Photo: Getty Images
Cody Johnson pays tribute to his wife with his heartwarming new single, crediting her with bringing vibrant color to his previously black-and-white life. “The Painter” made its debut on Friday (August 11).
Johnson’s latest ballad, a track from a forthcoming album due later this year, was written by Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins and Ryan Larkins and produced by Trent Willmon, per a press release issued last week. The country star spotlighted the lyric that stands out to him the most, “for every wall I built, she saw a canvas,” noting that “if there’s anything that describes my marriage with my wife, Brandi, it’s that line. And that’s why we’ve been together for 15 years.”
“I don't remember/ Life before she came into the picture/ Brought the beauty I was missin' with her/ Showed me colors I ain't ever seen/ She took chances/ With every wall I built, she saw a canvas/ I thank God every day for how He made her/ My life was black and white, but she's the painter”
“I hope my fans are encouraged to take the time to appreciate the people they have around them,” Johnson said. “The ones who make their life beautiful and bring all the beautiful colors to their world when it could just be black and white and dark. Remember them and tell them you love them.”
Johnson began to tease “The Painter” earlier this month, posting a brief snippet of the love song with a video of the country star dancing with his wife, beginning in black-and-white and bursting to bright colors partway through. Johnson’s next chapter of music will follow previously-released fan-favorites, including “Human,” “On My Way to You,” “Diamond In My Pocket,” “Honky Tonk Hardwood Floors,” and, of course, his smash-hit single “’Til You Can’t,” among others. Listen to “The Painter” here: