David Allan Coe, 86

[KeithE4]

The outlaw-country singer passed away today. He had been hospitalized, but cause of death was not released. More details in the attached link to Rolling Stone magazine.

He's best known for the 1975 hit "You Never Even Called Me By My Name," (written by Steve Goodman and an uncredited John Prine), although he wrote for other artists. RIP, David Allan.

David Allan Coe, Singer of the 'Perfect Country and Western Song,' Dead at 86

David Allan Coe, the outlaw country singer known for songs like 'The Ride' and 'You Never Even Called Me by My Name,' has died at age 86.

www.rollingstone.com

 

[TheBigA]

He also wrote Take This Job & Shove It. He definitely was a character.

Outlaw Country Legend David Allan Coe Has Died - Saving Country Music

One of the most brilliant, most controversial, most mercurial, most wild and wildly influential artists, songwriters, and performers in country music history has done something that almost seemed impossible.

savingcountrymusic.com

 

[ted chittenden]

The best part of "You Never Even Called Me by My Name," was the last verse and Mr. Coe's introduction to it. It was a hoot and made fun of the entire country music genre.

In 1977, Mr. Coe also recorded and put out a single (that I think he also wrote) titled "F**k Anita Bryant," criticizing the late 1950s/early 1960s singer for her public stand against homosexual rights. The song went absolutely nowhere, mainly because of the title. I only heard about the song on a report that Brooke Gladstone did on the subject of the perceived conservative bias of country music for WNYC's "On The Media," back in 2018 or 2019.

 

[wadio]

Careful how you use "86." 🤔

 

[PTBoardOp93]

While "You Never Even Called Me" may be memorable, I'd say his best remembered single is "The Ride", where the narrator receives a lift from Alabama to Nashville from a ghostly figure which is implied to be Hank Williams.
Not only did that song receive a lot of airplay, it has several cover versions, including by Hank Williams Jr.

 

[LibertyNT]

While "You Never Even Called Me" may be memorable, I'd say his best remembered single is "The Ride", where the narrator receives a lift from Alabama to Nashville from a ghostly figure which is implied to be Hank Williams.
Not only did that song receive a lot of airplay, it has several cover versions, including by Hank Williams Jr.

"You Never" is still a bar anthem and people still do the call outs. Regionally atleast in my neck of the woods, Take This Job, The Ride, Dakota, Mona Lisa, and Time Off were still common requests when the station I worked for was still Country.