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."
Juanita
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way the tarantulas bite
Those federals didn't believe
I only came here to watch the bulls fight
Tell my mother, "I need a good lawyer"
Tell my father, "I'm getting a tan"
My sleepy siesta down south of the border
Oh Juanita somebody betrayed me
They've given me ten years to life
Juanita I need you to save me
I promise I'll make you my wife
I got a big house in Milwaukee
With a color TV and a pool
A Naugahyde bar and a Cadillac car
Juanita they're waiting for you
Tie the burro up down in the courtyard
To keep the guard busy tonight
When you bring my dinner make sure the tortilla
Is filled with a gun or a knife
Hey Juanita somebody betrayed me
They've given me ten years to life
Juanita I need you to save me
I promise I'll make you my wife
Juanita you'll love Wisconsin
Wisconsin is gonna love you
Yes, all of Milwaukee speaks Spanish
Of course you're gonna wear American shoes
Lake Michigan tastes like tequila
Frijoles why they grow there on trees
You can say adios to the pigs and the goats
If you'll just do this one thing for me
But Juanita somebody betrayed me
They've given me ten years to life
Juanita I need you to save me
I promise I'll make you my wife
Juanita, I, I swear it was all a mistake
You see I was drowning out there in the ocean
And I saw this bale coming by man
So I grabbed it and I climbed up on top of it
And I found this stick and I rowed myself into shore
And when I got there
The border patrol was waiting for me
At the I didn't know what it was
I promise you if you'll just marry me
So I can become a citizen of Mexico
I'll take you to Milwaukee
You can meet all my friends
They got these big shiny motorcycles
And you can ride on the back of 'em with 'em
Really, Juanita would I lie to you?
The song “Juanita” by David Allan Coe tells the story of a man who finds himself in trouble with the law after coming to Mexico to watch bullfights. The authorities put him in prison for ten years to life for reasons that are not explicitly stated in the song. The singer requests his sweetheart, Juanita, to help him escape from jail and promises to marry her if she successfully accomplishes the plan. The lyrics involve elements of betrayal, desperation, promises, and cultural differences as the man prepares to flee to Milwaukee with Juanita.
The opening lines of the song establish the setting and the singer's state of mind. He has grown accustomed to his new surroundings, including getting used to the tarantulas biting him. What's interesting about this setup is that it contrasts the threatening nature of the environment with the casual tone of the singer. He tells his friend or girlfriend, Juanita, that he has been wrongly imprisoned and needs her help to escape. The chorus of the song repeats the same plea, highlighting the urgency of his desire to leave Mexico.
The song also has a humorous tone that blends well with the dark themes of the lyrics. The singer's account of his experience in Milwaukee sounds exaggerated and unreal, which creates an ironic effect. He describes a massive house with a color TV and a pool, a Cadillac car, and a Naugahyde bar. He convinces Juanita that Lake Michigan tastes like tequila, and that the frijoles grow on trees in Wisconsin. The absurdity of these claims implies that the man is not entirely honest with Juanita and that he might be using her to escape.
Overall, the song “Juanita” by David Allan Coe tells a story of a man who is convinced to flee jail with the help of his sweetheart. The lyrics are filled with irony and humor that enhance the theme of betrayal and cultural differences. Through his lyrics, Coe captures the character's desperation, vivid imagination, and longing for freedom, making "Juanita" a compelling piece of storytelling.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm finally gettin' used to the water
The singer is adjusting to the environment they are currently in.
The way the tarantulas bite
The singer is acknowledging the dangerous aspects of their surroundings
Those federals didn't believe
The singer had some sort of interaction with law enforcement officials who did not trust them.
I only came here to watch the bulls fight
The artist is claiming that they did not commit a crime, and were simply present as a spectator.
Tell my mother, "I need a good lawyer"
The artist is requesting legal assistance.
Tell my father, "I'm getting a tan"
The singer is informing their father that they are in a warm, sunny location.
My sleepy siesta down south of the border / Is taking more time than I planned
The singer is waiting out their situation and it is taking longer than anticipated.
Oh Juanita somebody betrayed me / They've given me ten years to life / Juanita I need you to save me / I promise I'll make you my wife
The artist claims to have been wrongfully convicted, and is asking Juanita to help them.
I got a big house in Milwaukee / With a color TV and a pool / A Naugahyde bar and a Cadillac car / Juanita they're waiting for you
The artist is discussing their comfortable life in Milwaukee and inviting Juanita to join them.
Tie the burro up down in the courtyard / To keep the guard busy tonight / When you bring my dinner make sure the tortilla / Is filled with a gun or a knife
The artist is advising Juanita on how to sneak weapons into their holding.
Hey Juanita somebody betrayed me / They've given me ten years to life / Juanita I need you to save me / I promise I'll make you my wife
The singer is repeating their request for Juanita’s help.
Juanita you'll love Wisconsin / Wisconsin is gonna love you / Yes, all of Milwaukee speaks Spanish / Of course you're gonna wear American shoes
The artist is promising Juanita a welcoming environment in Milwaukee.
Lake Michigan tastes like tequila / Frijoles why they grow there on trees / You can say adios to the pigs and the goats / If you'll just do this one thing for me
The singer is describing the wonders of the area to Juanita.
But Juanita somebody betrayed me / They've given me ten years to life / Juanita I need you to save me / I promise I'll make you my wife
The singer repeats their request again.
Juanita, I, I swear it was all a mistake / You see I was drowning out there in the ocean / And I saw this bale coming by man / So I grabbed it and I climbed up on top of it / And I found this stick and I rowed myself into shore
And when I got there / The border patrol was waiting for me / At the I didn't know what it was / I promise you if you'll just marry me / So I can become a citizen of Mexico
I'll take you to Milwaukee / You can meet all my friends / They got these big shiny motorcycles / And you can ride on the back of 'em with 'em
Really, Juanita would I lie to you?
The singer makes a last-ditch effort to convince Juanita of their innocence, and also highlights various enjoyable aspects of their life in Milwaukee.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KOLLER, SILVERSTEIN
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!!!