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
Give a Cowboy a Kiss
Cody Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He'll come dragging back around along about supper time.
If you give a cowboy a truck on a Friday night, he'll bore a hundred dollar bill from the coffee can, spray the mud off of them tires, drop twenty dollars in the tank, save the rest for beer.
So all you girls in here need to know this.
If you give a cowboy a kiss he'll want more.
He's gonna want to give you a twist out on that hardwood floor.
If you let him, girl if you let him, he's gonna sit you down on his tailgate, pull out his guitar and play some George Strait.
Pretty baby, that's just the way it is, if you give a cowboy a kiss.
Cause there really ain't nothing much that he can't do with his two hands.
He can fight his way out of corners, or he can softly lay you down.
There ain't no time like now to find out.
If you give a cowboy a kiss he'll want more.
He's gonna want to give you a twist out on that hardwood floor.
If you let him, girl if you let him, he's gonna sit you down on his tailgate, pull out his guitar and play some George Strait.
Pretty baby, that's just the way it is, if you give a cowboy a kiss.
Hear the ocean wind, it'll take the shore.
If you take a chance on love tonight here's what's in store.
If you give a cowboy a kiss, if you give a cowboy a kiss he's gonna sit you down on his tailgate, pull out his guitar and play some George Strait.
Pretty baby, that's just the way it is, if you give a cowboy a kiss, if you give a cowboy a kiss.
"Cody Johnson's "Give a Cowboy a Kiss" is a song that perfectly captures the essence of a cowboy - their hard work, their love for adventure, and their passion for women. The first verse talks about how giving a cowboy a horse and a stretch of fence will keep them busy "all day 'til the whole damn thing is fixed." It emphasizes how cowboys are naturally hardworking and will keep working until the job is done. However, the second verse talks about how giving them a truck on a Friday night will result in them using it to spray mud off the tires and then save the rest of the money for beer. The song indicates that cowboys know how to have fun and enjoy their lives as well.
The chorus then goes on to say that if a woman gives a cowboy a kiss, he will want more - he will want to dance with her on the hardwood floor or play his guitar and sing to her. The song paints a picture of a cowboy that is rugged on the outside but has a softer, romantic side as well. The bridge of the song further emphasizes the idea that cowboys are capable of anything. It mentions that if you tell a cowboy he can't do something, he will prove you wrong. The song ends with a message of hope, that if someone takes a chance on love, they might experience something beautiful and unforgettable.
Line by Line Meaning
If you give a cowboy a horse and a stretch of fence, you can bet the farm he'll ride all day til the whole damn thing is fixed.
If you provide a cowboy with a horse and a fenced area, he will put in effort and ride all day until the complete fixing of it.
He'll come dragging back around along about supper time.
He will come back at supper time, tired and exhausted from working all day.
If you give a cowboy a truck on a Friday night, he'll bore a hundred dollar bill from the coffee can, spray the mud off of them tires, drop twenty dollars in the tank, save the rest for beer.
If you give a cowboy a truck on a Friday night, he will take a hundred dollars from the coffee can to pay for the mud on the tires, he will then add twenty dollars to the fuel tank, and save the rest for buying beer.
So all you girls in here need to know this.
This is a message to all the females present in the audience, you must pay attention.
If you give a cowboy a kiss he'll want more.
If you offer a cowboy a kiss, he will desire and demand more of you.
He's gonna want to give you a twist out on that hardwood floor.
He will desire to dance with you on the wooden floor.
If you let him, girl if you let him, he's gonna sit you down on his tailgate, pull out his guitar and play some George Strait.
If you allow him, he will make you sit on the back of his truck, take out his guitar and play songs by George Strait.
Pretty baby, that's just the way it is, if you give a cowboy a kiss.
This is how things will turn out if you kiss a cowboy. It's a warning or alert.
If you tell a cowboy he can't he'll prove he can.
If you challenge a cowboy, he will put effort and try his best to prove you wrong.
Cause there really ain't nothing much that he can't do with his two hands.
There is barely anything that he cannot do with just his hands because he possesses the required skills.
He can fight his way out of corners, or he can softly lay you down.
He can fight in unfavorable situations or handle things gently and with care.
There ain't no time like now to find out.
Right now is the best time to test or figure out his abilities or skills.
Hear the ocean wind, it'll take the shore.
Listening to the wind that carries the scent of the ocean can be relaxing.
If you take a chance on love tonight here's what's in store.
If you decide to pursue love tonight, here are your potential outcomes.
If you give a cowboy a kiss, if you give a cowboy a kiss he's gonna sit you down on his tailgate, pull out his guitar and play some George Strait.
When you kiss a cowboy, he will make you sit by his truck, play music by George Strait, and enjoy his company.
Pretty baby, that's just the way it is, if you give a cowboy a kiss, if you give a cowboy a kiss.
This is the reality or situation that would be created if you kiss a cowboy, and it's emphasized twice for extra impact.
Contributed by Owen T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paula Jane
I love everything about this song forever so sweet needs to be played on country radio ❤🎸❣🤠💯
Chris Jones
Hello love
Chris Jones
How are you doing
We're u at
I'm available for a chat
Warren Clinkscales
One of the best country songs I've ever heard.
Kalah Magic
This song is awsome my fiancé said were using this as our wedding song thanks
Taylor Rogers
I don't listen to country music a lot now but this sounds like something you could listen to driving down a dirt road with the windows rolled all the way down.
Ivan Molina
It's my place... I found my soul in u're music
Allie Sierdsma
Real country
Dawson Mondell
That song is so true
The Burrows
Can’t wait to social distance from the deer blind or hunting dove