The Fall – Cody Johnson

When Cody Johnson premiered the video for “The Fall” on October 13 2025, he did more than drop a new clip. He offered a cinematic companion for one of his most contemplative songs, showing how the Texas native’s rodeo past and present-day stardom sit side by side. Directed by Dustin Haney, the film juxtaposes Johnson singing in a rain‑soaked field with footage of world champion bullfighter Cody Webster repeatedly thrown from a bull yet climbing back on. The images mirror the song’s core message: every bruise, every stumble and every mile on the road is worth the ride.

The video: rain, mud and resilience

Haney, who previously helmed Johnson’s videos for “’Til You Can’t,” “Human” and “The Painter,” crafts a stark, almost primal setting for “The Fall.” Johnson performs in a muddy field, rain pouring down as he delivers the line “The ride was worth the fall” with conviction. The intercut scenes of bullfighter Cody Webster underscore the song’s metaphor: life is like a rodeo, it knocks you down, but you get back up and ride againb. The juxtaposition makes the song’s lyrics feel visceral, while the dark lighting and slow‑motion shots evoke a sense of determination.

The timing of the video added poignancy. Johnson premiered it during a YouTube after‑party while recovering from emergency surgery for a burst eardrum, forcing him to miss his second‑annual COJO Championship event. The video became a way for fans to connect with him while he healed and raised funds for the Texas FFA Foundation. 

Songwriting and composition

“The Fall” appears on the Leather Deluxe Edition and was written by veteran songwriters Bobby Pinson, Jeremy Stover and Ray Fulcher. Pinson came up with the hook “The ride was worth the fall” in 2021, and the chorus grew by stacking phrases that borrow from each other: the fall was worth the smiles, the smiles were worth the tears, the tears were worth the miles. That progression gives the chorus a step‑by‑step feel, as if the melody ascends with each line before dropping into a minor chord at the end. 

Musically, “The Fall” is a mid‑tempo ballad built on acoustic guitar, steady drums and a gentle string section. Producers Trent Willmon and Greg Barnhill enlisted a band that included fiddler Jenee Fleenor, bassist Mike Brignardello and guitarist Scotty Sanders. Johnson asked them to slow the tempo and give it a “pump your chest out and be proud” vibe; the result layers minor chords with sweeping steel guitar and fiddle, creating a haunting texture reminiscent of Garth Brooks’ “The Dance”. The arrangement allows Johnson’s voice to stretch over dark, conversational verses and soar on the chorus, evoking both vulnerability and strength.

Message and meaning

At first glance, “The Fall” reads like a cowboy’s anthem, but Johnson and his co‑writers intentionally avoided obvious rodeo jargon so that listeners from any walk of life could see themselves in it. The narrator admits he has made mistakes, 

“I’ve been good‑time drunk enough to be bad‑time sober… Good with God, but I dropped the ball”

Johnson has said the song reminded him of Confucius’ saying about rising every time we fall. When he first heard the demo, he recognised it as a story that could resonate with anyone: “It is kind of cowboy, and it is authentic to me…but it also has this relativity to a lot of other different people and their story”. Songwriter Ray Fulcher, a longtime fan of the movie 8 Seconds, wanted to capture the grit of rodeo without naming it. By the end of the song, the narrator makes peace with his failures and commits to climbing back on, underscoring the notion that every setback shapes the person you become.

Reception and impact

Although “The Fall” wasn’t initially released as a single, Johnson noticed fans lifting their phones when he performed it live and singing loudly on the chorus. He says that when he plays the opening guitar riff, “every cell phone in the audience comes up…after the first chorus, the crowd goes insane”. The track has since climbed the country charts and become a fan‑favourite moment in his shows.

Critics have drawn comparisons to Garth Brooks’ “The Dance” for its bittersweet optimism and to Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” for its inspirational tone. Entertainment Focus called it a “haunting, plaintive, darker ballad” that could dominate awards season. The Music Universe noted that the video bridges Johnson’s identity as a cowboy and an entertainer, with Cody Webster’s performance emphasising resilience.

Cody Johnson’s rodeo roots

Born in Texas, Johnson spent his teens and early twenties riding bulls before shifting focus to music. That background informs his delivery: he sings “The Fall” as someone who knows the sting of hitting the dirt and the exhilaration of getting back up. In the video, he performs with mud on his boots and rain on his hat, honouring his cowboy roots while leaning into his role as a modern country star. The interplay between his past and present gives the song authenticity and positions Johnson as a bridge between traditional and contemporary country music.

Final thoughts

“The Fall” stands out on Cody Johnson’s Leather Deluxe Edition because it balances raw honesty with uplifting resolve. The video amplifies the song’s message by literally showing how the ride, be it on a bull or through life’s challenges, is worth the bruises. With its step‑wise chorus, evocative instrumentation and universal theme of resilience, “The Fall” is poised to become one of Johnson’s signature songs. Fans who connect with its message will appreciate how the video brings his cowboy heritage and entertainer persona into sharp focus, proving that even when life throws you off, the best stories start when you get back on.