What If Tomorrow Never Came?
Amid the mix of school, friends, and constant distractions, it’s always easier to say “I will do it later,” but in the song “Til You Can’t” by Cody Johnson, the song reminds listeners that later is not always promised.
Cody Johnson released his version of “Til You Can’t” in 2021, and it was originally written by Ben Stennis and Matt Rogers. The song’s power lies in its ability to highlight the fragility of moments we take for granted: time with loved ones, the pursuit of our dreams, and the seizing of opportunities.
Cody Johnson did not just sing this song for the sake of it; he has a connection to the lyrics. In an interview with Country, he revealed this: “ I won’t go into it too completely, but I had a very, very scary near-death experience on a plane this year, on a private aircraft that literally was going down.” He then talked about how this changed his perspective on this song, saying, “I woke up with a completely different perspective on the song…”
The song changes perspective on life. One lyric that has always stuck with me is
“ If you got a chance, take it, take it while you got a chance, if you got a dream chase it, ‘cause a dream won’t chase you back.” this part of the song makes you think about all the times you may have pushed something away, and it makes you relize that while you have the time chase whatever your heart desires.
I feel like fear often takes control of our decisions; people become scared that something won’t work out, but it’s important to try.
Not only does he talk about opportunities, but he also talks about family. He says in the song “ So take that phone call from your mama, and just talk away, cause you never know how bad you wanna, Til you can’t someday.” This part of the song is really emotional. We can forget to talk to our loved ones or lose track of time, but when we have the chance, we should take it, because they may not be here tomorrow.
I interviewed Isabella Mayse and played the song for her for the first time, listening to it, and she said, “I am typically not a fan of country music, but if we are talking about the message behind the song, it is inspirational and makes me feel like you should take risks or chances before it is too late.” This is exactly what the song is supposed to make you feel.
When this song fi
rst came out, it wasn’t expected to be a big hit, but in 2022, it became Cody Johnson’s first number-one hit on country radio. Not only did it reach a huge audience, but it also won big awards like Single of the Year at the CMA Awards and, in 2023, Best Country Song. This brought attention to Cody Johnson and was one of the main songs people went to see him for in concert.
This song demonstrates perseverance; it shows you that no matter the battle, you should always try to take any opportunity.
Til You Can’t” is more than a country hit. It’s a reminder that small decisions — making a call, chasing a dream, saying “I love you” can shape a life with fewer regrets. It is always important to remember that tomorrow is not guaranteed.
