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."
Rails
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't put me in jail boys
And if I make a little noise
Just leave me alone
I've been known to party some
But I ain't never hurt no one
I've been ashamed of what I've done
I've spent most of my life in honest thinking
And I never cared too much for serious drinking
Marijuana makes my eyes start blinking
And incense make my sinuses drain
So, lay me down some rails boys
Don't put me in jail boys
And if I make a little noise
Just leave me alone
I've been known to party some
But I ain't never hurt no one
I've been ashamed of what I've done
Especially when I'm stoned
Now women make me think of consolation
Prison makes me think of isolation
Niggers made me vote for segregation
And cocaine makes me hard as a rock
So, lay me down some rails boys
Don't put me in jail boys
And if I make a little noise
Just leave me alone
I've been known to party some
But I ain't never hurt no one
I've been ashamed of what I've done
Especially when I'm stoned
Well it's hard to work for a dollar a week
And the Ku Klux Klan is bigger
So take the sheets off of your beds
And let's go hang a nigger
And lay me down some rails boys
Don't put me in jail boys
And if I make a little noise
Just leave me alone
I've been known to party some
But I ain't never hurt no one
I've been ashamed of what I've done
Especially when I'm stoned
The lyrics to David Allan Coe's "Rails" are controversial and dark in nature. The song discusses the singer's affinity for drugs, alcohol, and racists sentiments. Despite the negative connotations, the lyrics provide an insight into the thoughts and experiences of a specific individual.
The first verse expresses the singer's desire to live a free and wild lifestyle without consequence. The line "Don't put me in jail boys" suggests that the singer is aware of the consequences of his actions but is unwilling to face them. The stanza also highlights his struggles with addiction and shameful behavior.
The second verse reveals the singer's attitude towards different stimuli. He claims that marijuana and incense bring a certain level of pleasure in his life, while prison and cocaine make him feel isolated and aggressive. The lines "Niggers made me vote for segregation" showcase the singer's racial prejudices and support for white supremacy.
The final verse is arguably the most controversial part of the song. The line "let's go hang a nigger" is incredibly inflammatory and racist. It suggests mob violence and highlights the dangers of racial tension in society. The verse also highlights the singer's frustrations with his financial situation and perceived lack of power.
Overall, the lyrics to "Rails" are complex and do not condone the behavior of the singer. Rather, they provide a glimpse into an individual's troubled mind and highlight the dangers of substance abuse and racism.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, lay me down some rails boys
Please prepare the rails for me to take some drugs.
Don't put me in jail boys
Please do not imprison me for drug use.
And if I make a little noise
Please ignore any disturbances I may create while under the influence of drugs.
Just leave me alone
Please do not try to intervene or stop me from using drugs.
I've been known to party some
I enjoy socializing and participating in recreational activities, such as drug use.
But I ain't never hurt no one
Although I engage in risky behavior, I have never intentionally harmed anyone.
I've been ashamed of what I've done
I feel guilty about my drug use and other irresponsible actions.
Especially when I'm stoned
My feelings of guilt are intensified when under the influence of drugs.
Now women make me think of consolation
I seek comfort and emotional support from women.
Prison makes me think of isolation
The thought of going to jail or being incarcerated makes me feel alone and disconnected from society.
Niggers made me vote for segregation
I have racist beliefs and have discriminated against African Americans in the past.
And cocaine makes me hard as a rock
Cocaine produces a physically and mentally stimulating effect on me, making me feel invincible.
Well it's hard to work for a dollar a week
Working long hours for minimum wage is difficult and unrewarding.
And the Ku Klux Klan is bigger
The racist group Ku Klux Klan has more power and influence than working class people.
So take the sheets off of your beds
A reference to the white robes worn by members of the Ku Klux Klan.
And let's go hang a nigger
A call to participate in violent hate crimes against African Americans.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BUSTER HARDING, DIZZY GILLESPIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gojjjddoooj
Im so thankful for this post!! i work with a bunch of mexican who blast their music at work and i cannot stand that... i will be playing this louder than everyone!
@nbroachful
😂😂😂
@BamaBoyPickz
Boy you tryna get fired 😂
@harry554
lol nah those Mexicans feel the same way lol
@gregorydiggs9227
Doing rails and here I listen again. Must be a tradition. Drunk as fuck too. Thanks Dad for showing me this 35 years ago
@huntbeballin
great dad 👍🏼
@andrewbrown7970
So true dude 🙏
@nbroachful
Yep. Dad used to have this album and I just threw down 60 bucks for it on Amazon because I don't know what happened to it.
@nbroachful
Me too man. Me too.
@mattbumgarner6942
Hell yea