WATCH: Cody Johnson Debuts Deeply Emotional ‘Dirt Cheap’ Music Video
Grab the tissues for this one. Trust us.
Cody Johnson – Dirt Cheap Music Video; Photo via YouTube
Every now and then an artist releases a song that is so powerful it stops you in your tracks and moves you so deeply that you are reminded of the power of music and why it’s so important in our lives. “Dirt Cheap” by Cody Johnson is one of those songs.
The powerful narrative about valuing family memories over money comes to life in a heart-wrenching music video, directed by Dustin Haney.
Out now, the poignant clip faithfully follows the song’s storyline as a developer and contractor appear on an old farmer’s doorstep to try to convince him to sell his property to make way for a new subdivision. Without hesitation, the farmer turns down their lucrative offer. When asked why he won’t sell, memories of his time on his land flash across the screen. From his little girl swinging on the swing, to his four-legged best friend being buried under a nearby tree, and all the special shared moments with his wife, it’s clear that the farmer understands that the important things in life cannot be bought. Rather than taking the money, he chooses to value the priceless memories he has with his family instead.
The tear-inducing music video includes powerful scenes, including one where the elderly man is seen carrying his dog to the tree to lay him to rest, and another where his wife is in the rocking chair and ultimately disappears, signifying that she is no longer with him. Paired with the deeply emotional lyrics, it’s nearly impossible not to become emotional when watching this story play out on screen.
Playing the role of the farmer is Red Steagall, an actor, poet, performer, and Johnson’s longtime mentor and friend.
The Music Video of the Year worthy clip also stars Josh Phillips, the sole songwriter of “Dirt Cheap.” The talented lyricist portrays the role of one of the contractors in the video.
Phillips recently shared the story behind the song with Country Now, and revealed that it came to him while sitting at a fire in his backyard at the home he and his wife purchased a few years prior. He tells us they originally planned to fix it up and sell it when the market turned around, however, when the time came, he felt mixed emotions.
“I was just kind of looking at the house and thinking back at all the memories that we had made in it. Not only did we put new doors, and new windows, and new hardwood floors, and all that stuff, but it was also the front yard that I had dropped down on a knee and proposed to her in and it was the house that our 5-year-old little girl, Hunter, the pink bow and her brown hair, that was the little girl that had grown up there,” he shared in reference to the song’s chorus. “It was the house that our little boy, Zack, took his first steps in and the house that our 9-month-old baby girl, Presley, the only house that she’s obviously ever known. And it was like, man, you can’t buy this kind of dirt cheap. As soon as I said it, ‘I went, oh, crap, that’s how you do it.’”
He finished the song and it ultimately landed in the hands of Cody Johnson. It is a standout track on his latest album, Leather, and is currently sitting in the Top 10 at country radio. The RIAA Gold-certified “Dirt Cheap” is undeniably one of the best songs released in years and is expected to be a favorite among voters for the upcoming CMA Awards.
Written by
Lauren Jo Black
Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.