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."
Lay Me Down Some Rails
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and dont put me in jail boys
and if i make a little noise
just leave me alone
ive been known to party some
but i ain't never hurt no one
ive been ashamed of what ive done
especially when im stoned
The song "Lay Me Down Some Rails" by David Allan Coe portrays a troubled individual who enjoys partying but is aware of the consequences of his actions on his well-being. The singer begs those around him to lay him down some rails, which may imply that he needs to escape or change his ways from his current situation. He also hopes not to be put in jail, which could be due to his preference for partying, among other reasons. However, if he makes noise, he asks to be left alone to face his problems.
The singer admits to occasionally doing things he is not proud of, especially when he's under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These actions have brought him shame, and he fears the repercussions of his behavior as it can have adverse effects on his life. The song illustrates the consequences of addiction and self-destructive behavior the individual faces, making him realize the need for help.
Overall, the lyrics of "Lay Me Down Some Rails" suggest that the singer recognizes his issues and is seeking a way out despite the imminent risks he might face.
Line by Line Meaning
hey lay me down some rails boys
Please build me a railroad track, my dear friends
and dont put me in jail boys
Please don't imprison me, dear friends
and if i make a little noise
And if I happen to make some loud sound
just leave me alone
Please let me be, and don't bother me
ive been known to party some
I enjoy having a good time on occasion
but i ain't never hurt no one
I've never intentionally caused harm to anyone
ive been ashamed of what ive done
I have felt regretful about my past actions
especially when im stoned
Especially when influenced by drugs
Contributed by Adeline H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gojjjddoooj
Im so thankful for this post!! i work with a bunch of mexican who blast their music at work and i cannot stand that... i will be playing this louder than everyone!
@nbroachful
😂😂😂
@BamaBoyPickz
Boy you tryna get fired 😂
@harry554
lol nah those Mexicans feel the same way lol
@gregorydiggs9227
Doing rails and here I listen again. Must be a tradition. Drunk as fuck too. Thanks Dad for showing me this 35 years ago
@huntbeballin
great dad 👍🏼
@andrewbrown7970
So true dude 🙏
@nbroachful
Yep. Dad used to have this album and I just threw down 60 bucks for it on Amazon because I don't know what happened to it.
@nbroachful
Me too man. Me too.
@mattbumgarner6942
Hell yea