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
Diamond In My Pocket
Cody Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a shinin' over top of the pines
I'm headin' on down to my baby's house
Gonna take her on a midnight ride
Down them backroads winding up at Kickapoo Creek
Dancin' and singin' to some good ol' boys like me
Baby, there's a shooting star
So, hold me tight, make that wish, and pray that it comes true
Now I ain't sure of much
But this I know
I got a diamond in my pocket and my baby's got a heart of gold
I brought along a little courage and Coleman cooler just to help me out
My hands are shaking like canebrake rattler
Nothing's gonna save me now
Might as well jump in head first, lay it all on the line
What am I worried 'bout, never gonna be a more perfect time
Baby, there's a shooting star
That ones for me and you
So, hold me tight, make that wish, and pray that it comes true
Now I ain't sure of much
But this I know
I've got a diamond in my pocket and my baby's got a heart of gold
Well I didn't have money for a Broadway show but the crickets are singing to the radio
And we've got tickets, on the very front row
Baby, there's a shooting star
That ones for me and you
So, hold me tight, make that wish, and pray that it comes true
Now I ain't sure of much
But this I know
Well I got a diamond in my pocket and my baby's got a heart of gold
I got a diamond in my pocket and my baby's got a heart of gold
My baby's got a heart of gold
The song "Diamond In My Pocket” by Cody Johnson is a love song that speaks about a man's determination to seize the moment and make the most of his time with his girlfriend, who he considers precious. He spends a beautiful Saturday night with her, driving through the winding roads around Kickapoo Creek while listening to good old boys' music. He tells her that there is a shooting star, and he wishes that it represents their togetherness and their love affair, asking her to hold him tight and make a wish.
Despite his nervousness, he brought along some courage and a Coleman cooler to ask her what's been on his mind. The chorus repeats that he knows a diamond is in his pocket, and his baby possesses one of the most valuable qualities of all: a heart of gold that he intends to keep. The verses suggest that he intends to make his lover's dreams come true, possibly emphasizing that the couple doesn't need to go to Broadway or another popular attraction to have a good time. Instead, listening to crickets singing to the radio and being in the front row is what they both had the most meaningful times with.
"Diamond In My Pocket" is an uplifting, easy-going country song about a man who cherishes his girlfriend and finds her more valuable than any gemstone he could possess. Johnson sentimentalizes the ordinary-moments-in-the-head role of romantic life, making them feel sincere and magical.
Line by Line Meaning
Saturday night and the moon is out
It's a clear night and the moon is illuminating the surrounding area. It's Saturday night, so there is a sense of excitement and anticipation.
Just a shinin' over top of the pines
The moon is visible over the tops of the pine trees, creating a picturesque scene.
I'm headin' on down to my baby's house
The singer is on their way to their significant other's home.
Gonna take her on a midnight ride
The artist is planning to take their significant other on a night-time car ride.
Down them backroads winding up at Kickapoo Creek
The car ride will involve driving on backroads, eventually arriving at Kickapoo Creek.
Dancin' and singin' to some good ol' boys like me
The singer and their significant other will be dancing and singing to country music, with a group of like-minded people.
Baby, there's a shooting star,
The singer points out a shooting star to their significant other.
That one's for me and you
The artist believes that the shooting star is a sign meant specifically for them and their significant other.
So, hold me tight, make that wish, and pray that it comes true
The artist suggests that they and their significant other make a wish upon the shooting star and hope for its realization.
Now I ain't sure of much
The artist admits to being unsure about many things.
But this I know
The singer affirms that they know something to be true.
I got a diamond in my pocket and my baby's got a heart of gold
The artist states that they have something valuable in their pocket, and their significant other is a kind-hearted person.
I brought along a little courage and Coleman cooler just to help me out
The singer is carrying a cooler for drinks and some courage to help him get through the night.
My hands are shaking like canebrake rattler,
The singer's hands are shaking uncontrollably due to his nerves.
Nothing's gonna save me now
The singer believes that he has no way out of this night, and he must face his fears.
Might as well jump in head first, lay it all on the line
The artist believes it is pointless to hold back, and he must put everything on the line and take a leap of faith.
What am I worried 'bout, never gonna be a more perfect time
The artist realizes that there will never be a more perfect and opportune moment, and so he shouldn't worry about taking action now.
Well I didn't have money for a Broadway show but the crickets are singing to the radio
The singer could not afford expensive plans such as a Broadway show, but spending time with their significant other and listening to the sounds of nature is enough for them.
And we've got tickets, on the very front row
The singer and their significant other have great seats, which makes the moment even more special.
Well I got a diamond in my pocket and my baby's got a heart of gold
The artist reiterates that he has something valuable in his pocket and that his significant other is a good person.
My baby's got a heart of gold
The artist emphasizes once again that his significant other has a genuinely kind and caring personality.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Cody Daniel Johnson, Thomas Daniel Green, Trent Wayne Willmon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheMineCraftMafia
Saturday night and the moon is out
Just a shinin' over top of the pines
I'm headin' on down to my baby's house
Gonna take her on a midnight ride
Down them backroads winding up at Kickapoo Creek
Dancin' and singin' to some good ol' boys like me
Baby, there's a shooting star,
That ones for me and you
So, hold me tight, make that wish, and pray that it comes true
Now I ain't sure of much
But this I know
I got a diamond in my pocket and my baby's got a heart of gold
I brought along a little courage and Coleman cooler just to help me out
My hands are shaking like canebrake rattler,
Nothing's gonna save me now
Might as well jump in head first, lay it all on the line
What am I worried 'bout, never gonna be a more perfect time
Baby, there's a shooting star,
That ones for me and you
So, hold me tight, make that wish, and pray that it comes true
Now I ain't sure of much
But this I know
I've got a diamond in my pocket and my baby's got a heart of gold
Well I didn't have money for a Broadway show but the crickets are singing to the radio
And we've got tickets, on the very front row
Baby, there's a shooting star,
That ones for me and you
So, hold me tight, make that wish, and pray that it comes true
Now I ain't sure of much
But this I know
Well I got a diamond in my pocket and my baby's got a heart of gold
I got a diamond in my pocket and my baby's got a heart of gold
My baby's got a heart of gold
QuantumRealmTourist
This song is 9 years old and is finally getting the recognition it deserves.
Stupid The performer
Lmao
Jackson smail
For real
Hot Wings
@Stupid The performer ❤❤❤❤❤
Chance Caulder
Brother, y'all are killing it. Reminds me of the real country that i grew up listening to!
Hunter Miller
Amen to that all this new country just don't really hit the way the oldies do. I am out 15 but my momma raised me up listening to good country such as George strait, Randy Travis Alan jackson and more of that generation of country and I'll never look any other direction of music I'll stick with the oldies till I die. And Cody Johnson is keeping it alive and has done a great job
Rebecca Rodriguez
Texas has good country artists they just don’t get played on the radio outside of Texas because it’s not pop
Leland Yachimetz
Me too
Kasen Hicks
@Hunter Miller Tyler Childers Sturgill Simpson Randall King that’s all I am going to say
Jaxson
I wish I could go back and appreciate when I was long.. I thought being grown up was easy and better 😣