Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood‘s gorgeous duet, “I’m Gonna Love You,” is out now. Johnson said his only choice to record the song was with Underwood sang it with him, which fortunately was an easy decision for the American Idol alum.
“What a beautifully written, just gorgeous love song about that never-ending, rock kind of special love,” Underwood tells iHeartCountry.
Johnson has, by his own admission, been a longtime fan of Underwood, just by listening to her music. But now that they collaborated on “I’m Gonna Love You,” he’s an even bigger fan, especially since he knows the superstar himself.
“We’re around the same age, but I always grew up listening to your music, and I wondered what it would be like to be in that position,” Johnson tells Underwood. “They say don’t meet your heroes, ’cause you might get disappointed. And I was not disappointed. It’s a breath of fresh air to meet someone that fame hasn’t affected, and that is really staying grounded. And, when I told my kids, my little girls, that I met Carrie Underwood, they forgot all about Cody Johnson.”
Fortunately, the admiration between the two singers went both ways, with Underwood impressed by Johnson from the first time they met.
“I think the first time we met was at an awards show,” Underwood recalls. “There’s always so much going on at those things, and everybody’s just coming and going. I remember leaving that night, just saying, ‘I really like that guy. I hope I watch him do great things.'”
Johnson also praised Underwood when the song was released, as much for how she conducts herself behind the scenes as for being one of the biggest hitmakers in country music.
“Working with Carrie has been an absolute pleasure,” Johnson said at the time. “She’s not only one hell of a singer, but she’s a class act all the way around. It warms my heart to work with someone who’s seen so much success in their career and they’re still so down to earth. I feel like this duet is going to be massive in so many ways, and I couldn’t be prouder of it!”
“I’m Gonna Love You” is from Johnson’s forthcoming Leather Deluxe Edition album, out on November 1. The song was recorded more than a year ago, but Johnson was willing to patiently wait until the time was right, especially for Underwood, for the song to be released.
“The issue is, when you’re dealing with an artist of that caliber; you have to be very respectful of their time,” Johnson explained (via iHeartCountry). “You have to be respectful of their tour when they’re releasing an album when they’re releasing a single … Carrie was so gracious to work with. I respect her so much as a vocalist and an artist. I think a lot of newer artists would have got that [collaborations]. and said, ‘Look, I have a duet with Carrie Underwood! Look, look, look!’
“I’m very thankful she did it, so I don’t care when it comes out,” he added. “I know that it’s done. I know that when the timing is right, it will be beautiful.”
Find all of Johnson’s music and upcoming shows, and pre-order Leather Deluxe Edition, at CodyJohnsonMusic.com.
Photo Credit: Jason Stoltzfus