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."
Take It Easy Rider
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's no one to stop you, doesn't it look easy rider now?
Take it easy rider you can make it easy rider
There's no one to stop you, doesn't it look easy rider now?
Well, I saw my first rodeo in Amarillo, Texas
Busting broncos is more than just a way to make a living
Horses were like women, they were fast and fancy free
I saw Shirley stoker up in pan head West Virginia
Her and Connie Shovelhead was standing in the rain
Both of them were dressers, Lord they sure were looking pretty
Motorcycle fever has almost drove me insane
Eighteen were rollin' when I climbed up in that Ken Worth
Me oh my, that semi was the apple of my eye
Horses, trucks and motorcycles sure makes life worth living
Hope I never see the day, I kiss them all good bye
"Take It Easy Rider" by David Allan Coe is a song that speaks to those who live their lives freely and without any hindrances. The lyrics convey the idea of taking life at your own pace and enjoying the ride, with nobody to stop you. The chorus repeats "take it easy rider, you can make it easy rider, there's no one to stop you, doesn't it look easy rider now?", which emphasizes the importance of living life to the fullest.
Throughout the song, Coe reflects on the different experiences he's had in his life that have shown him the value of living freely. He remembers seeing his first rodeo in Amarillo, Texas, where he saw horses buck and kick in the same way that people live their lives. He also remembers meeting two women, Shirley Stoker and Connie Shovelhead, who were dressed in their finest attire, looking beautiful despite the rain. The women were both passionate about their motorcycles, which made Coe experience motorcycle fever, almost driving him insane.
Coe's reflection on his life experiences is a reminder that we should all be free to live our lives without any reservations. The song encourages people to take life at their own pace, enjoy every moment and appreciate the beauty in everything around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Take it easy rider you can make it easy rider
Don't stress, you've got this
There's no one to stop you, doesn't it look easy rider now?
There are no obstacles, doesn't that make it easier?
Well, I saw my first rodeo in Amarillo, Texas
I attended my first rodeo in Amarillo, Texas
Busting broncos is more than just a way to make a living
Riding wild horses is more than just a profession
Horses were like women, they were fast and fancy free
Horses shared similar traits with women - fast and wild
I saw Shirley stoker up in pan head West Virginia
I witnessed Shirley Stoker in Pan Head, West Virginia
Her and Connie Shovelhead was standing in the rain
She and Connie Shovelhead were standing in the rain
Both of them were dressers, Lord they sure were looking pretty
Both of them were fashionable, and looked stunning
Motorcycle fever has almost drove me insane
My love for motorcycles has almost driven me to madness
Eighteen were rollin' when I climbed up in that Ken Worth
Eighteen wheels were rolling when I climbed into the Kenworth truck
Me oh my, that semi was the apple of my eye
I was in love with that semi-truck
Horses, trucks and motorcycles sure makes life worth living
The thrill of horses, trucks, and motorcycles makes life worth living
Hope I never see the day, I kiss them all good bye
I hope I never have to say goodbye to them
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID ALLAN COE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Greg Evans
I've been searching for this song for 36 years. I finally found it.
Steve Rowloff
Another classy classic Coe song. I love it.
Andy91
The album was gold.
virgil hodges
Never heard easy rider before ,love it reminds me of me.
Steve Rowloff
One of my favorites. I'm one of the easy riders.
I thought "Welcome To The Machine" was about cars, bikes and trucks. Never cared for Pink Floyd when I found out it was just another pinko song.
Erica Hidvegi
This was one of step-pops favorite tunes, so now as he passed on 7-26-12 (Ron Cesek, sync_ron_icity) this is very hard to hear without crying; however I have to say thanks to chestnutmtnhillbilly . . . sharing the lights (step-pops & birth-pops--both passed within 6 weeks of each other) erica~ the enlightenment advisor
Jacob Fox
Every time I hear this I think of you ernesto. Love you man. Time to rest easy rider
Steve Rowloff
This is another favorite DAC song.
Tim Burgess
And please remember Gary Pell and Shifter .both gone but never forgotten. Wv
alwayscrazy1
Horses. Trucks. Motorcycles. .... add guitar. Yep. 'Nuff said! ;) lol