Cody Johnson — Gotta Be Me (Bonus Track Version)

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No one would accuse Cody Johnson of trying to modernise his chosen genre or embrace the contemporary beats of bro country; the Texan singer has always traded in tradition, even while dabbling in rock guitar on 2014’s <i>Cowboy Like Me</i>. But his 2016 LP, <i>Gotta Be Me</i>, doubles down on the sound, hewing closer to the earthier country of his early days. By the time he got to cutting <i>Gotta Be Me</i>, Johnson and his longtime collaborator, producer Trent Willmon, were working together together smoothly. It’s no surprise that the record was Johnson’s final independently released album before signing with a major label—the record’s confident and capable tracks make one wonder why they didn’t come knocking sooner. Even the more modern-sounding single “With You I Am”—a song about the self-esteem boost that comes from being loved—recalls classic ‘90s country as much as it does any of its contemporaries, and the arena-sized choruses of “Wild as You'' are heavy with fiddle and banjo. Elsewhere, the more raucous fare sounds decidedly earthy, like the roadhouse-ready “Grass Stains” or “Chain Drinkin’”, with its blazing guitars. Johnson draws on his experiences as a professional rodeo bull rider for the impassioned “The Only One I Know (Cowboy Life)”, where his narrator admits that the path is hard and lonesome, but he can’t see an alternative. The spare, gospel-tinged bonus track, “I Can’t Even Walk (Without You Holding My Hand)”—a grateful ode to God’s grace—is one of the most moving in Johnson’s catalogue. <i>Gotta Be Me</i> achieved smashing commercial and chart success for an independent country record, hitting No. 2 on the U.S. Country Billboard chart and nabbing Gold certification for “With You I Am” and “Wild as You”. The momentum would push Johnson into the major-label big leagues, as his follow-up, 2019’s <i>Ain’t Nothin’ to It</i>, became his first for Warner Music Nashville.

Артист

Cody Johnson

Треки

  1. Gotta Be Me 3:36
  2. Grass Stains 3:10
  3. With You I Am 3:40
  4. Half a Song 3:31
  5. The Only One I Know (Cowboy Life) 3:59
  6. Walk Away 4:28
  7. Kiss Goodbye 3:20
  8. Chain Drinkin' 3:09
  9. Wild as You 3:06
  10. I Know My Way Back (Clara's Song) 3:25
  11. Billy's Brother 3:03
  12. Every Scar Has a Story 3:28
  13. I Ain't Going Nowhere Baby 4:37
  14. I Can't Even Walk (Without You Holding My Hand) [Acoustic Bonus Track] (feat. Carl Johnson & Sheila Johnson) 3:50