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."
The Best Game in Town
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was just warming up to this long-legged girl,
With intentions to please.
(Karen Brooks:)
My blood started rushin',
As he laid his hand on my knee.
By the look in her eyes,
I thought she'd be easy.
As she smiled and told me her name,
Then she said,
(Brooks:)
I've been here before,
And I know the rules to this game.
I've tried to be cunning.
(Coe:)
I've tried to act naturally mean.
(Brooks:)
You gotta take what fate deals you.
(Coe:)
Maybe this time she's dealt me a queen.
(Both:)
And if you play your cards right,
You'll be with me tonight.
And in the morning you'll still be there.
Play 'em wrong and you'll be sitting,
Across from a cold, empty chair.
(Brooks:)
I sure hope you've got what I need,
So I don't have to look anymore.
(Coe:)
I ain't no king, girl.
(Brooks:)
Well, I've held some jokers before!
(Both:)
As long as we are able,
To lay our cards on the table,
There's no need to shuffle around.
We know how we feel, let's go on and deal.
This looks like the best game in town.
We know how we feel, let's go on and deal.
This looks like the best game in town.
(The following lines appear on the liner notes as an intro to this song, but
are not recorded on the track from the double album:)
You cut my heart like the cards on the table.
You know the game, do you know the rules?
I'd let you win if I were able.
But how can you win when it's love you'll lose.
The song "The Best Game in Town" by David Allan Coe is a story of two people who meet at a table in a bar where they play a game with each other. Coe is the man who is warming up to a long-legged girl with intentions to please. Karen Brooks is the girl who has been in this situation before and who knows all the game's rules. She uses her experience to tell Coe that he must play his cards right to be with her that night. If he plays them wrong, she will be gone, and he will be sitting across from a cold, empty chair. The song speaks to the theme of taking risks in life and love, making a big gamble and hoping for the best.
Line by Line Meaning
I was just warming up to this long-legged girl, With intentions to please.
The singer was interested in pursuing a relationship with a woman, and intended to do whatever was necessary to make a good impression on her.
My blood started rushin', As he laid his hand on my knee.
The woman became excited as the man she was interested in showed physical affection towards her.
By the look in her eyes, I thought she'd be easy. As she smiled and told me her name, Then she said,
The man assumed that the woman was looking for an easy physical encounter, but she quickly corrected him and set the terms of their interaction.
I've been here before, And I know the rules to this game. I've tried to be cunning.
The woman has been in similar situations before and knows how to navigate them, and has tried to be clever in the past to get what she wants.
I've tried to act naturally mean.
The artist has attempted to portray a tougher exterior in order to protect herself from being hurt or taken advantage of.
You gotta take what fate deals you.
One must accept the hand that they are dealt in life and work with it, rather than resisting or fighting it.
Maybe this time she's dealt me a queen.
The singer is hopeful that this time, they will find success and happiness in a relationship, and has found someone they believe is high-quality or valuable.
And if you play your cards right, You'll be with me tonight. And in the morning you'll still be there.
If the other person behaves appropriately in this interaction, they will be allowed to spend the night with the artist and enjoy a continued relationship afterwards.
Play 'em wrong and you'll be sitting, Across from a cold, empty chair.
If the other person behaves improperly or disrespects the artist, they will be left alone with nothing to show for their efforts.
I sure hope you've got what I need, So I don't have to look anymore.
The artist is tired of searching for romance and is hopeful that the current interaction will provide them with what they need, so they don't have to continue seeking other options.
I ain't no king, girl.
The singer is not arrogant or controlling, and wishes to work with the woman collaboratively instead of being in charge.
Well, I've held some jokers before!
The woman has experienced negative relationships in the past and is letting the artist know that they must treat her with respect and dignity, or risk repeating the mistakes of others.
As long as we are able, To lay our cards on the table, There's no need to shuffle around.
If both parties can be open and honest with each other about their intentions and feelings, there is no reason to be evasive or manipulative.
We know how we feel, let's go on and deal. This looks like the best game in town.
Both speakers feel that they have found an enjoyable and meaningful connection with each other, and are ready to pursue it together.
You cut my heart like the cards on the table. You know the game, do you know the rules? I'd let you win if I were able. But how can you win when it's love you'll lose.
These lines are an introduction to the song and do not appear in the recorded track.
Contributed by Asher M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dr. Craphead
on Damn I Wish I Was a Nigger
The song is not by David Allan Coe
Niggerhatingme
on Nigger Hatin Me
I like sugar and I like tea
But I don't like niggers, no sir-e
There are two lone things that'll make me puke
That's a hog eating slop and a big black spook
You know it, 'cuz I show it
Like a barnyard rooster I crow it
And the NAACP would sure like to get
A hold of nigger hatin' me.
Roses are red and violets are blue
Niggers are black and you know that's true
But they don't mind 'cuz what the heck
You gotta' be black to get a welfare check.
.And I'm broke, no joke. I ain't got a nickle
For a coat and I ain't black you see, so Uncle
Sam won't help poor nigger hatin' me.
Jigga-boo Jigga-boo where are you? I was
Here on the woodpile watching you. Jigga-boo
Jigga-boo come outdoors. No! I'sa scared of the
White man way down south.
You know it, 'cuz I show it. Stick your black
Head out and I blow it and the NAACP can't keep
You away from 'lil 'ol nigger hatin' me.
Mirror mirror on the wall who is the blackest
Of them all? A man named King it ain't no doubt
And he's causin' lots of trouble with his baboon
Mouth. Oh no it's he's a done it, caused by the
Trouble he's a brewin' and the NAACP can't win if
The white man stick with nigger hatin' me.
Hey Mr. President what'd ya say? When are we
Whites gonna have our day? The niggers've had
Theirs for such a long long time. I'm a white
And it's time that I had mine.
You know it, 'cuz I show it. Stick your black head
Out and I blow it and the NAACP can't win if the
White man stick with nigger hatin' me.
Nigger hatin me'
Nigger hatin me'
Nigger hatin me'
Nigger hatin me'
All true, how's the death count in chimpcago? https://heyjackass.com/
Ben - Moderator
on Nigger hatin me
Meaning of this line above has now been corrected
Matt
on Nigger hatin me
Who ever did the meaning lines is funny... woodpile is a real term, and when it says jig aboo come out doors, he imitates a poor sounding guy saying he's afraid of the racist whites from the south cuz if they even show themselves in public, they were a target. This is a bad song about the unspoken truth
cemegonuts
on You piss me off...you fuckin' jerk
This is not David Allen Coe. It is a song written by Gaye Delorme and performed by Garry Lee and Showdown.
Teresa Warnke
on Pick Em, Lick Em, Stick Em
Are there any decent constitutional lawyers in the house?
Mr. Coe has been barred from performing in most public forums.
He is one the last surviving Outlaws of country music. Although, Nigger Fucker has racist theme, Mr. Coe was defended by his life long friend, Charlie Pride, who inspired the song, all of his days. They were close friends until the end.
David Allen COE is elderly and we don't have long to have an opportunity to see him perform. What is more is that he deserves to use his constitutional right to free speech.
Some would like to have this song and many more that feel are offensive removed from existence. I am not a racist and recognize the foulness of the song, but, I am mature enough to turn off music or any other media that I don't like.
Personally, the Brian Adam's song, "Rum to You", makes me sick, as does Reba Macy tyre's, "Fancy" and "Whoever's in New England".
Ms. Macy tires songs if a mother pimping out her daughter and an abandoned housewife faithfully waiting for her man to return from fucking his mistress hurts women. The Brian Adam's song also hurts women. I do not for a minute believe that this music should never be heard again. It does provide opportunity to discuss these things with younger people.
I am going to delete my YouTube music account because they removed DAC for it's content. I did have much respect for YouTube for it's American spirit and patriotism even though the way they pay their talent is nonsensical. One deletion is a demonstration of what will follow. Eventually this could lead to less freedoms for all of us.
Please don't fall into the currant popular victim trend. Turn off music you don't like and get on with your day.
Or stand up to censorship of the arts.
Thank You,
Teresa Warnke
Rodan
on Cum Stains on the Pillow
Dribble it on her nose!
11inthemoney
on Itty Bitty Titty
Young sex is the best
11inthemoney
on Itty Bitty Titty
Shucks it's cool.
Rodan
on Cum Stains on the Pillow
Another AWESOME DAC song that makes me bellylaugh!!!