Released: 2016
Cody Johnson’s ‘Wild as You’ is a heartfelt country ballad that expresses the singer’s deep admiration for a free-spirited woman. He compares her to the wild beauty of nature, acknowledging her need for freedom, while also expressing his longing to be with her.
The song starts with Johnson describing the woman as a refreshing morning by a mountain stream and an eagle floating on the breeze. These metaphors paint a picture of a woman who is as refreshing and free as nature itself. When he says ‘I wish I could call you mine’, it shows his desire to be with her, but he understands that she is as wild and free as the four winds and untamed mustangs.
The chorus, ‘You belong where the four winds blow, Out where the untamed mustang roam, Like a sweet summer rain passin’ through, Never seen anything wild as you’, is repeated throughout the song. This reinforces the theme of the woman’s wild spirit. The ‘sweet summer rain passin’ through’ symbolizes her transient nature, coming and going as she pleases, much like a summer rain.
In the verse, ‘I could stay with you like this, Til the day love don’t exist, Wildflowers bloom in an open field, And wither in a vase on a windowsill’, Johnson is saying that he could be with her until love itself ceases to exist. The wildflowers metaphor is poignant, suggesting that like wildflowers, she thrives in open spaces and would wither if confined, much like flowers in a vase on a windowsill.
The final verse, ‘There’s a part of me that prays, That you’ll hang up your wings someday, But the part that truly does love you, Always hopes you never do’, shows Johnson’s internal conflict. He wishes she would settle down, but the part of him that truly loves her, respects her need for freedom and hopes she never changes.
In conclusion, ‘Wild as You’ is a beautiful tribute to a free-spirited woman. Johnson’s lyrics convey a deep understanding and respect for her need for freedom, even if it means he can’t have her. The song is a testament to the power of love and the beauty of respecting someone’s individuality and freedom.
