If you’ve ever sat in a pickup truck at 2:00 AM wondering where real country music went, you’ve probably found your way to Cody Johnson. Honestly, the guy is a unicorn in the modern Nashville machine. Back in October 2021, he dropped Cody Johnson Human The Double Album, and it wasn’t just another record release. It was a 18-track stake in the ground.
Most artists are terrified of double albums. They're bloated. They're risky. They usually have about six great songs and twelve fillers that sound like they were written by an AI with a heartbreak algorithm. But CoJo? He did the opposite. He took a bunch of songs that other Nashville artists rejected for being "too country" and decided to record every single one of them.
The Risk of 18 Tracks
Why do a double album anyway? Basically, Cody had too much good material to leave on the cutting room floor. Produced by his longtime collaborator Trent Willmon, the project was split into two distinct parts, but it wasn't just a random shuffle. It was a narrative.
The album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and made it to No. 19 on the all-genre Billboard 200. That’s massive for a guy who spent years as an independent artist before signing with Warner Music Nashville.
What People Get Wrong About the Cowboy Label
A lot of people look at Cody Johnson—the hat, the belt buckle, the former bull rider history—and they think he's a gimmick. They're wrong.
- Authenticity: He’s a former prison guard. He’s lived the lyrics.
- The Sound: You’ll hear real fiddle and steel guitar, not just snap tracks and pop synths.
- The Vibe: It’s George Strait’s tradition mixed with a bit of Chris Ledoux’s grit.
Breaking Down Part 1 and Part 2
The first half of the album kicks off with the title track, "Human." It's a vulnerable song about making mistakes and being, well, human. It's rare to hear a "tough" cowboy admit he's still learning how to be a husband and a father.
Then you’ve got the monster hit: "'Til You Can't." If you haven't heard this song, you've probably been living under a rock. It won Single of the Year and Video of the Year at the 2022 CMA Awards. It’s an anthem about not waiting to live your life. It’s high energy, but the message is heavy. "If you've got a chance, take it / Take it while you've got a chance."
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Part 2 shifts gears. It starts with a cover of the Harlan Howard classic "I Don't Know a Thing About Love," which Conway Twitty made famous back in the '80s. Cody's version has this weirdly cool, almost Motown-meets-Texas feel. It shouldn't work, but it does.
Surprising Covers and Deep Cuts
Cody didn't just stick to his own pen for this project. He pulled from the greats.
- Willie Nelson: He did "Sad Songs and Waltzes" and even got Willie to sing on it.
- Vince Gill: A rowdy cover of "Son of a Ramblin' Man."
- Chris Janson: Co-wrote "Let’s Build a Fire," which is basically a honky-tonk explosion.
Why "Human" Was the Turning Point
Before this album, Cody was the "Texas guy." After Cody Johnson Human The Double Album, he became a national superstar. He sold out the Houston Rodeo with over 75,000 tickets. He started winning the big awards in Nashville.
It proved that there is a massive, hungry audience for "real" country. People are tired of the polished, over-produced stuff. They want to hear a guy whose voice sounds like it’s seen some miles.
The album's success paved the way for his 2023 follow-up, Leather, which just won CMA Album of the Year in 2024. But if you ask the die-hard "CoJo Nation" fans, many will tell you that Human is the definitive work. It’s the one where he finally felt comfortable enough to be vulnerable.
He even included a song he wrote entirely by himself called "By Your Grace." It’s a gospel-tinged track that's as raw as it gets. No fancy metaphors. Just a man talking to God about his flaws.
Actionable Insights for New Listeners
If you're just diving into Cody's discography, don't just hit "shuffle." There's a method to the madness.
- Listen to the "Human" track first: It sets the emotional stage for everything else.
- Watch the "Dear Rodeo" documentary: It explains the heartbreak of giving up one dream (bull riding) to find another (music).
- Pay attention to the fiddle: On tracks like "Honky Tonk Hardwood Floors," the musicianship is world-class.
- Don't skip the ballads: "God Bless the Boy (Cori’s Song)" is a tear-jerker written for his daughter that shows his softer side.
The music industry is constantly changing, but this double album remains a masterclass in staying true to your roots while playing on the big stage. It’s 18 tracks of proof that you don't have to sell your soul to sell out arenas.