David Allan Coe Albums Ranked

David Allan Coe (born September 6, 1939) is an American singer and songwriter. Coe took up music after spending much of his early life in reform schools and prisons, and first became notable for busking in Nashville. He initially played mostly in the blues style, before transitioning to country music, becoming a major part of the 1970s outlaw country scene. His biggest hits include “You Never Even Called Me by My Name”, “Longhaired Redneck”, “The Ride”, “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile”, and “She Used to Love Me a Lot”. His most popular songs performed by others are the number-one hits “Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)” sung by Tanya Tucker and Johnny Paycheck’s rendition of “Take This Job and Shove It”. The latter inspired the movie of the same name. 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 music circuit. Here are all of David Allan Coe albums ranked.

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10. Nothing Sacred 

“For an album of offensive material the songs are surprisingly good. As people become more sensitive this album is less taboo, I have to turn off whatever music I am listening to anyway as soon as someone appears.”

9. Human Emotions 

“According to the letter included in the liner notes, David recorded the first five songs for the album Human emotions (the first half of this twofer) before his wife left him and the remaining five after she left him. So the first five songs have an optimistic, happy feel to them while the next five show him in a very different mood, ending with the song Suicide. Fortunately, he did not carry out that particular threat.”

8. Compass Point 

“OK this is David Allan Coe so what are you waiting for..! If you do not have this CD in your music collection then you are missing out…! David Allan Coe is one of the greatest country western singers who has ever graced a performing stage. I love his music and this CD has plenty of it.”

7. Underground Album 

“Musicwise a great mix of country and blues tracks, leaning more towards country. Tight and wellplayed. As for the lyrics, oh my, this has nothing on bands in the Swedish “könsrock” category, but for being American the lyrical part did get my to raise my eyebrows. Actually I find these lyrics more funny than anything, but I can imagine some sensitive people will be offended by them. Highly enjoyable in every single way.”

6. Spectrum VII 

“Spectrum VII, shows that David was beginning to get over the departure of his wife. You can tell this by some of the song titles – Rolling with the punches, On my feet again and Fairytale morning among them. Sudden death sounds like a return to the depths of despair, but that particular title is misleading. None of his own songs here are famous, but the album ends with a cover of Please come to Boston, a classic song that has been covered by many American singers. Sadly, the song never became a hit for anybody in Britain, perhaps because of all the American cities mentioned, but I am one Brit who never tires of hearing this song.”

See more: Gerry Rafferty Albums Ranked

5. Invictus (Means) Unconquered 

“If you are an old time country music fan, by all means get this album. It sounds so good. DAC, uses steel guitars and great lyrics, oh and he writes them himself, unlike now, when everyone is trying only to get a hit, you can tell he writes what he knows.”

4. Tattoo 

“The first album of this twofer, Tattoo, opens brightly with Just to prove my love for you and Face to face, a couple of upbeat songs. These are followed by a couple of sad ballads, You’ll always live inside to me (an ode to a former partner) and Play me a sad song. The next track, Daddy was a God-fearing man, is an upbeat tribute to his father.”

3. Longhaired Redneck 

“A pretty much perfect half hour of country music, brimming with personality, nostalgia (see ‘Texas Lullaby’ and ‘Family Reunion’) and humour (‘Dakota the Dancing Bear, Part II’). There’s some great songwriting on display, especially the title track and ‘Spotlight’.”

2. The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy 

“Sure the name David Allan Coe might take you back to that cheap cd rack at the truck stop, but this his first major label album is pretty damn good. “A Sad Country Song” is a great jukebox pick while his version of Guy Clark’s “Desperados Waiting for the Train” is almost as good as the original. A couple of duds but this is the best straight country album I’ve enjoyed in awhile.”

1. Once Upon A Rhyme 

“This one’s a great album, basically every song is worthwhile; it also has what I may call a broader appeal than most country albums, and in what regards original album it is the best one to witness the genius of what is probably the greatest country songwriter ever.”