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."
Panheads Forever
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's hard to get started
She's always so cold
In the mornings I find her -
She's looking so old
There's so many miles
I've been down that road once or twice
When we ride through town
But I know when the chips fall
She won't let me down
She knows how to run
And she don't run around on her man
She's a high flyin' lady
She takes me where I want to be
There's no other woman
Standing between her and me
I'll always be faithful
And keep her 'til the end of time
God knows I'll always love
That old Panhead of mine
I've seen fancy dressers
And they've caught my eye
I rode'em to ride'em
Then I told them goodbye
I flirted with Low Riders
Sportsters and Shovelheads too
I cussed her and beat her
And kicked her to just get her started
A couple of times
God knows I'll always love
That old Panhead of mine.
The lyrics to David Allan Coe's Panheads Forever are a tribute to the singer's beloved Harley Davidson motorcycle, a Panhead model in particular. The song portrays the idea that the motorcycle is much more than just a machine; it is a faithful companion that takes Coe where he wants to be, and is always there when he needs her. Coe speaks about how the motorcycle has been with him down numerous roads, and while she may not look appealing to the eye, she is reliable and won't let him down when it matters most. He refers to the motorcycle as a "High Flyin' Lady," an entity that transports him to a place of freedom, individuality, and self-expression.
The second verse of the song talks about the singer's history with other motorcycle brands, including dressers, low riders, sportsters, and shovelheads. However, none of these bikes could compare to his beloved Panhead. He mentions how he "cussed her and beat her and kicked her just to get her started," demonstrating that the relationship goes both ways, with both parties putting in effort to make the partnership work. The theme of faithfulness is also prevalent throughout the song, with Coe declaring that he will always be faithful to his trusty Panhead.
Line by Line Meaning
She's hard to get started
Starting this bike is difficult
She's always so cold
The bike runs cold when it's started
In the mornings I find her -
He sees the bike first thing in the morning
She's looking so old
The bike looks old and worn out
There's so many miles
The bike has been ridden a lot
I've been down that road once or twice
He has ridden the same route before
She's not much to look at
The bike isn't very attractive
When we ride through town
They ride the bike through town
But I know when the chips fall
He knows the bike won't let him down
She knows how to run
The bike runs well
And she don't run around on her man
The bike doesn't have any mechanical issues
She's a high flyin' lady
The bike can go fast
She takes me where I want to be
He can go anywhere with the bike
There's no other woman
The bike is the only companion he needs
Standing between her and me
Nothing interferes with their relationship
I'll always be faithful
He will always take care of the bike
And keep her 'til the end of time
He will always own the bike
God knows I'll always love
He loves the bike a lot
That old Panhead of mine.
He is referring to his vintage Harley Davidson motorcycle
I've seen fancy dressers
He has seen newer, more expensive motorcycles
And they've caught my eye
He admires other motorcycles but remains loyal to his bike
I rode'em to ride'em
He has ridden other bikes just to experience them
Then I told them goodbye
He always goes back to his old bike
I flirted with Low Riders
He considered buying a different type of Harley Davidson motorcycle
Sportsters and Shovelheads too
He looked at different Harley Davidson models
I cussed her and beat her
He has gotten angry at the bike for not starting
And kicked her to just get her started
He has had to kick the bike to start it
A couple of times
He has had to do this more than once
God knows I'll always love
He loves the bike despite its faults
That old Panhead of mine.
The bike is an old Harley Davidson model called a Panhead
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@3pinkrazzberry3
My dad loved this song….just over a week since he passed away. Riding up there in heaven ❤️
@davidpoirier2564
Sorry for your loss. Mine has been gone for 10 years and it really doesn't get any easier
@bobbarker4255
God bless your dad!!!
@energyasylum997
@Bsarason3 My condolences. God rest your dad’s soul. 🙏🏼. I lost my dad a few months ago too and I miss him. Stay strong,
@Reavispade
Riding 2 wheels in the sky. Ride on brother
@nickwillhite7802
My dads dead to and he loved motorcycles he had a pan head Harley Davidson he built bikes to. And sold them. I like motorcycles because of him. I like Harley Davidson.
@lysdexic2601
My Pan always started on one kick. I just never knew which one it was gonna be ;)
@MrRockitt3
lysdexic 😂
@dennisrickert26
The last one!
@captainamerica1797
Bahahahahaggghhh!!!!