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
Wild as You
Cody Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're like watching that eagle floating on the breeze
As I listen to you dreaming by my side
I wish I could call you mine
But you belong where the four winds blow
Out where the untamed mustang roam
Like a sweet summer rain, passing through
I could stay with you like this
Till the day love don't exist
Wild flowers bloom in an open field
And wither in a vase on a window seal
But you belong where the four winds blow
Out where the untamed mustang roam
Like a sweet summer rain passing through
Never seen anything wild as you
There's a part of me that prays
That you'll hang up your wings someday
But the part that truly does love you
Always hopes you never do
'Cause you belong where your heart can be
Out in the open, wild, and free
Like a sweet summer rain, passing through
I ain't never seen anything wild as you
You belong where the four winds blow
Out where the untamed mustang roam
Like a sweet summer rain, passing through
Never seen anything wild as you
You belong where the four winds blow
Out where the untamed mustang roam
Like a sweet summer rain, passing through
Never seen anything wild as you
In Cody Johnson's song "Wild as You," the singer describes the person they are singing to as being wild and free-spirited, like waking up next to a mountain stream or watching an eagle soar through the air. Though the singer longs to be with this person and call them their own, they acknowledge that this person belongs out in the open, where the untamed mustang roams, where their heart can be wild and free. The singer acknowledges that this person is unlike anything they've ever seen before and that they hope this person never loses their free spirit, even though a part of them wants them to hang up their wings someday.
The lyrics of the song use vivid imagery to convey the singer's admiration for this wild and free-spirited person. The mountain stream and the eagle are both images that suggest natural beauty and freedom. The singer is in awe of this person, but they also acknowledge that their wild spirit is what makes them so unique and special. The song is ultimately a tribute to this person's free spirit and a recognition of the fact that they belong out in the open, wild, and free.
Line by Line Meaning
You're like waking in the morning by a mountain stream
You have a refreshing effect on me, like the invigorating sensation of waking up near a mountain stream.
You're like watching that eagle floating on the breeze
Your grace and freedom are captivating, like the sight of an eagle effortlessly gliding through the air.
As I listen to you dreaming by my side
As I hear you dream and imagine what you desire, I wish I could be a part of that world.
I wish I could call you mine
I wish we could be in a relationship with each other, but I know that it may not be possible.
But you belong where the four winds blow
Your spirit is meant to roam free, where the winds may take you wherever you desire.
Out where the untamed mustang roam
You thrive in areas where you can be wild and unrestricted, like the roaming untamed mustangs.
Like a sweet summer rain, passing through
Your presence is short but sweet, leaving an impression that is refreshing and memorable.
Never seen anything wild as you
You are unique and unlike anyone else I have encountered, with a fierceness that cannot be tamed.
I could stay with you like this
I could spend forever with you in this moment of peace and contentment.
Till the day love don't exist
I would remain with you until the concept of love ceases to exist in this world.
Wild flowers bloom in an open field
Beautiful and untamed, wild flowers grow freely in nature's open landscapes.
And wither in a vase on a window seal
But they cannot survive when confined to a vase, trapped and unable to live out their true potential.
There's a part of me that prays
A part of me hopes that you will change and settle down someday.
That you'll hang up your wings someday
I hope you will eventually find a home and give up your free spirit and wild ways.
But the part that truly does love you
But the part of me that loves you for who you are accepts and admires your wild nature.
Always hopes you never do
I hope that you can continue being free and wild, and that you never have to change for anyone else.
'Cause you belong where your heart can be
You belong in a place where you can follow your heart and pursue what truly makes you happy.
Out in the open, wild, and free
You excel in areas where there are no constraints or limitations, and you can be your unapologetic self.
I ain't never seen anything wild as you
You are truly one of a kind, with a wildness that sets you apart from anyone else I have ever known.
You belong where the four winds blow
Your spirit will always be drawn to areas of freedom and nature, where you can be your true self.
Out where the untamed mustang roam
You thrive in environments where there are no rules or boundaries, much like the untamed mustangs.
Like a sweet summer rain, passing through
You have a refreshing and fleeting presence that leaves a lasting impact on those around you.
Never seen anything wild as you
You are a unique and untamed soul, with a spirit that cannot be contained or controlled by anyone else.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jeremy Spillman, Michael Connors, Trent Wayne Willmon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@derekward9442
You're like waking in the morning by a mountain stream
You're like watching that eagle floating on the breeze
As I listen to you dreaming by my side
I wish I could call you mine
But you belong where the four winds blow
Out where the untamed mustang roam
Like a sweet summer rain, passing through
Never seen anything wild as you
I could stay with you like this
Till the day love don't exist
Wild flowers bloom in an open field
And wither in a vase on a window seal
But you belong where the four winds blow
Out where the untamed mustang roam
Like a sweet summer rain passing through
Never seen anything wild as you
There's a part of me that prays
That you'll hang up your wings someday
But the part that truly does love you
Always hopes you never do
'Cause you belong where your heart can be
Out in the open, wild, and free
Like a sweet summer rain, passing through
I ain't never seen anything wild as you
You belong where the four winds blow
Out where the untamed mustang roam
Like a sweet summer rain, passing through
Never seen anything wild as you
You belong where the four winds blow
Out where the untamed mustang roam
Like a sweet summer rain, passing through
Never seen anything wild as you
@aaroncovert5497
It's men like Cody that prove country music is alive and well. If only they would play more of this on the radio
@aliciamurling8291
I wish more of this kinda music was played on the radio not the pop country shit today
@lillianshores9114
@Alicia Murling ikr. That pop country is shit
@moresunshinethanclouds2210
I totally agree!! 🤠🤠🤠🤠
@joelwestbury
Definitely mate
@jasonlithgow2559
This guys my generations George Strait... Dude will never be as famous as George, but if his music doesn't make ya feel the same way, you're a borderline sociopath... Guys top shelf country music, man...
@codybosse7178
Great respect for this man. His songs feel like true country music.
@lanaguidry6522
Cody Bosse That’s exactly how I feel. Absolutely the best voice I’ve heard since Chris Stapleton came out withTennessee Whiskey.
@lucaswilliams8571
Lana Guidry but no one did Tennessee whiskey as good as the possum George Jones
@rebeccarodriguez7145
Yep that’s Texas country