When Cody Johnson first heard the demo for a track called "I’m Gonna Love You," he didn't just like it. He was obsessed. But there was a catch—a big one. He told his team point-blank that if Carrie Underwood didn't agree to sing it with him, the song was staying in the vault. He wasn't going to record it with anyone else.
Luckily for us, she said yes.
The Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood song didn't just appear out of thin air as a marketing gimmick. It’s a track that actually sat waiting for the right moment for years. Originally written back in 2019, the song was floating around Nashville, looking for a home. Travis Denning, one of the co-writers, had actually pitched it to Carrie years ago, but the timing wasn't right. Fast forward to 2024, and it became the centerpiece of Cody's Leather Deluxe Edition.
Why This Duet Almost Never Happened
Co-written by Kelly Archer, Chris Stevens, and Travis Denning, "I’m Gonna Love You" is a masterclass in traditional country storytelling. It’s not flashy. It doesn't rely on snap tracks or pop-leaning production. Instead, it leans heavily into a piano-driven melody and lyrics that feel like a "Bible verse," as the chorus suggests.
Cody and Carrie first crossed paths backstage at the 2022 CMT Music Awards. If you remember that night, Cody was performing on Broadway in a literal monsoon. Carrie was busy breaking records for the most wins in the show's history. They hit it off, a friendship started, and the seeds for this collaboration were planted.
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Honestly, the chemistry works because they are both "power singers" who know when to hold back. You’ve got Cody’s Texas grit—that authentic, George Strait-influenced baritone—meeting Carrie’s skyscraper vocals. It could have easily turned into a shouting match. Instead, they opted for a "steady and true" approach that highlights the vulnerability of the lyrics.
Breaking Down the Production
Trent Willmon, Cody’s long-time producer, kept the arrangement clean.
- The Intro: A soft, emotive piano line that sets a reflective tone.
- The Middle: Subtle electric guitar swells and a build-up that feels earned.
- The Climax: A guitar solo toward the end that gives the track some teeth without overshadowing the vocalists.
The song officially dropped on September 27, 2024. It didn't just trickle onto the charts; it exploded. By early 2025, it had climbed to the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart and reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Country Airplay. For Carrie, it marked her 29th career chart-topper. For Cody, it was further proof that his "COJO" brand of traditional country is exactly what people are craving right now.
The Visual Story: Wells, Nevada to Nashville
The music video for the Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood song is just as cinematic as the track itself. Directed by Dustin Haney, it was filmed in two very different locations: the rugged, wide-open landscapes of Wells, Nevada, and the professional studios of Nashville.
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The contrast is intentional. You see Cody against the backdrop of horses and mountains—his natural element—while Carrie brings that polished, ethereal superstar energy. When they finally come together in the video, it feels like two worlds colliding. It’s no wonder the video picked up a CMA Award nomination for Music Video of the Year.
What most people don't realize is how much this song means to the writers. In August 2025, the whole crew gathered in the BMI lobby in Nashville to celebrate the song’s success. Carrie was there, visibly moved, talking about how the song’s journey was a "testament to God's plan." It’s rare to see that kind of genuine emotion for a "work event" in the music industry.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Artists
If you're looking to dive deeper into why this song works or how to apply its success to your own creative projects, consider these points:
1. Study the "Pitching" Process
The fact that this song was rejected or "tabled" by Carrie years ago before becoming a #1 hit with Cody is a huge lesson in persistence. If you're a songwriter, don't throw away your "old" demos. The right artist or the right timing can change everything.
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2. Listen for the "Power of No"
Cody Johnson’s insistence that it was "Carrie or no one" is a bold move. It shows the importance of having a clear creative vision. Sometimes, saying "no" to a mediocre version of a project allows the perfect version to manifest later.
3. Analyze the Vocal Dynamics
Listen to the bridge of "I’m Gonna Love You." Notice how they trade lines instead of just singing over each other. If you’re a singer, pay attention to how they use "dynamics"—starting soft and building to that belt—rather than staying at 100% volume the whole time.
4. Check Out the Full Album
To get the full context, listen to the Leather Deluxe Edition. The album features 25 tracks, including "Dirt Cheap" and "The Painter." It gives you a better sense of where this duet fits into Cody's evolution from a Texas circuit staple to a global country powerhouse.
The success of the Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood song proves that even in 2026, a simple, well-written country song about staying together through "gray hair and lines on our face" still wins. It doesn't need gimmicks. It just needs two of the best voices in the business and a story people actually believe.
To get the most out of this track, watch the official music video on a high-definition screen to catch the Nevada cinematography, then listen to the acoustic-leaning tracks on the Leather album to see how Cody balances this "big" production with his traditional roots.