David Allan Coe Songs 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 songs ranked.

Don’t miss out on the music of David Allan Coe below! Click to find out why he is one of the most recognizable voices!

10. Please Come to Boston (For the Record: The First 10 Years, 1984)

“A David Allan Coe classic. Listening to it brings me to happier times and places. David Allan Coe has stayed true to his music. What a great song and by the great David Allan Coe. No downside to be found here.”

9. Cocaine Carolina (Just Divorced / Darlin’ Darlin’ Plus, 2005)

“They did it together. It might sound different because on the John R Cash album the vocals and backing music were laid down at different times in the studio.”

8. Longhaired Redneck (Longhaired Redneck, 1976)

“I have always loved Coe’s style, voice quality and artistic knack. He absolutely glorified the notion of being- and the concept defining- a redneck. To me, it was much more romantic, enviable and even dignified than his cheap tired imitators have managed since the peak of his prime some years ago.”

See more: David Allan Coe Albums Ranked

7. Tennessee Whiskey (Tennessee Whiskey, 1981)

“I love every version of this song. The different arrangements and how its produced just fascinates me. All three versions have a different drum sound, guitar intro’s, singers voice timbre, harmony, Bass line and interpretation of the song.”

6. Jack Daniel’s, If You Please (Human Emotions, 1978)

“In the 70s and early 80s, David released some of the best country music ever. He kicked Nashville too hard, so he’s written out of history. But fuck Nashville anyhow! David’s songwriting and vocal talent can’t be denied by any country music lover with a set of functional ears.”

5. Take This Job and Shove It Too (Family Album, 1978)

“Although David has had plenty of problems through the years, it appears that he was content with life when he recorded these albums. There are fewer of the darker songs that you’ll find plenty of on his other albums, although even here sadness is never far away.”

See more: The Doors Albums Ranked

4. The Ride (Castles in the Sand, 1983)

“Masterpieces such as this, from many genres of hard played and well meant music, will go down in history as the works of art that they are. Our esteemed artists may surely fade from the stage, passing from old age. But their music will never die.”

3. Willie, Waylon and Me (Rides Again, 1977)

“There is so much history wrapped up in this one song. Basically taking the major influences in the music industry at the time. Sadly most probably don’t really understand the reference to the flying burrito brothers. Truly a great song paying respect to the music scene back in the late 60 to early 70s.”

2. If That Ain’t Country (Rides Again, 1977)

“This song really touches me. Tell you about the struggles of the hardworking southern population and the resilience of them. This song is brutally honest.  It shows that everybody, no matter how rich or poor, has their perfections and their flaws and how we live with them both.”

1. You Never Even Called Me By My Name (Once Upon a Rhyme, 1975)

“This is blue collar music, millions of houses have been framed with this song playing, millions of miles of have been driven by truck drivers with this song playing, millions of damaged utility lines have been repaired while this song was playing. This is a song of people who do important shit, that is gone forgotten.”