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."
Storms Never Last
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bad times, all pass with the wind
Your hand in mine, steal the thunder
You make the sun wanna shine
I followed you down each and every road, babe
I picked wild flower, sung you soft, sad song
And every road we took, I know, your search was for the truth
Storms never last, do they, baby?
Bad times, all pass with the wind
Your hand in mine steal the thunder
You make the sun wanna shine
Storms never last, do they, baby?
Bad times, all pass with the wind
Your hand in mine steal the thunder
You make the sun wanna shine
You said you make the sun wanna shine
The song Storms Never Last by David Allan Coe is a poignant love song that seems to describe a couple who has gone through their fair share of struggles but have managed to overcome them because of their love for each other. The lyrics suggest that the storms of life, be it the bad times or the rough patches in a relationship, are temporary and always pass with time. The singer talks about having followed his beloved through the ups and downs of life, and in doing so, they have discovered the truth behind their relationship. The storms that they once faced have now dissipated, and they can finally see the sun shining through.
The opening lines of the song seem to suggest that the singer is talking to his beloved, reassuring her that the bad times will pass. He repeats this several times throughout the song, as if trying to underscore the importance of this message. The chorus talks about holding hands and stealing the thunder, which might suggest that they are working together to overcome the struggles they face. The lines 'You make the sun wanna shine' seems to suggest that his beloved has a healing effect on him, and she brings light to his life.
Overall, the song is a testament to the idea that love can overcome all obstacles. It tells the story of a couple who has been through hard times but has managed to come through it all because of their commitment to each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Storms never last, do they, baby?
Life is full of challenges and storms, but eventually they all pass away. It's a reminder that no matter what struggles we face, there is always a brighter and better tomorrow.
Bad times, all pass with the wind
No matter what tough times we face, they all eventually pass and make way for better days. Inevitably, we forget the bad times as time goes on and look forward to the future.
Your hand in mine, steal the thunder
Together, we can conquer anything. No matter how loud a storm may be, holding hands with someone you love makes it seem less daunting and frightening.
You make the sun wanna shine
Being with the right person can make even the darkest and gloomiest days suddenly more beautiful, happier, and brighter. It's a testament to the power of love and companionship.
I followed you down each and every road, babe
No matter where life takes us, we will always be there for each other. Whether it's in good times or bad, we will always have each other's backs and support each other through everything.
I picked wild flower, sung you soft, sad song
No matter what hardships we faced, we always found joy in the little things in life. Even in sad times, we found beauty in the simple things that made us happy.
And every road we took, I know, your search was for the truth
We went through many ups and downs together, always searching for the truth in everything we did. In times of struggle, we never lost sight of the things that truly mattered to us.
And this storm that's brewin' now won't last long
Even when things seem bad, we know that this is only a temporary storm, and brighter days are ahead. We have faith in each other and in ourselves to weather any storm that comes our way.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jessi Colter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jd450lh
Totally awesome rendition of one of Waylon and Jessie's best known songs. This is best I've heard David Allen Coe perform in quite some time. Way to go David! Have a blessed weekend, Jeff
Fabian Bradbury
great song david , keep the good ones commin.........
strawman8
DAC and Kimberly this song rings true.Great tribute to Waylon and Rita.Great rendition.Thanks.
Fabian Bradbury
good one david , keep the good ones comminn
memmnock
A good heart felt song :) waylon is my fav snger and will never die :)
Lon Meister
Still a great song.
Steve Foster
Nice song