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
Dance Her Home
Cody Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The smoke is thick and the lights are dim and she sure got me wishin'
For a little bit of time out on that ol' dancefloor
If she gives me half a chance at romance
I'm gonna dance her home
Well, hey bartender, see that girl? Ask her what shes drinkin'
Tell her if she looks this way I'll be the one a-winkin'
'Cause I saw her light up when the DJ played a little George Jones
If she gives me half a chance at romance I'm gonna dance her home
'Cause if we got to two-steppin, we could come up missin'
And find a corner booth of our own
Just a huggin' and a kissin' like two lovers reminiscin'
Man, this feeling's comin on strong
If she gives me half a chance at romance
I'm gonna dance her home
Ah, get to dancin' boy
What the hell is wrong with me? I feel like I'm sinkin'
How hard can it really be to tell her what I'm thinkin'?
That if we got to two-steppin', we could come up missin'
And find a corner booth of our own
Just a huggin' and a kissin' like two lovers reminiscin'
Man, this feeling's comin' on strong
If she gives me half a chance at romance
I'm gonna dance her home
If she gives me half a chance at romance
No, I won't be leaving here alone
'Cause if she gives me half a chance at romance
I'm gonna dance her home
I'm gonna dance her home
The song "Dance Her Home" by Cody Johnson is a romantic country song about a man who is smitten by a woman he sees at a bar. The man admires the woman as she walks in wearing a swishing cotton dress while the smoke fills the air and the lights are dimmed. He wishes to dance with her and possibly sweep her off her feet. The lyrics convey the anticipation and longing the man feels towards the woman, building up to the suggestion of disappearing into a corner booth to share a kiss and a hug like two lovers reminiscing.
The lyrics convey the message that it takes courage to express love and feelings, and the man is struggling with his emotions but is willing to take a chance to dance with the woman and see where it leads. The song also honors country music legends Merle Haggard and George Jones, by referencing that they hold a special place in the woman's heart, evident from the way she lights up when their songs play on the jukebox. The chorus affirms the man's desire to dance with the woman and take her home, hoping to not leave the bar alone.
Overall, "Dance Her Home" is a classic love song that captures the thrill and passion of falling in love, the hesitation to express it, and the hope to find a connection with someone special.
Line by Line Meaning
Here she comes walkin' in, cotton dress a swishin'
As she walks in, her dress seems to sway and move with her body, catching the attention of the singer.
Smoke is thick and the lights are dim and she sure got me wishin'
The bar's environment is hazy and gloomy, and the singer wants to spend time with her.
For a little bit of time out on that ol dancefloor
The singer wants to dance with her and spend time on the dance floor.
If she gives me half a chance at romance im gonna dance her home
If she shows interest in him, he will take her home after they have danced.
Hey bartender see that girl ask her what shes drinkin'
The singer asks the bartender to ask her what she's drinking so he can use it as a conversation starter.
Tell her if she looks this way I'll be the one awakin'
He hopes to catch her attention and be the one she's interested in.
'Cause I saw her light up when the jukebox played Haggard and Jones
The singer saw her become excited when a particular song came on, and he thinks they have similar musical tastes.
If she gives me half a chance at romance im gonna dance her home
If she shows interest in him, he will take her home after they have danced.
'Cause if we got to two-steppin we could come up missin'
If they start dancing together, they might end up leaving to a more private place.
And find a corner booth of our own
They might find a place to sit and talk privately.
Just a huggin' and a kissin' like two lovers reminiscin'
They will hug and kiss like two people who are deeply in love.
Man this feelings comin on strong
The singer is developing strong feelings for her, and it's hard to control them.
If she gives me half a chance at romance I'm gonna dance her home
If she shows interest in him, he will take her home after they have danced.
What the hell is wrong with me I feel like I'm sinkin'
The singer is confused about his feelings and is feeling overwhelmed by them.
How hard can it really be to tell her what I'm thinkin'
He's struggling with expressing his feelings to her.
If she gives me half a chance at romance I'm gonna dance her home
If she shows interest in him, he will take her home after they have danced.
If she gives me half a chance at romance
The singer wants to spend time with her and see if there's a connection.
Oh I won't be leaving here alone
If he has a chance with her, he won't leave the bar alone.
'Cause if she gives me half a chance at romance I'm gonna dance her home
If she shows interest in him, he will take her home after they have danced.
I'm gonna dance her home
If they connect and dance, he will take her home safely.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Cody Johnson, Raub Jesse
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PUNISHERMHS_2021
Here she comes a walkin' in, cotton dress a swishin'
Smoke is thick and the lights are dim and she sure got me wishin'
For a little bit of time out on that ol' dance floor
If she gives me half a chance at romance I'm gonna dance her home
Well hey bartender see that girl ask her what she's drinkin'
Tell her if she looks this way I'll be the one a winkin'
'Cause I saw her light up when the DJ played a little George Jones
If she gives me half a chance at romance I'm gonna dance her home
'Cause if we got to two-steppin' we could come up missin'
And find a corner booth of our own
Just a huggin' and a kissin' like two lovers reminiscin'
Man this feelin's comin' on strong
If she gives me half a chance at romance I'm gonna dance her home (we can dance her boy)
What the hell is wrong with me I feel like I'm sinkin'
How hard can it really be to tell her what I'm thinkin'
That if we got to two-steppin' we could come up missin'
And find a corner booth of our own
Just a huggin' and a kissin' like two lovers reminiscin'
Man this feelin's comin' on strong
If she gives me half a chance at romance I'm gonna dance her home
If she gives me half a chance at romance, no I won't be leavin' here alone
'Cause If she gives me half a chance at romance I'm gonna dance her home
I'm gonna dance her home
@Maroco918
Shout out to all the men that danced her right into a wedding ring 💪
@popsiclepete5815
This song brings you back to the days in your favourite cowboy bar and watching that beautiful woman grace across the dance floor while you and your buddies are trying everything to catch her eye looking your way! Hahaha fun times! Keep the great song coming cojo!
@laineighloyd
I love this song so much and I’m only 11 and know every word to it.
@shanecrosby2610
This guy has way too much sass, and I’m here for all of it 😂
@maureenguest7528
Love this song play it over and over
@MarcosBryant-gk1jv
What do you admire most about Cody
@maureenguest7528
The beat of the song and the lyrics , also his voice
@MarcosBryant-gk1jv
@@maureenguest7528 that’s really nice, so what’s your favorite song from Cody
@b.j.bassfishing9464
Real country music. Ain't nothing better.
@LIgal629
Love hearing this again ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤