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."
Pick
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you gotta learn how ta pick em son learn how ta lick em son learn how to stick em son between the thighs and you got to try not to beat em too much try not to teach em too much try not to feed em to much bull shit and lies
He sat down and poured some whisky and he mixed it up with water here's a picture of my daughter he would say and he would sigh and he would drink and laugh a little as he picked up that old fiddle that same ol riddle I never did know why
you gotta learn how ta pick em son learn how ta lick em son learn how to stick em son between the thighs and you got to try not to beat em too much try not to teach em too much try not to feed em to much bull shit and lies
you got to learn how ta suck em daughter learn how ta fuck em daughter learn how ta take their money and learn how ta cry you got to try not to hold em too much try not to scold em too much try not to feed em too much bull shit and lies
You gotta learn how ta pick em son learn how ta lick em son learn how to stick em son between the thighs and you got to try not to beat em too much try not to teach em too much try not to feed em to much bull shit and lies
The lyrics of David Allan Coe's song Pick 'em Lick 'em Stick 'em describe a conversation between a young man and an older man, whom he calls the "soul man". The younger man is seeking advice regarding women, and the soul man is more than happy to oblige with his wisdom on the subject. He speaks of the various women he has been intimate with, both prostitutes and ladies, and his ability to tell good stories. The soul man then passes on his knowledge, telling the young man that he needs to learn how to "pick em, lick em, and stick em" between their thighs, while trying not to beat them too much or feed them too many lies.
The conversation then shifts to the soul man's daughter, and how he has raised her. He speaks about how he has taught her about men and love, telling her that men are plain and simple, and love is like a pimple. He instructs her how to hold on tighter and not to let men fight her, and then imparts a poem upon her on his dying day, telling her to learn how to "suck em, fuck em, take their money and cry", but again warning her not to feed them too much bull and lies.
The lyrics of this song are often interpreted as being misogynistic and objectifying towards women. However, they can also be seen as a reflection of the culture in which they were written, where objectification of women was more accepted. Regardless of interpretation, the song provides a glimpse into the attitudes towards women that were prevalent in society at the time.
Line by Line Meaning
I was 15 going on 20 when I met up with the soul man he was quite a lover of the cards and of the dice and he had whores and he had ladies he made love and he made babies he could tell some damn good stories and give some good advise
At a young age, the singer met a man who was involved in gambling, prostitution, and was experienced in relationships. This man would tell fascinating stories and give good advice.
He sat down and poured some whisky and he mixed it up with water here's a picture of my daughter he would say and he would sigh and he would drink and laugh a little as he picked up that old fiddle that same ol riddle I never did know why
The man would sit, drink, and reminisce while showing a picture of his daughter. He would then laugh and play music, but the singer couldn't figure out why the man did the same things every time they met.
now the years I've seen him burried his daughter and me married I was sure he raised her right an taught her how ta fuck when I asked her what he told her shed said he'd never skold her he would always hold her but he never told her much well he told her men were plain and simple told her love was like a pimple once you squeez the juices out it just goes away he taught her how ta hold on tighter and her taught her not to let men fight her and then there was this poem he taught her on his dyin days
Over time, the man's daughter was buried, and the singer married. The singer assumed the man raised his daughter right and taught her how to have healthy relationships, but when asked, the daughter said the man didn't say much. He did teach her to hold on tighter and not get into fights with men. On his deathbed, the man taught the daughter a poem about love being temporary.
You gotta learn how ta pick em son learn how ta lick em son learn how to stick em son between the thighs and you got to try not to beat em too much try not to teach em too much try not to feed em to much bull shit and lies
The man's advice was to learn how to choose sexual partners, perform sexual acts, and maintain those relationships. However, the artist should avoid being abusive or manipulative and also avoid lying to their partner.
you got to learn how ta suck em daughter learn how ta fuck em daughter learn how ta take their money and learn how ta cry you got to try not to hold em too much try not to scold em too much try not to feed em too much bull shit and lies
The man's advice to his daughter was to learn how to give oral sex, have sex, take the partner's money, and act vulnerable. However, the daughter should avoid being too clingy or critical and also avoid lying to their partner.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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@peterpashtenko5199
I was 15 goin' on 20 when I met up with this old man
He was quite a lover of the cards and of the dice
He had whores and he had ladies, he made love and he made babies
He could tell some damn good stories and give some good advice
[Chorus:]
You gotta learn how to pick 'em son, learn how to lick 'em son,
Learn how to stick 'em son between the thighs.
You gotta try not to beat 'em too much, try not to teach 'em too much,
Try not to feed 'em too much bullshit and lies.
He'd sit down and pour some whiskey, then he'd mix it up with water.
Here's a picture of my daughter he would say, then he would sigh.
Then he'd drink and laugh a little, as he picked up that old fiddle.
That same old riddle, I never did know why.
[Chorus]
Now the years have seen him buried, his daughter and me married.
I was sure he raised her right and taught her how to fuck.
When I asked her what he told her, she said he'd never scold her.
He would always hold her, but he never told her much.
But he told her men were plain and simple. He told her love was like a pimple.
Once you squeeze the juices out, it just goes away.
He taught her how to hold on tighter, and he taught her not to let men fight her.
Then there was this poem he taught her on his dying day.
You got to learn how to suck 'em daughter, learn how to fuck 'em daughter.
Learn how to take their money, learn how to cry.
You got to try not to hold 'em too much, try not to scold 'em too much.
Try not to feed 'em too much bullshit and lies.
@brian5o
“Love is like a pimple. Once you squeeze the juices out it just dries and goes away.”
No wiser words have ever been spoken.
@aqua6613
I guess the person with cystic acne is very blessed in the love department...one is squeezed dry...plenty of other ones to pop 😅
@sicariusperemo3789
Well, don't eat yellow snow... There is a possibility, that someones yoghurt cannon has caused it!!!
@sicariusperemo3789
@AQUA And that person should stop eating simple carbs instantly ;)
@nomad7397
Leaves a mess,hopefully without a rash ,
@mikehunt7888
Dried up and left a permanent scar.
@AdamtheEnglishViking
Played this to my son years back. Essential listening for any young man IMO.
@Mudduck612
Coworker who was taught me to drive stick played this during the training. Don't know which I'm more thankful for. This song or helping me get my Class A manual
@mattdunster
Congrats on gettin your class 1 brother🔥
@wilfredhaggart7657
@Bobby Hill thank you