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."
Love is Just a Porpoise
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've had my share of fair weather lovers
They always leave just ahead of the rain
Searching for sunshine and looking for pleasure
Two steps ahead of the last hurricane
If this is a chance then I'm gonna take it
Heaven knows I've taking chances before
Unless you first take your feet off the shore
There's not a cloud up in the sky
Give me one good reason why
We should set our sails for somewhere
Other that the sunny side of nowhere
Freedom's in the eagles wings, baby
Listen to those seagulls sing, maybe
Love is just a porpoise
Playing in the tropical sun
Let me tell you girl
That ocean get big when your
Halfway across it
And this ship of love's seen a lot of bad days
Sometimes it's harder to row with the current
Most of my life I've just rocked on the waves
If this is a game then I'm gonna play it
I need your love like those sails need wind
Just climb aboard, girl, and pull up the anchor
Now is the time for our love to begin
Woo, there's not a cloud up in the sky
Not a cloud up in the sky
Not a cloud up in the sky
Give me one good reason why
It's a fairy tale morning
In David Allan Coe's song "Love is Just a Propose," the lyrics reflect the singer's experience with past relationships of fair weather lovers who leave at the sign of stormy weather. The singer candidly admits that he has taken many chances before, but is willing to take another one if it means finding something real. He believes that it is challenging to maintain relationships when you are living in fear, unless you take a risk and become vulnerable to new experiences.
The singer then encourages the listener to join him on this journey towards true love, despite the challenges that may accompany it. The song paints a picturesque scene of tropical sunshine, seagulls singing, and freedom found in the wings of eagles. He likens love to a porpoise, playful and free from typical societal norms, existing solely for pleasure. The ocean is vast and unpredictable, but the singer suggests that with each other, they can navigate through the current and create their own love story.
Overall, the song's lyrics depict a desire for something genuine and the willingness to take a chance despite past failures. The singer encourages the listener to take a leap of faith and embrace love's unpredictability.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody knows that I've had my share of fair weather lovers
It's common knowledge that I've had many lovers who only stick around during good times
They always leave just ahead of the rain
My former partners always leave before things become difficult
Searching for sunshine and looking for pleasure
They're always chasing happiness and avoiding any hardships
Two steps ahead of the last hurricane
They're always trying to stay one step ahead of any obstacles or problems
If this is a chance then I'm gonna take it
If there's an opportunity for love, I'm going to try for it
Heaven knows I've taking chances before
I've taken risks in love before and I'm willing to do it again
It's hard to live with your eyes on the sparrow
It's difficult to focus on the present when you're constantly worried about the future
Unless you first take your feet off the shore
You have to be willing to take a risk and leave your comfort zone
There's not a cloud up in the sky
The future looks bright
Give me one good reason why
What reasons do we have not to take this chance on love?
We should set our sails for somewhere other that the sunny side of nowhere
We should take a chance on a new location or situation, even if it's not a guaranteed paradise
Freedom's in the eagles wings, baby
Freedom is found in taking risks and soaring to new heights
Listen to those seagulls sing, maybe
Let's appreciate the beauty of the current moment
Love is just a porpoise playing in the tropical sun
Love is a fleeting and unpredictable thing
Let me tell you girl that ocean get big when your halfway across it
The challenges of love can become magnified and overwhelming when you're committed
And this ship of love's seen a lot of bad days
I've had many failed relationships and tough times in the past
Sometimes it's harder to row with the current
Sometimes it's easier to resist temptation and stay on the right path
Most of my life I've just rocked on the waves
I've spent much of my life going with the flow and not taking charge of my destiny
I need your love like those sails need wind
I need your love to give me direction and purpose
Just climb aboard, girl, and pull up the anchor
Let's commit to each other and leave behind any doubts or hesitations
Now is the time for our love to begin
We shouldn't delay in starting our relationship
Woo, there's not a cloud up in the sky
The future looks bright and optimistic
Not a cloud up in the sky
The future looks bright and optimistic
Not a cloud up in the sky
The future looks bright and optimistic
Give me one good reason why
What reasons do we have not to take this chance on love?
It's a fairy tale morning
It's a perfect and romantic moment to start something new
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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!!!