Coe's rebellious attitude, wild image, and unconventional lifestyle set him apart from other country performers, both winning him legions of fans and hindering his mainstream success by alienating the music industry establishment. Coe continues to be a popular performer on the country circuit.
Coe was born in Akron, Ohio. His favorite singer as a child was Johnny Cash. After being sent to the Starr Commonwealth For Boys reform school at the age of nine, he spent much of the next 20 years in correctional facilities, including three years at the Ohio Penitentiary. Coe claimed he received encouragement to begin writing songs from Screamin' Jay Hawkins, with whom he had spent time in prison.
After concluding another prison term in 1967, Coe embarked on a music career in Nashville, living in a hearse which he parked in front of the Ryman Auditorium while he performed on the street. He caught the attention of Shelby Singleton, owner of the independent record label Plantation Records and signed a contract with his label.
He is the father of Tyler Mahan Coe, who created the country music podcast Cocaine & Rhinestones. He has a daughter, Shelli Coe Mackie, and is father-in-law to the late Michael Mackie, formerly of Texas band 'Thunderosa'.
Coe's musical style derives from blues, rock, and country music traditions. His vocal style is described as a 'throaty baritone'. His lyrical content is often humorous or comedic, with William Ruhlmann describing him as a 'near-parody of a country singer'. Stephen Thomas Erlewine describes Coe as "a great, unashamed country singer, singing the purest honky-tonk and hardest country of his era […] he may not be the most original outlaw, but there is none more outlaw than him".
Coe's lyrics frequently include references to alcohol and drug use, and are often boisterous and cocky. Coe's debut album Penitentiary Blues was described as "voodoo blues" and "redneck music" by Allmusic's Thom Jurek. It focused on themes such as working for the first time, blood tests from veins used to inject heroin, prison time, hoodoo imagery, and death. The album's influences included Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Tony Joe White. Coe later explained to Kristofer Engelhardt of Review: "I didn't really care for some of the country music until people like Kris Kristofferson and some of those people started writing songs. They had a little more to say than just, 'Oh baby I miss you', or whatever. I don't do anything halfway. Once I got into country music, I went back and researched it, and learned everything there was to know about it. I could do impersonations of Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb, Hank Snow, Marty Robbins, just about anybody. I knew just about all there was to know about country music."
Coe's first country album, The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy, has been described as alt-country, 'pre-punk' and "a hillbilly version of Marc Bolan's glitz and glitter". Credited influences on the album include Merle Haggard. In his early career, Coe was known for his unpredictable live performances, in which he would ride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle onto the stage and curse at his audience. Coe has also performed in a rhinestone suit and a mask which resembled that of the Lone Ranger, calling himself the 'Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy'.
The album Rebel Meets Rebel featured a song, "Cherokee Cry", which criticizes the United States government's treatment of Native Americans. When asked why he did not write more political songs, Coe replied, "I live in my own world, not thee world. I just write songs about what affects me in everyday life. At one point I wrote a song that was sort of a protest about when they were talking about drafting women into the military. It was about my son making it past the draft, but my daughter didn't. And I've done Farm Aid."
In his review of Coe's 1987 album A Matter of Life...and Death, Allmusic's Thom Jurek wrote, "Coe may have had some hits, but it is records like this that make one wonder if there was not a conspiracy to marginalize him and make him fail. Coe is a brilliant songwriter well into the 21st century, and deserves to be lauded along with the likes of [Willie] Nelson and [Waylon] Jennings and Kristofferson and Newbury – and even Cash."
A Satisfied Mind
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I had his money I could do things my way
But little they know that it's so hard to find
Once rich man in ten with a satisfied mind
Once I was winning in fortune and fame
Everything I could wish for to get a start in life's game
Then suddenly it happened, I lost every dime
Money won't buy back your youth when you're old
A friend when you're lonely or a love that's grown cold
The wealthiest person is a pauper at times
Compared to the man with a satisfied mind
When my life is over, my time has run out
My friends and my loved ones will weep, there's no doubt
But one things for certain, when it comes my time
I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind
David Allan Coe’s “A Satisfied Mind” is a country classic about the true source of happiness. The singer begins with a common refrain of the rich and famous: with more money, life would be better. However, he quickly flips this narrative by pointing out that even those with wealth and success may not have a satisfied mind. He reflects on his own life, which was once filled with fame and fortune, but he lost it all in a moment. Despite this, he has a satisfied mind as he has found that true happiness comes from things that money cannot buy, such as a love that lasts, true friendships and memories that one can cherish.
The song’s message resonates with people from all walks of life, as it challenges the idea that success should be measured by the accumulation of wealth and possessions. Instead it suggests that a life well-lived comes from treasuring the true riches of life, such as love, relationships, and memories. The line, “The wealthiest person is a pauper at times, Compared to the man with a satisfied mind” encapsulates this thought, the notion of richness and satisfaction being something within oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
How many times have you heard someone say
How often have you heard people express the desire to live a lavish lifestyle?
If I had his money I could do things my way
Many believe that if they were wealthy, they could do anything they desired.
But little they know that it's so hard to find
However, they are mistaken since money could be elusive.
Once rich man in ten with a satisfied mind
Only one in ten wealthy individuals achieve satisfaction in their lives.
Once I was winning in fortune and fame
I once had achieved everything necessary to achieve a successful life.
Everything I could wish for to get a start in life's game
I had everything required to make a successful beginning in life.
Then suddenly it happened, I lost every dime
Suddenly, I became penniless, losing all my wealth.
But I'm richer by far with a satisfied mind
Despite losing everything, I realized a satisfied mind is worth more than any material things.
Money won't buy back your youth when you're old
Money cannot restore the youthfulness of old age.
A friend when you're lonely or a love that's grown cold
It cannot provide you love and friendship when you're lonely and disconnected.
The wealthiest person is a pauper at times
Even the wealthiest individual can feel helpless times.
Compared to the man with a satisfied mind
When compared to an individual who has achieved a satisfied mind.
When my life is over, my time has run out
When my life is over, death has taken me.
My friends and my loved ones will weep, there's no doubt
My friends and loved ones will express their sadness when I die.
But one things for certain, when it comes my time
However, I will leave this world knowing that I have achieved a satisfied mind.
I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind
I will make my exit from this life having realized the worth and contentment associated with a satisfied mind.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Red Hays, Jack Rhodes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A Pa
DAC-you are a wonder. Thanks for this fine rendition.
Cody Stillman
Where did this sound of music go
bbs1969
I just wish all the people who label coe. Would listen to Coe first
Johnny Rocco
@Big Sam and the damn horse they rode in on 2
Brandon Johnson
Ain’t that the truth. It gets old hearing people bitch about how easy life is with money. It’s just not true. It’s different problems not problem free like everyone thinks
Johnny Rocco
@Live Wire the truth!!!!
Live Wire
You don't need money to be satisfied. You have to find satisfaction by living right, being honest and keeping your word.
Jamie Horwath
Funny hearing this right after hearing the X rated album 😅😆
Colin Tindall
Coe was and is brilliant. He just had a few vulgar songs early in his career. We all have skeletons in our closet. Arguably be became the second best Outlaw artist behind the One and Only Waylon Jennings.
Everton Francisco
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