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."
Outro
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Last time we met I wasn't to sure
Now I'm hoping, maybe dreaming, for a life as one
When she reads this I'm hoping she'll call
But I need much more than before
I need positive reactions whenever I'm down
Cause I'm sure so sure
Sure so sure so baby come on inside
Need you so much more and more each time we touch
Sure so sure that it's sweet love I found
It isn't a game so don't play hard to get
(Tired of running after you)
There's no connections holding us down (down)
Isn't it a shame it never happened
Though still here we are the second time round
It's gotta be social, compatible, sexual, irresistible
It's gotta be right for love
Sure so sure
That it's heaven knocking on my door
Sure so sure so baby come on inside
Need you so much more and more each time we touch
Sure so sure that it's sweet love I found
Holdin', squeezin', touchin', teasin'
Wantin', wishin', waitin', teasin'
Of you love, yeah yeah
Blindin', groovin', feel it, move it
Findin', breathin', brakin', breedin'
With you girl
It's gotta be social, compatible, sexual, irresistible
It's gotta be right for love
Cause I'm sure so sure
That it's heaven knocking on my door
Sure so sure so baby come on inside
Need you so much more and more each time we touch
Sure so sure that it's sweet love I found
The lyrics of this song express the desire and longing of the singer for his lover. The feelings and emotions the singer expresses are intense and passionate. The first verse talks about how the singer is anxiously waiting for his lover, hoping for a chance of a better life together. He acknowledges that their previous meeting was uncertain, but he's now hopeful that they can start anew. He needs her positive reactions to lift him up whenever he's feeling low. The refrain repeats the phrase "sure so sure" several times, expressing the singer's confidence in the love he's found and how he perceives it as something magical that's knocking on his door.
The second verse moves into a more serious tone, with the singer telling his lover that he's tired of chasing after her and that there's nothing holding them back from being together. He laments that they missed out on so much in the past, but now they have a second chance to make things right. The bridge then repeats the idea that love must be social, compatible, sexual, and irresistible for it to be right. This emphasizes the need for a strong connection between partners for it to grow and flourish.
Overall, the song is a declaration of love and longing, with the singer expressing his certainty that he has found something special that he wants to hold on to forever.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sitting here waiting for my lover
The singer is currently waiting for their lover to arrive.
Last time we met I wasn't to sure
The singer felt uncertain about their relationship the last time they were together.
Now I'm hoping, maybe dreaming, for a life as one
The singer is hoping for a future together with their lover, potentially even marriage.
When she reads this I'm hoping she'll call
The artist hopes that their lover will reach out to them after hearing this song.
But I need much more than before
The artist requires more from their relationship than they did in the past.
I need positive reactions whenever I'm down
The singer requires their partner to be supportive when they are feeling down or upset.
Cause I'm sure so sure
The singer is confident in their feelings for their lover.
That it's heaven knocking on my door
The artist believes that their lover is a gift from heaven and feels blessed to have them in their life.
Sure so sure so baby come on inside
The artist is urging their partner to come inside and be with them.
Need you so much more and more each time we touch
The artist desires their partner more and more with each physical interaction.
Sure so sure that it's sweet love I found
The singer is certain that they have found true love.
It isn't a game so don't play hard to get
The artist is asking their partner not to play games or be difficult in their relationship.
(Tired of running after you)
The singer is exhausted from putting in effort to maintain the relationship with their partner.
There's no connections holding us down (down)
The singer doesn't feel tied down or restricted in their relationship.
Isn't it a shame it never happened
The singer regrets that their relationship didn't start earlier.
Though still here we are the second time round
The artist is grateful to have a second chance with their partner.
It's gotta be social, compatible, sexual, irresistible
The artist lists their requirements for a successful relationship: social, compatible, sexual and irresistible.
It's gotta be right for love
The singer emphasizes that the relationship must be suitable for true love to exist.
Holdin', squeezin', touchin', teasin'
The singer describes various physical interactions with their partner.
Wantin', wishin', waitin', teasin'
The artist describes their desire for their partner and the anticipation leading up to physical interactions.
Of you love, yeah yeah
The artist admits to being in love with their partner.
Blindin', groovin', feel it, move it
The artist further describes physical interactions with their partner.
Findin', breathin', brakin', breedin'
The singer lists various actions taken during physical interactions with their partner.
With you girl
The artist addresses their partner and reiterates their love for them.
Cause I'm sure so sure
The singer reiterates their confidence in their feelings for their partner.
That it's heaven knocking on my door
The singer again emphasizes that their partner is a blessing and feels grateful to have them in their life.
Sure so sure so baby come on inside
The singer continues to urge their partner to come be with them.
Need you so much more and more each time we touch
The artist restates their desire for their partner with each physical interaction.
Sure so sure that it's sweet love I found
The artist reiterates that they have found true love.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: David Allan Coe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
janis jop
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