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."
Would You Be My Lady
David Allan Coe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Could I come to you whenever I'm in need
Would you always have a place for me to lay my body down
Would you be my lady in the morning would you be my lady
Would you walk with me across the bridges I forgot to burn
Could you face the future lookin' at my past
If I took the time to teach you all the things you need to learn
Be my lady in the evening would you be my lady
Does it matter to you that you're not my first love
Would you let a thing like that stand in your way
If I said you was the woman that could ease my troubled mind
Would you be my lady when I need you would you be my lady
Would you walk with me across the bridges I forgot to burn
Could you face the future lookin' at my past
If I took the time to teach you all the things you need to learn
Would you always have a place for me to lay my body down
David Allan Coe's song "Would You Be My Lady" is a love song that expresses the artist's feelings and desires for a woman who he hopes will be his lady. Through the lyrics, Coe poses important questions to the potential lover, asking if she will hold his hand when he's lonely, be there when he's in need, and always have a place for him to lay his body down. He also asks if she would walk with him across the bridges he forgot to burn and face the future while looking at his past. Coe wonders if she will let the fact that she's not his first love stand in the way of their relationship and if she will be the woman who can ease his troubled mind. The song ends with Coe asking if she will be his lady in both the morning and evening when he needs her.
One interpretation of the song could be that Coe is asking the woman for unconditional love and acceptance despite his flaws and mistakes in the past. He wants to build a relationship with her where they can walk together towards the future without letting their pasts affect their present or future. The song conveys a sense of vulnerability and a longing for human connection, which is further emphasized by Coe's soulful singing style.
Line by Line Meaning
Would you hold onto my hand when I get lonely
Are you willing to offer your support when I am in despair?
Could I come to you whenever I'm in need
Will you be my refuge in times of distress?
Would you always have a place for me to lay my body down
Can I count on having a home with you?
Would you be my lady in the morning would you be my lady
Can I rely on your love and companionship throughout the day?
Would you walk with me across the bridges I forgot to burn
Will you take a journey with me towards healing and progress?
Could you face the future lookin' at my past
Are you willing to accept my baggage and move forward with me?
If I took the time to teach you all the things you need to learn
Would you be receptive to learning and growing with me?
Be my lady in the evening would you be my lady
Can I count on your love and comfort as the day comes to an end?
Does it matter to you that you're not my first love
Is my past a concern for you?
Would you let a thing like that stand in your way
Will you overlook my past and focus on our relationship?
If I said you was the woman that could ease my troubled mind
Would you be my source of peace and tranquility?
Would you be my lady when I need you would you be my lady
Can I count on you to be my partner through thick and thin?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID ALLAN COE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidghost2913
One of the greatest singer and songwriter in country music, regardless of what life handed him period.💥✨Thank you D.A.C.😅
@droneygirl
My step dad proposed to my mom with this song in 1996. They were together total 26 years. He left this earth in June and mom followed behind him a month ago. God blessed me with the best parents. I love to hear this and think of how they loved one another.
RIP MAMA AND RCB 😢
@richlovn539
Our hearts are with yours.
@jaybrown4857
How he's not mentioned as one of the country's best I will never know.
@LiLoTech
He is by all the folks I run with.
@treshampton9822
It’s because he had a couple joke songs that people are too soft now to take the time to enjoy. I love David so much
@matthewboren6438
One of the most beautiful, yet sadly underrated songs ever written. I'm a lucky man to have such a beautiful lady in my life
@lynne7585
As I mentioned, "it's a sadly underrated song" I'm glad you "have that beautiful lady in your life." Many many people never find that. I am blessed & so appreciative of the man I have loved most of my life.
@fortyninemore
Indeed
@monicacard6999
This was my husband's and my song. Lost him six years ago. I don't believe there's any other song that better described us.