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."
It's Great to be Single Again
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't have to worry if I'll spend the night alone
I can go to sleep and leave my record player on
You're not there to hear me if I cry
There's no way to say how much your leavin' turned me on
I get so excited when I realize you're gone
You're just like another verse in some old country song
I don't even miss you when I go to bed at night
Gee it's great to know that I'll win each and every fight
No one's arms to hold me after I turn out the light
And I don't even miss you anymore
I don't have to feed the dog or take the garbage out
It don't matter if the neighbors hear me when I shout
Since you're gone there's not much that I have to think about
I'm so happy being all alone
There's no more dirty dishes
(Lord I feel so good tonight)
(Yeah and it's great to be single again)
The lyrics of David Allan Coe's "It's Great to be Single Again" are a celebration of the freedom and independence that comes with being single. The opening lines refer to domestic chores that can cause stress and tension in a relationship; however, now that the singer is single he is no longer burdened by these responsibilities. He is no longer fearful of coming home to an empty house, for he relishes in the peace and tranquility that he experiences upon his return. He can listen to his music as loud as he wants without worrying about disturbing anyone else.
The singer's enthusiasm for being single is rooted in the fact that he is no longer consumed by the failed relationship. The song's poetic lyrics express his excitement and sense of accomplishment over his newfound autonomy. The ending line, "Lord I feel so good tonight, (Yeah and it's great to be single again)" reiterates his satisfaction in his newly established independence. Overall, the song celebrates the newfound freedom and liberation that comes with being single, allowing one to pursue their own interests without the responsibilities or limitations of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
No more dirty dishes in the sink when I come home
I am happy being single again because I don't have to clean up after someone else's mess in the kitchen anymore.
I don't have to worry if I'll spend the night alone
I am relieved that I don't have to worry about being lonely or abandoned anymore since I am now single.
I can go to sleep and leave my record player on
I enjoy the freedom of being able to fall asleep to my favorite music because I no longer have to consider someone else's sleeping preferences or habits.
You're not there to hear me if I cry
I don't have to worry about anyone hearing me cry, which makes me feel more comfortable and emotionally free to feel my feelings.
There's no way to say how much your leavin' turned me on
I am pleased to admit that I find it exciting and exhilarating that you are no longer around, though I cannot quite articulate how or why.
I get so excited when I realize you're gone
I feel a surge of happiness and freedom every time I realize that you are no longer in my life.
You're just like another verse in some old country song
I see you as just another stereotypical and clichéd part of my life that I am now glad to have left behind.
I got tired of singin' long ago
I was tired of living my life in the same, monotonous way and I am now happy to have moved on from you and onto a new, more fulfilling life.
I don't even miss you when I go to bed at night
I am relieved that I no longer feel any kind of attachment or longing for you when I lay down to sleep at night.
Gee it's great to know that I'll win each and every fight
I am happy and relieved that I no longer have to constantly fight with someone and that I can now win every battle on my own terms without any compromise.
No one's arms to hold me after I turn out the light
I am excited by the freedom of being alone and not needing to rely on anyone for comfort or support.
And I don't even miss you anymore
I am genuinely happy and satisfied with my life without you in it and I no longer feel any loss or regret about our past relationship.
I don't have to feed the dog or take the garbage out
I enjoy the ease and simplicity of taking care of only myself and not having to worry about taking care of anyone or anything else.
It don't matter if the neighbors hear me when I shout
I am free to express myself in any way I want without worrying about what others will think or say about me, which makes me feel powerful and independent.
Since you're gone there's not much that I have to think about
I am happy and relieved that I no longer have to constantly worry about somebody else's problems or struggles and that I can now focus entirely on myself and my own well-being.
I'm so happy being all alone
Overall, I have never felt happier or more content with my life now that I am no longer in a relationship with you.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID ALLAN COE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dr. Craphead
on Damn I Wish I Was a Nigger
The song is not by David Allan Coe
Niggerhatingme
on Nigger Hatin Me
I like sugar and I like tea
But I don't like niggers, no sir-e
There are two lone things that'll make me puke
That's a hog eating slop and a big black spook
You know it, 'cuz I show it
Like a barnyard rooster I crow it
And the NAACP would sure like to get
A hold of nigger hatin' me.
Roses are red and violets are blue
Niggers are black and you know that's true
But they don't mind 'cuz what the heck
You gotta' be black to get a welfare check.
.And I'm broke, no joke. I ain't got a nickle
For a coat and I ain't black you see, so Uncle
Sam won't help poor nigger hatin' me.
Jigga-boo Jigga-boo where are you? I was
Here on the woodpile watching you. Jigga-boo
Jigga-boo come outdoors. No! I'sa scared of the
White man way down south.
You know it, 'cuz I show it. Stick your black
Head out and I blow it and the NAACP can't keep
You away from 'lil 'ol nigger hatin' me.
Mirror mirror on the wall who is the blackest
Of them all? A man named King it ain't no doubt
And he's causin' lots of trouble with his baboon
Mouth. Oh no it's he's a done it, caused by the
Trouble he's a brewin' and the NAACP can't win if
The white man stick with nigger hatin' me.
Hey Mr. President what'd ya say? When are we
Whites gonna have our day? The niggers've had
Theirs for such a long long time. I'm a white
And it's time that I had mine.
You know it, 'cuz I show it. Stick your black head
Out and I blow it and the NAACP can't win if the
White man stick with nigger hatin' me.
Nigger hatin me'
Nigger hatin me'
Nigger hatin me'
Nigger hatin me'
All true, how's the death count in chimpcago? https://heyjackass.com/
Ben - Moderator
on Nigger hatin me
Meaning of this line above has now been corrected
Matt
on Nigger hatin me
Who ever did the meaning lines is funny... woodpile is a real term, and when it says jig aboo come out doors, he imitates a poor sounding guy saying he's afraid of the racist whites from the south cuz if they even show themselves in public, they were a target. This is a bad song about the unspoken truth
cemegonuts
on You piss me off...you fuckin' jerk
This is not David Allen Coe. It is a song written by Gaye Delorme and performed by Garry Lee and Showdown.
Teresa Warnke
on Pick Em, Lick Em, Stick Em
Are there any decent constitutional lawyers in the house?
Mr. Coe has been barred from performing in most public forums.
He is one the last surviving Outlaws of country music. Although, Nigger Fucker has racist theme, Mr. Coe was defended by his life long friend, Charlie Pride, who inspired the song, all of his days. They were close friends until the end.
David Allen COE is elderly and we don't have long to have an opportunity to see him perform. What is more is that he deserves to use his constitutional right to free speech.
Some would like to have this song and many more that feel are offensive removed from existence. I am not a racist and recognize the foulness of the song, but, I am mature enough to turn off music or any other media that I don't like.
Personally, the Brian Adam's song, "Rum to You", makes me sick, as does Reba Macy tyre's, "Fancy" and "Whoever's in New England".
Ms. Macy tires songs if a mother pimping out her daughter and an abandoned housewife faithfully waiting for her man to return from fucking his mistress hurts women. The Brian Adam's song also hurts women. I do not for a minute believe that this music should never be heard again. It does provide opportunity to discuss these things with younger people.
I am going to delete my YouTube music account because they removed DAC for it's content. I did have much respect for YouTube for it's American spirit and patriotism even though the way they pay their talent is nonsensical. One deletion is a demonstration of what will follow. Eventually this could lead to less freedoms for all of us.
Please don't fall into the currant popular victim trend. Turn off music you don't like and get on with your day.
Or stand up to censorship of the arts.
Thank You,
Teresa Warnke
Rodan
on Cum Stains on the Pillow
Dribble it on her nose!
11inthemoney
on Itty Bitty Titty
Young sex is the best
11inthemoney
on Itty Bitty Titty
Shucks it's cool.
Rodan
on Cum Stains on the Pillow
Another AWESOME DAC song that makes me bellylaugh!!!