Tonight I listened to the new tracks released as part of Cody Johnson's Leather Deluxe Edition, and I thought, "Oh, hmm."
It's a very interesting mix of songs, and some of them I found underwhelming. "Overdue" was very country, but nothing in the lyrics really caught me. "How Do You Sleep at Night?" was more clever than it appears on the surface, but the chorus really dragged on.
I really liked "The Fall," and I think I was one note away from goosebumps. I love how the chorus drops down at the beginning into the lower notes, and then slowly rises. I will admit that after hearing "worth" nine times in the chorus, I was starting to question what that word actually means, but I was also tired so I'll chalk that one up to me.
Cody Johnson didn't seem like the solid family man that he usually appears to be on a lot of these tracks, and that was kind of weird. I know that an artist's songs don't always reflect their actual life, and I'm sure that's especially true in his case since he doesn't write many of his songs, but it still felt unbalanced. I often think of him in the same vein as Luke Combs, but I think of Cody Johnson as being even more established and mature, and it was odd not seeing that reflected in the music. "I Wished It Was You" was particularly frustrating. But "Over Missin' You" seemed more true to life, and was also extremely well-written.
Okay, why the freak did I start writing this at 11PM. It definitely wasn't so I could ramble on about every single one of the thirteen tracks that were for some reason added onto a twelve-track album.
The last of the original tracks is called "Make Me A Mop," which I believe I've mentioned on here before. Interesting title, right? Interesting song.
The last of the new tracks is called "The Mustang." And it's also very interesting.
If you're used to Cody Jinks or Zach Bryan or Miranda Lambert, or basically anyone, you'll think that song is about something entirely different than what it is. It's probably an ode to freedom, to wildness; it probably acknowledges the conflict and the pain that comes with that, but is almost proud of that price.
Let me back up for a second, and actually step away from music for a moment. I was talking to someone recently about nominal Christianity vs. true faith in Christ, and about how the difference is seen in what you're willing to sacrifice. Nominal Christians in the South often see their faith as part of their "brand" or identity. A true Christian is willing to give up their identity for Christ. They are willing to be changed to look more like Him, even when that is painful.
Morgan Wallen is a great example of nominal Christianity in song. And I say that not because I want to bash, but because he's one of if not the most popular artist in country music right now and that message is very much out there to be consumed. "In The Bible" describes it perfectly.
Cody Johnson's music is actually the perfect example of the opposite. And in particular the two songs I mentioned: "Make Me A Mop" and "The Mustang."
Key lyrics from "Make Me A Mop":
Make me a shovel, make me whatever
A handle on a cup you glue back together
If breaking a man just makes him better,
Then do what you gotta do
The rest of the lyrics follow the same theme. It's a song full of genuine humility and submission to God. It is so far removed from the secular mindset, it's almost shocking to hear.
"The Mustang" is, in my opinion, even more shocking.
The start isn't that odd. It sounds very typical Gospel-y, he was saved from his wild ways, etc. There's a mustang comparison, but it's easy to not take the metaphor too seriously.
I used to run just like a mustang
With my head down in the wind
At a pace too fast to recognize
The places that I've been
Living up my years of freedom
Like the words to a song
I found myself believing
That I can make it on my own
Then he's saved out of that, and finds himself free. The only thing that might give you pause is the last line before the first chorus: I surrendered all I had, and let the master take the reigns. If you don't like thinking of Christ as Lord that might not go down incredibly easily, but it's still a very normal Christian concept to hear.
The second chorus, however, takes the mustang metaphor and pushes it further.
Often looked upon as beauty
When the mustang runs and bucks
Some criticize the ones we ride
And pull behind our trucks
But they were put here with a purpose
That the wild ones have yet to find
Like me, they just need breaking down
To open up their eyes
And the chorus:
And see I'm free
I'm not scared and I'm not running
I'm right where I'm supposed to be
Yes I'm free
I know from over there
It might look like captivity
But on this side of the fence
It feels like free
Of course there are undertones of this theme in much of country music. Songs about giving your life to Christ and stepping out in faith. Brantley Gilbert actually has some of the most sincere expressions of faith in mainstream country music, and has talked a lot about faith and alcoholism.
But I have never heard a song that subverts these specific expectations. Because he's absolutely right: we do see the wild horses as the most beautiful, and see it as a shame that they get broken and lose their wildness. There are songs specifically about that, and ones that describe people the same way.
I think there's also a stigma about acknowledging that the Christian's life has to include giving things up. People want to focus on what it adds, and the joy and the peace, and it's so true that Christ is worth more than all the things we could ever give up for Him. But we tend to avoid saying anything that could indicate that Christianity has unpleasant parts.
The fact is, true faith in Christ and all that it entails will not be appealing to someone whose heart has not been changed by the Holy Spirit. Certain aspects will, but not the whole package. I think that is what is so shocking to me, that he and one other co-writer wrote a song designed for mainstream consumption that I'm not sure non-Christians can even relate to.
To unbelievers, it looks like we're in captivity. But in Christ, we can see the freedom we have. Freedom from sin, from guilt, from fear. Freedom from trying to find meaning in all the things that have no meaning apart from God.
So I guess you could say I liked the song.
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