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 [β¦] 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 β and even Cash."
Truck Driving Man
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little place called Hamburger Dan's
I put some money in the jukebox,
And played that truck drivin' man
Pour me another cup of coffee,
For it is the best in the land
I put my money in the jukebox,
The waitress she pour me some coffee
I thanked her but called her again
I said, "That ol' song sure does fit me
'Cause I am a truck drivin' man"
Pour me another cup of coffee,
For it is the best in the land
I put my money in the jukebox,
And play That Truck Drivin' Man
I climbed back a board my old semi
And just like a flash I was gone
I got them big wheels a-rollin
I'm on my way to San Antone
Pour me another cup of coffee,
For it is the best in the land
I put my money in the jukebox,
And play That Truck Drivin' Man
The song Truck Driving Man by David Allan Coe is about a truck driver who stops at a roadhouse in Texas called Hamburger Dan's. He plays the song Truck Driving Man on the jukebox and requests another cup of coffee. The waitress serves him and he thanks her, calling her again for another cup of coffee. He relates to the song because he is a truck driver himself, climbing back aboard his old semi and heading towards San Antone.
What is interesting about this song is that it is considered an anthem among truck drivers. The lyrics describe the struggles of a truck driver's life on the road, and it has resonated with those in the trucking community. Additionally, the song has been covered by several artists, including Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. Truck Driving Man was written by Terry Fell, who was also a truck driver, and David Allan Coe included it on his album The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy in 1974.
Another interesting fact is that Coe has often been regarded as an outlaw country singer, and many of his songs have controversial lyrics. In fact, some of his songs were banned from radio stations due to their explicit content. However, Truck Driving Man is a more subdued song that focuses on the life of a truck driver. Coe himself has stated that he has a great deal of respect for truck drivers, and the song reflects that respect.
Overall, Truck Driving Man is a classic country song that has stood the test of time. It has become an anthem for truck drivers and continues to be a popular song decades after its initial release.
Chords:
Verse: G C G D G
Chorus: G C G D G
Line by Line Meaning
I stopped at a roadhouse in Texas,
I made a pit stop at a small bar called Hamburger Dan's during my travels through Texas.
A little place called Hamburger Dan's
The establishment I visited was a small bar named after its proprietor, Hamburger Dan.
I put some money in the jukebox,
I inserted some currency into the coin-operated music player.
And played that truck drivin' man
I selected and listened to the track called 'Truck Drivin' Man' by David Allan Coe on the jukebox.
Pour me another cup of coffee,
Please fill up my coffee cup with more of the beverage.
For it is the best in the land
I really enjoy the taste of this coffee and believe it's one of the best available.
The waitress she pour me some coffee
The female employee who serves beverages brought me another cup of coffee.
I thanked her but called her again
After expressing gratitude for her service, I asked the waitress for another cup of coffee.
I said, 'That ol' song sure does fit me
I remarked to someone that the song I just played on the jukebox describes my life and experiences well.
'Cause I am a truck drivin' man'
My profession is a driver of large commercial vehicles known as trucks.
I climbed back a board my old semi
I ascended into the cab of my older model semi-trailer truck.
And just like a flash I was gone
I departed from the roadside bar rather quickly and suddenly.
I got them big wheels a-rollin
I set the wheels of my truck in motion and began my journey once again.
I'm on my way to San Antone
I am en route to the city of San Antonio, Texas.
Contributed by Charlie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@woopimerrin78
This is a great song to listen when I'm on the road.
@rosanabeninati7432
Wow! Amazing! Awesome!πππππππππππππππ
@douglashagan65
I didn't know this version was out there this is pretty good I thought buck
@ExtremelyApples1235
Y'all ever heard of David Allen coe?!
@MajorEasley
LoL wow.
@jahslade3901
Nancy Nyman, Why don't you write one? that's what the world is waiting for, a fuckin' chick's truckin' song....
@nancynyman6446
Apparently there are no women truckers....
@MattieA65
There are "Lot Lizards," though.
@preacherboy238
Matt Angelucci what do you call a lot lizzard with a matress tied to her back?
@preacherboy238
An owner operator