Released: 2010
Cody Jinks’ ‘Hippies and Cowboys’ is a raw and unfiltered depiction of the singer’s life and experiences. It’s a song about being true to oneself, living life on one’s own terms, and finding solace in the company of like-minded folks, regardless of societal norms or expectations.
The song kicks off with Jinks confessing his love for whiskey, a common theme in country music, symbolizing the struggles and hardships of life. His mention of ‘passed out before the sun came up’ and ‘a mortgage due, and a baby on the way’ paints a picture of a man grappling with responsibilities and life’s pressures.
Jinks goes on to express his indifference towards fame and the music industry. When he says ‘I’ve never been a part of any musical scene, I ain’t just talking Nashville’, he’s rejecting the mainstream music industry, including the country music capital, Nashville. His reference to ‘magazines’ and ‘reviews’ further underscores his disregard for commercial success or critical acclaim.
The chorus ‘Raising hell with the hippies and the cowboys’ is a celebration of Jinks’ companionship with the outsiders, the non-conformists. ‘Hippies’ and ‘cowboys’ are often seen as countercultural figures, and Jinks identifies with them over ‘yuppies’, ‘hipsters’, and ‘wannabe scenes’. This is his way of saying he prefers authenticity over pretentiousness.
His fondness for ‘two dollar beers’ and ‘three dollar wells’ at ‘some old honkytonk bar’ speaks to his love for simple pleasures and traditional country culture. The ‘old drunk on a barstool on a Merle Haggard tune’ is a nod to the legendary country singer, symbolizing Jinks’ respect for classic country music.
In conclusion, ‘Hippies and Cowboys’ is a tribute to living life authentically, embracing the outsider status, and finding joy in the simple things. It’s a powerful reminder that success isn’t about fitting in or selling records, but about staying true to oneself and one’s roots.
