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 [β¦] 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 β and even Cash."
Long Haired Redneck
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They'd never come to see me in this dive
Where bikers stare at cowboys who are laughing at the hippies
Who are praying they'll get outta here alive
The loud mouth in the corner's gettin' to me
Talking 'bout my earrings and my hair
I guess he ain't read the signs that say I been to prison
'Cause my long hair just can't cover up my red neck
I've won every fight, I've ever fought
Hey, I don't need some turkey telling me that I ain't country
And sayin' I ain't worth the damned ol' ticket that he bought
'Cause I can sing all them songs about Texas
And I still do all the sad ones that I know
They tell me, I look like Merle Haggard
And sound a lot like David Allen Coe
And the bar maid in the last town that we played in
Knew the words to every song I'd wrote
She said, Jimmy Rabbit turned her on to my last album
Just about the time the jukebox broke
Yeah, Johny Cash helped me get out of prison
Long before Rodriguez stole that goat
I've been the Rhinestone Cowboy for so long, I can't remember
And I can do you every song, Hank Williams ever wrote
And I can sing all them songs about Texas
And I still do all the sad ones that I know
I can't help it, I look like Merle Haggard
And I sound a lot like David Allen Coe
But the country deejays, all think I'm an outlaw
And they'd never come to see me in this dive
Where bikers stare at cowboys who are laughing at the hippies
Who are praying they'll get out of here alive
The loud mouth in the corner's gettin' to me
Talking 'bout my earrings and my hair
David Allan Coe's song "Long Haired Redneck" speaks to the thematic tension of being a self-defined outsider in the country music industry. The song starts off with the singer's knowledge of deejays regarding him as an outlaw, which is not that uncommon for a country musician. However, the song's second line gives an insight into the singer's reality as he's playing in a low-end joint where even the deejays wouldn't dare show their face. In the joint, bikers are staring at cowboys who are laughing at the hippies, a portrayal of the different elements of society in the 1970s.
Throughout the song, the singer is called out by the loud-mouthed man, who makes frequent references to his earrings and long hair, indicating the symbolic association between socio-cultural representations and gender identifiers. The singer is quick to point out that he's been to prison and has won every fight he has ever fought. He also acknowledges that he doesn't need validation from someone stating he's not a legitimate country musician, especially as he can sing about Texas and perform all the sad songs he knows. The singer's pride in his extensive knowledge of country music is further highlighted when he mentions that someone told him he looks and sounds like David Allan Coe, a comparison that he takes as a compliment.
Line by Line Meaning
Country deejays knows that I'm an outlaw
The DJs who play country music consider me to be a rebel and a lawbreaker
They'd never come to see me in this dive
They wouldn't dare venture to this dingy establishment where rough-looking bikers, cowboys and hippies jostle for space
Where bikers stare at cowboys who are laughing at the hippies
The patrons of the bar, divided into factions based on their appearance and demeanor, express their mutual disdain through covert staring, sneering and snickering
Who are praying they'll get outta here alive
Each group secretly wishes to avoid an altercation or confrontation with the others and leave the establishment unscathed
The loud mouth in the corner's gettin' to me
A brash and opinionated person sitting in the corner is annoying me with his derogatory comments and insults
Talking 'bout my earrings and my hair
He is ridiculing my appearance, particularly my jewelry and hairstyle
I guess he ain't read the signs that say I been to prison
He seems unaware that I have a criminal record and have served time in jail for my misdeeds
Someone ought to warn him 'fore I knock him off his chair
If he continues to provoke or disrespect me, I might resort to physical violence and knock him off his seat
'Cause my long hair just can't cover up my red neck
Despite my unconventional appearance, I am still a true blue, country-bred person at heart
I've won every fight, I've ever fought
I am a skilled fighter who has emerged victorious from every physical altercation I've ever been in
Hey, I don't need some turkey telling me that I ain't country
I don't require someone else's validation or approval that I embody the essence of country music and culture
And sayin' I ain't worth the damned ol' ticket that he bought
If someone dismisses me or belittles me based on stereotypes, prejudices or assumptions, then he doesn't deserve to enjoy or appreciate my music
'Cause I can sing all them songs about Texas
I can perform all the classic country songs that evoke the spirit, history and majesty of Texas
And I still do all the sad ones that I know
I don't shy away from exploring the emotional depth, vulnerability and pain that are inherent in many of the ballads and slow tunes in country music
They tell me, I look like Merle Haggard
People often compare my facial features, expressions and demeanor to those of the legendary country singer Merle Haggard
And sound a lot like David Allen Coe
Many listeners and critics note the similarity in my singing voice and musical style to that of David Allen Coe, another influential figure in country music
And the bar maid in the last town that we played in
In our recent performance at a different venue, a female server who worked there recognized me and complimented me on my songs
Knew the words to every song I'd wrote
She was familiar with all my original compositions and could sing along with the lyrics
She said, Jimmy Rabbit turned her on to my last album
She credited a radio host named Jimmy Rabbit for introducing her to my latest recording and igniting her interest in my music
Just about the time the jukebox broke
This happened around the time when a mechanical failure or defect occurred in the jukebox, rendering it useless
Yeah, Johny Cash helped me get out of prison
Johnny Cash, another renowned country singer and songwriter, provided moral support and encouragement during my incarceration and helped me in some way to regain my freedom
Long before Rodriguez stole that goat
This happened a long time ago, before a certain person with the surname Rodriguez committed a famous or notorious act of theft involving a goat
I've been the Rhinestone Cowboy for so long, I can't remember
For a considerable period of time, I've been known for wearing flashy or flamboyant costumes and accessories that sparkle and shimmer like rhinestones, a persona symbolized by the nickname 'Rhinestone Cowboy'
And I can do you every song, Hank Williams ever wrote
I have an extensive knowledge and repertoire of the timeless and enduring songs created by one of the pioneers and legends of country music, Hank Williams
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Bluewater Music Corp., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: David Allan Coe, Jimmy Rabbit
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!!!