Cody Johnson’s ‘Travelin’ Soldier’ Hits Billboard Top 12 After Six-Year Wait

Nashville, TN — Cody Johnson has officially released his highly anticipated studio cover of “Travelin’ Soldier,” a song fans have long requested. The release came on November 7, just ahead of Veterans Day, marking a significant moment for Johnson, who is a four-time nominee at the upcoming 2025 CMA Awards.

This latest version debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, making it Johnson’s highest-charting song of his career. In its first week, “Travelin’ Soldier” garnered nearly 15 million global streams, positioning it as the most streamed country song during that time and landing at No. 11 across all genres.

Fans have been eager for this moment since Johnson first performed his acoustic rendition in a 2020 livestream. The acoustic version amassed over 58 million views on YouTube and inspired a wave of TikToks and other social media shares, highlighting the song’s growing popularity.

Reflecting on the release, Johnson shared, “It’s been three years since we released the acoustic cover. The fans responded enthusiastically and it remained on the set list. I knew that at some point, when the time felt right, we needed to record it in the studio.” He emphasized how meaningful the song is for his fans, saying, “It has given me the opportunity to hear, see, and bring words to y’all’s stories.”

The original “Travelin' Soldier” was first recorded by Bruce Robison in 1996, and later by Ty England in 1999, before The Chicks (then known as Dixie Chicks) released it in 2002, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Johnson’s cover has found a new generation of listeners, resonating deeply with both long-time fans and newcomers.

In addition to this success, he is currently nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year, and Music Video of the Year at the CMA Awards. While he will not perform at the ceremony due to recovering from eardrum surgery, he is expected to be a prominent figure during the event.

The 59th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena tonight at 8 PM ET on ABC, hosted by Lainey Wilson. Johnson’s rendition of “Travelin’ Soldier” is generating buzz and appears set to continue climbing the charts, with fans hopeful for its penetration into the Top 10.