You know that feeling when a song just smells like saddle leather and Wyoming sagebrush? That's exactly what happened back in early 2022 when Ian Munsick tapped Cody Johnson for a track that, honestly, saved the "Western" part of Country & Western music for a lot of us. Cody Johnson Long Live Cowgirls wasn't just another radio play; it was a cultural handshake between two guys who actually live the life they sing about.
It’s rare. Most "cowboy" songs these days feel like they were written by someone who’s never stepped in a trailer, let alone spent a week on a ranch. But when you hear Munsick’s Rocky Mountain tenor collide with CoJo’s gravelly, Texas baritone, you realize you aren't listening to a polished Nashville product. You're listening to a tribute.
The Story Behind the Dust and Fiddle
Basically, Ian Munsick had this idea brewing for a while. He’s a Wyoming kid through and through. He grew up on a ranch, worked cattle, and played in a family band. He co-wrote the track with Aby Gutierrez and Phil O'Donnell, and the vibe was clear from the jump: celebrate the women who are actually out there doing the work.
Munsick has said it a dozen times: cowgirls are more impressive than cowboys. They’ve got the same grit but ten times the grace.
So, how did Cody Johnson get involved? It wasn't some corporate boardroom deal. Munsick was out on the road opening for Johnson. One night, Ian’s wife, Caroline, basically walked up to Cody and said, "You need to hear this." Cody listened, loved it, and told Ian he wanted in. No ego. Just two guys who respect the lifestyle.
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Cody Johnson Long Live Cowgirls: Breaking Down the Sound
If you’ve heard the track—and if you haven't, stop what you're doing—it kicks off with the sound of a crackling campfire and a distant coyote howl. It’s cinematic.
- The Instrumentation: You’ve got a nylon-string guitar that feels very "old West" and a fiddle that doesn't just play notes; it cries.
- The Vocals: Munsick handles the high, airy stuff that sounds like the wind through the Tetons. Then Cody comes in, and suddenly the song has boots on the ground.
- The Lyrics: "She’s a little bit of John Wayne / She’s a little bit of Chris LeDoux." That’s the line. It bridges the gap between the Hollywood legend and the real-life rodeo king.
The song eventually hit No. 1 on SiriusXM’s The Highway and earned an RIAA Gold certification by April 2023. By late 2025, it was still racking up millions of streams. It’s a "sticky" song. It doesn't go away because it’s not tied to a temporary trend.
Why the Solo Version Happened
Here’s a bit of trivia most people miss. If you turned on country radio in late 2023 or 2024, you might have heard a version without Cody. What gives?
It wasn't drama. It was just timing. Cody was launching his own massive single, "The Painter" (which, let’s be real, was a juggernaut), and labels get weird about overlapping radio cycles. To get the song the airplay it deserved for Ian’s White Buffalo album, they released a solo version to stations. But for the fans? The duet version is the definitive one. It’s the one that went Gold. It’s the one everyone wants to hear at the National Finals Rodeo.
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The Cultural Impact of the "Back to Country" Movement
We’re in a weird spot in music. We’ve got pop-country, trap-country, and everything in between. Cody Johnson has become the de facto leader of the "Back to Country" movement. He’s not gatekeeping; he just wants the fiddle and steel guitar to have a seat at the table again.
When Cody Johnson Long Live Cowgirls dropped, it proved there was a massive, underserved audience. People who actually know what a "73" Winchester is or how a horse feels when it’s about to bolt. It’s about authenticity.
CoJo’s career has exploded since this collab. He’s picked up CMA Album of the Year for Leather and seven ACM nominations in 2025. He’s the bridge. He makes it okay for a kid in a suburban high school to wear a hat and listen to a waltz.
Key Takeaways for Your Playlist
If you're looking to dive deeper into this specific brand of Western music, don't just stop at this one track.
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- Check out the "White Buffalo" album: Munsick really doubles down on the Rocky Mountain sound there.
- Listen to "Dear Rodeo": If you want to understand Cody Johnson’s soul, that’s the one. It’s his breakup letter to his bull-riding career.
- Watch the live versions: The chemistry between these two on stage is electric. They aren't just performing; they’re having a blast.
The staying power of Cody Johnson Long Live Cowgirls is simple: it’s honest. In an industry that often feels like it's chasing the next viral TikTok dance, a song about grit, grace, and the American West is a breath of fresh air.
Next time you’re heading out on a long drive, put the duet version on. Let that opening coyote howl set the mood. You’ll see exactly why this song hasn't left the charts since it debuted.
Actionable Next Steps
To truly appreciate the "Western" side of this genre, start by building a "Neo-Traditionalist" playlist. Include the original duet version of Long Live Cowgirls, then add Cody Johnson’s "The Painter" and Ian Munsick’s "Horses Are Faster." This will help you distinguish the polished Nashville sound from the raw, instrument-heavy Western style that these artists are revitalizing. Once you've got the ear for it, look up the songwriters Phil O'Donnell and Aby Gutierrez to find other tracks that share this specific, authentic lyrical DNA.