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."
Just in Time
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the grass has grown up more than she'd allow
Yes it looks to me to be a little more than a vacation
Never knew that I'd miss her until now
From both ends the candle seemed to burn much brighter
I guess she saw the flame I tried so hard to die
Looks like I'm the one that got caught in the middle burnt my finger
I got there just in time to watch love die
There's a change of address blank inside her mailbox
And the key she usually left for me is not here
Yes it's plain to see that she no longer needs an explanation
Guess I should have known I would not find her here
From both ends the candle seemed.
But I got there much too late to say goodbye
The lyrics of David Allan Coe's "Just in Time" paint a picture of regret as the singer realizes the consequences of taking his love for granted. He notices that his partner's lawn is overgrown and a pile of newspapers have gathered at her doorstep, indicating her absence as something more permanent than a vacation. In the past, the singer may have wanted to leave but now that she's gone, he realizes how much he misses her. The line “From both ends the candle seemed to burn much brighter, I guess she saw the flame I tried so hard to die” suggests that the singer's love has dwindled over time, whereas his partner's love for him flickered more strongly. Finally, the singer arrives just in time to witness the end of their love story, unable to save it from the flames of burning passion that have already burned out. In the end, the change of address blank in her mailbox suggests that she has moved on, leaving the singer alone to lament about what he has lost.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a stack of daily papers on her doorstep
She hasn't been home in a while, as evidenced by the pile of unread newspapers outside.
And the grass has grown up more than she'd allow
The lawn has grown quite a bit, suggesting that she hasn't been around to maintain it.
Yes it looks to me to be a little more than a vacation
Based on the evidence, it seems like she's been gone for longer than just a vacation or trip.
Never knew that I'd miss her until now
He didn't realize how much he cared about her until she was gone.
From both ends the candle seemed to burn much brighter
Their relationship was intense and passionate, but it couldn't last forever.
I guess she saw the flame I tried so hard to die
He was probably trying to end the relationship, but she could see that he was still attached and didn't want to let go.
Looks like I'm the one that got caught in the middle burnt my finger
He got hurt in the crossfire of their relationship, even though he was trying to put it out.
I got there just in time to watch love die
He arrived too late to save the relationship, and had to witness its demise.
Yes I got there just in time to watch love die mhm mhm
This line is a repetition of the previous one, emphasizing the pain of the situation.
There's a change of address blank inside her mailbox
She's moved out of her old residence, as indicated by the blank form for a change of address.
And the key she usually left for me is not here
He used to have easy access to her place, but she's apparently taken away that privilege.
Yes it's plain to see that she no longer needs an explanation
She's made up her mind to leave, and isn't interested in hearing excuses or apologies.
Guess I should have known I would not find her here
He's starting to realize that she's truly gone, and he won't be able to find her where she used to be.
But I got there much too late to say goodbye
He didn't have a chance to bid her farewell, because he showed up after she'd already left.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID ALLAN COE, JIMMY TOWNSEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
william bracken
been a long time fan