Cody Johnson’s “The Fall” — Where Country Music Meets the Spirit of Rodeo
Introduction
Few country artists embody the rodeo spirit as deeply as Cody Johnson. His latest music video, “The Fall,” captures that raw connection between music and the dirt arena — between struggle and redemption. Released as part of the deluxe edition of his Leather album, the video stands as a tribute to everyone who’s ever hit the ground hard and found the strength to rise again.
The Story Behind “The Fall”
In “The Fall,” Cody Johnson tells a story that’s both deeply personal and universally human. The video features Cody Webster, a real-life champion bullfighter, portraying a man who faces relentless challenges in the rodeo ring. Each time he’s thrown, the pain is real — yet so is his resolve. Between these scenes, Johnson appears in a moody, rain-soaked performance, his voice steady but emotional, as if channeling every rider who’s ever tasted dirt and refused to quit.
The visual’s power lies in its simplicity. It doesn’t dramatize the rodeo — it honors it. The falls, the pauses, the quiet moments of reflection all echo Johnson’s central message: failure doesn’t define a person; perseverance does. “The fall” becomes a metaphor for life — for heartbreak, for setbacks, for every time someone’s told you that you can’t.
Art Meets Reality
At the time of the video’s release, Cody Johnson himself was recovering from a ruptured eardrum, forcing him to cancel parts of his 2025 tour. That reality makes the video even more poignant. Just like the bullfighter he portrays, Johnson’s career has always been a dance between pain and passion — a reminder that country music often draws its truest beauty from hardship.
Cinematically, “The Fall” balances grit with grace. The alternating cuts between the rodeo chaos and Johnson’s quiet performance under the rain reflect how strength often grows in solitude. The song’s lyrics reinforce that sentiment: “It’s the fall that teaches you to stand tall.” It’s not a polished story — it’s a scarred one. And that’s exactly why it feels so authentic.Cody Johnson’s “The Fall” isn’t just another country video — it’s a statement about resilience. Whether on a bull, a stage, or in everyday life, the message is the same: every bruise is a badge of endurance, every fall a lesson. In merging music and rodeo, Johnson gives fans something beyond a song — he gives them a story that reminds us that the ground isn’t the end; it’s just the start of rising again.