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David Allan Coe

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 68.43.86.92 (talk) at 01:51, 15 September 2007 (→Controversy). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"If That Ain't Country" redirects here. For the album of the same name by Anthony Smith, see If That Ain't Country (album).

David Allan Coe (born September 6, 1939 in Akron, Ohio) often abbreviated as DAC, is an American country music singer who achieved his greatest popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. He has written and performed over 280 original songs throughout his long career. As a songwriter, his best-known compositions are "Would You Lay with Me (in a Field of Stone)," originally recorded by Tanya Tucker, and "Take this Job and Shove It." The latter was a #1 hit for Johnny Paycheck, and was later turned into a hit movie (both Coe and Paycheck had minor parts in the film.)

Coe was once a member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club[1].

Style

Coe's songs are known for strong rock arrangements, occasionally with a Caribbean touch ("Divers Do It Deeper"), a tough band with tough guitar solos ("Longhaired Redneck"), personal lyrics ("Willie, Waylon, and Me"), verbal facility ("X's and O's"), and a somewhat warped sense of humor. In addition to humorous songs like "You Never Even Call Me By My Name," he also includes references to himself in his songs to self-promote himself through his music. He references big stars of country music in his lyrics in a way that makes himself their equal, such as in "Willie, Waylon, and Me," and the line "Johnny Cash helped me get out of prison" in "Longhaired Redneck."

His long career has included twenty-six LPs, with 1987's Matter of Life... and Death being one of the most successful and critically acclaimed. He even put out a concept album, Compass Point, that threads his autobiography (or that of his persona) through an encounter with the famous Caribbean studio for which it was named and where it was recorded.

The video for Tim McGraw's "Real Good Man" features a live performance of his song, coupled with "The Ride," a song recorded by David Allan Coe describing an encounter with the ghost of Hank Williams.

Controversy

Coe recorded two songs in the 1980s containing racist and misogynistic lyrics of extreme vulgarity, including one titled "Nigger Fucker." For this reason, the earlier racist songs by the country musician known as Johnny Rebel have been attributed to Coe. [2][3] Coe has stated on his official website that these are not his works and refuses to acknowledge or play them in concert.

Coe spent significant time in Ohio State Prison (7 years according to him) before moving to Nashville.

  • His song, "Jack Daniels, If You Please," is playing in the background during the scene where Ponyboy and Johnny go to Dallas for help in the film version of The Outsiders.

"It's soakin' wet in the middle of the afternoon

A little honky tonk

Heavy pettin' and rye

Playin' David Allen Coe

Well, please come to Boston too"

  • His song, "Don't Bite the Dick," is playing in the background on the first episode of the television show, Weeds, in the bar where Celia confronts the Asian tennis professional with whom her husband is having an affair.
  • He is referred to in Johnny Cash's "A Backstage Pass"
  • The American rock band Marah has a song about him called "David Allen Coe"
  • His song "You Never Even Call Me By My Name" (also known as "You Don't Have To Call Me Darlin', Darlin'") is widely considered to be among the most covered bar songs played by bar bands.

Selected discography

Solo

  • Nigger Fucker
  • Penitentiary Blues
  • Requiem for a Harlequin
  • Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy
  • Once Upon a Rhyme
  • Longhaired Redneck
  • Texas Moon
  • Rides Again
  • Greatest Hits
  • Tattoo
  • Family Album
  • Human Emotions
  • Spectrum VII
  • Compass Point
  • Nothing Sacred
  • I've Got Something to Say
  • Invictus Means Unconquered
  • Tennessee Whiskey
  • Buckstone County Prison
  • Rough Rider
  • D.A.C.
  • Underground Album
  • Biggest Hits
  • Castles in the Sand
  • Hello in There
  • David Allan Coe or Else
  • Original Outlaw
  • The Best of David Allan Coe
  • Just Divorced
  • Why Me
  • The First Ten Years
  • Darlin Darlin
  • Unchained
  • I Love Country
  • Son of the South
  • Matter of Life and Death
  • 17 Greatest Hits
  • Crazy Daddy
  • Hits Of David Allan Coe
  • 18 X-Rated Hits
  • Headed For The Country
  • 1990 Songs for Sale
  • Standing Too Close to the Flame
  • Super Hits
  • Granny's off Her Rocker
  • Living on the Edge
  • If That Ain't Country (live)
  • Recommended for Airplay
  • Songwriter of the Tear
  • Live at the Iron Horse Saloon
  • Live at Billy Bob's Texas
  • For the Soul and for the Mind
  • 16 Biggest Hits
  • All I'll Ever Be (only available on his official website)
  • Rebel Meets Rebel

Notes

  1. ^ David Allan Coe: Bike Week's pied piper Jim Witters, Daytona Beach News-Journal Online, retrieved 12 September 2007
  2. ^ http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/article.asp?xid=360
  3. ^ http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/davidallancoe/articles/story/7488543/coe_revisits_penitentiary

Reference

  • Tucker, Stephen R. (1998). "David Allan Coe". In The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 102.


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