an even greater appreciation for family and friends. Seeing how easy it was to go to prison set me on the 'straight and narrow.'"
Also in Huntsville, Cody met Nathan Reedy, who became his new drummer. With Carl Johnson playing bass, the trio began traveling as the Cody Johnson Band. Their first CD, "Black & White Label," provided funding for travel and radio promotion—and the assurance that the music dream was real.
Along the way, several popular artists have shared their friendship, fans, and wisdom with Cody. Some gave business advice and warned him of issues musicians face on the road. The common thread is that other professionals respect Cody as a performer, songwriter, and individual. In turn, Cody Johnson earns that respect, giving as much effort to an audience of 30 or 30,000. As he states, “I like the crowd to sing along, yell, or whatever makes them feel part of the show. I love big crowds because of the energy and showmanship I can exhibit. I love acoustic shows because of the intimacy and how candid they are. Acoustic shows are like sittin’ around the living room pickin' and grinnin'."
Winning the Texas’ Regional Music Awards as “New Male Vocalist of the Year 2011” caused Cody to choose whether leave the security of state employment to chase his dreams. He followed his own advice to "Always pray for direction, and know that no matter what... the good Lord has a plan."
The answer to that prayer came when Cody's wife Brandi gave her “thumbs-up.” As Cody puts it, "When the woman I love—and plan to spend the rest of my life with—told me that she 'stands by her man' and believes in me 100%, I believed even more confidently that I could live my dream. Though I've had lots of people believe, contribute, push and pull me along, no one's efforts affected my decision emotionally the way Brandi's faith in me did."
Cody indeed left his "day job" for the more-than-full-time music career. But, that’s where the story really begins.
Expanding his boundaries beyond Texas, he flew to Nashville to record a new CD with Nashville studio musicians hand-picked by his "big brother," Nashville-based fellow Texan, Trent Willmon, producer of the new album, A Different Day (released October 31, 2011).
Though new to Nashville recording ways, Johnson’s musical confidence showed in the Music City recording studio. Together, he and the studio musicians tweaked songs to obtain the exact intended effect. Listening to the Music City veterans, Cody adopted suggestions when they felt right, and would "hang tough" when he felt the music differently.
According to CoJo, "I don't want to be labeled as 'Texas' or 'Nashville.' I am me: Texas, outlaw, cowboy, country, and a God-fearing man using the gift He gave me."
- Billie Willmon Jenkin
Ain't Nothin' to It
Cody Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One guy's young and one guy's old
One's in love and sittin' on dough
And one's already walked that road
One's on year number 33
And one just bought that diamond ring
One says "Dad, so how'd you do it?"
The other just laughs and says "There ain't nothin' to it"
Just try to quit smokin' and reel back the drinkin'
Don't always tell her everything you're thinkin'
And dance her when she needs dancin'
You get up and go to work, get up and go to church
Crawl up in that bed right next to her and listen
Instead of having all the answers
Then he slapped him on the back and said
"Son, you can breathe, there ain't nothin' to it"
There'll be trouble along the way
Words will fly and dishes break
The baby comes in and money goes out
You will learn to ride the ups and downs
You'll wanna quit a million times
But if you hang on, the years unwind
And when you get to see your blushing bride
Turn beautiful at 35, or 45, or 55
You'll be glad you quit smokin' and reeled back the drinkin'
Didn't always tell her everything you were thinkin'
And danced her when she needed dancin'
You got up and went to work, got up and went to church
Crawled up in that bed right next to her and listened
Instead of having all the answers
It's only love and all of us go through it
And if I had to do it again you know I'd do it
There ain't nothin' to it
No, there ain't nothin' to it
Cody Johnson's song "Ain't Nothin' to It" is about the passage of time, with one individual reflecting on a life well-lived, while the other looks to the future with anticipation and trepidation. The song talks about the differences in age and experience between two men, one young and one old, and their different stages in life. One has just purchased an engagement ring while the other has already experienced love, marriage, and the ups and downs of life. The older man imparts his wisdom to the younger one, telling him that life is simpler than he thinks, and that if he just does a few simple things, everything will be alright. The song speaks of the importance of being honest with a spouse, dancing together, and listening to each other.
The lyrics of the song are insightful and heartfelt, offering a message of hope to those who may be struggling with life's challenges. The older man's advice is simple, but profound: be honest, work hard, go to church, and love your spouse. The song suggests that if one follows these basic principles, everything will work out in the end, and they will look back on their life with pride and satisfaction.
Line by Line Meaning
Same old scenario
This is a common situation that many people experience.
One guy's young and one guy's old
One person is inexperienced while the other is more experienced.
One's in love and sittin' on dough
One person is in a loving relationship and is financially successful.
And one's already walked that road
The other person has already been in the same situation.
One's on year number 33
One person has been in the relationship for 33 years.
And one just bought that diamond ring
The other person just got engaged.
One says "Dad, so how'd you do it?"
One person asks how the other achieved a successful relationship.
The other just laughs and says "There ain't nothin' to it"
The more experienced person suggests that it's not as difficult as it may seem.
Just try to quit smokin' and reel back the drinkin'
Make an effort to give up unhealthy habits.
Don't always tell her everything you're thinkin'
Be mindful of what you say and keep some thoughts to yourself.
And dance her when she needs dancin'
Make an effort to show love and affection to your partner.
You get up and go to work, get up and go to church
Be responsible and stay committed to your job and your faith.
Crawl up in that bed right next to her and listen
Show support and lend an ear to your partner.
Instead of having all the answers
Acknowledge that you don't have all the solutions to every problem.
Then he slapped him on the back and said
The more experienced person gave advice with a friendly gesture.
"Son, you can breathe, there ain't nothin' to it"
The experienced person assures the other that it's not as difficult as it may seem.
There'll be trouble along the way
Obstacles and challenges will arise.
Words will fly and dishes break
Arguments and disagreements will occur.
The baby comes in and money goes out
Having a child can be expensive.
You will learn to ride the ups and downs
You will learn to navigate through the highs and lows of a relationship.
You'll wanna quit a million times
At times, you may want to give up on the relationship.
But if you hang on, the years unwind
If you stick with it, the relationship will progress over time.
And when you get to see your blushing bride
When you see your partner's beauty and innocence over time.
Turn beautiful at 35, or 45, or 55
Your partner will remain beautiful and desirable as time passes.
You'll be glad you quit smokin' and reeled back the drinkin'
You'll be happy that you gave up unhealthy habits.
Didn't always tell her everything you were thinkin'
You'll appreciate not sharing every thought with your partner.
And danced her when she needed dancin'
You'll be glad that you showed love and affection to your partner.
You got up and went to work, got up and went to church
You'll be happy that you stayed committed to your responsibilities and faith.
Crawled up in that bed right next to her and listened
You'll be glad that you supported your partner and listened to them.
Instead of having all the answers
You'll appreciate acknowledging that you don't have all the solutions.
It's only love and all of us go through it
Love is a universal experience that everyone goes through.
And if I had to do it again you know I'd do it
The experienced person would make the same decisions if given the chance.
There ain't nothin' to it
It's not as difficult as it may seem.
Writer(s): Kim Chadwick Tribble, David Lee Murphy
Contributed by Nicholas O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ericsifuentes9198
N when u see ur blushn' bride turn beautiful at 35 or 45 or 55😢😢😢....best line. Reminds me of my parents. R.I.P Dad
@brandonberens
Wow. My dad sent me this song. He has been married 33 years, and I'm getting married in 5 days. It's wild to hear how well the story of this song fits my life right now.
@GarbichMan2000
Wishin you the best Brandon ✊🏻
@christiangholston5013
Well, i really wish the best for you! hope your marriage is going well!
@brandonberens
@@christiangholston5013 You're so kind!! It's going amazingly. My dad's, unfortunately, not so much. But my marriage is unbelievably blessed and I'm very grateful for people like you who wish for it to be!
@brandonberens
@@GarbichMan2000 You're so thoughtful! Thank you very much. I hope you have meaningful and lasting relationships with everyone who matters to you. 😊
@caseyanderson9169
Gfggg
@robwetli6720
As a guy married to the same beautiful Gal for 42 years, This song hits home. Thanks for the beautiful song and the memories that followed
@muhammadumairharoon1443
Rob Wetli word keep shining buddy stay bless
@kendrachesser2010
This song is loved I love it💋