For the Record: The First 10 Years
David Allan Coe · 1984
68 min · 20 tracks · country music
A dynamic blend of storytelling and honky-tonk rhythms captures the gritty essence of American life through country music's most evocative narratives.
Top tracks — play these first
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You Never Even Called Me by My Name — This track epitomizes Coe's narrative style, blending humor with poignant reflections on love and abandonment, solidifying his connection with listeners.
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Take This Job and Shove It — An anthem for the working class, this song captures the spirit of rebellion against oppressive labor conditions, resonating deeply in American culture.
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Willie, Waylon and Me — This tribute to fellow country legends encapsulates Coe's identity within the outlaw movement, celebrating camaraderie among artists while showcasing his storytelling ability.
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Tennessee Whiskey — Coe’s rendition transforms this classic into a soulful ballad, highlighting his vocal range and emotional depth while cementing its status as a country staple.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This compilation captures key moments in Coe's career but lacks the cohesive flow of a studio album.
What we noticed
- Several tracks include spoken word segments that enhance the narrative quality of the songs, drawing listeners into the stories.
- The compilation spans a decade of Coe's work, highlighting his evolution as an artist while maintaining a consistent country sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- rollicking sing-alongs with friends
- steady flow for road trips
- humorous storytelling with heart
- light-hearted moments of rebellion
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek complex, experimental compositions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This compilation solidified Coe's reputation in country music and highlights his influence.
- Career context
- Released in 1984, For the Record: The First 10 Years is a compilation album that marks David Allan Coe's consolidation as a significant figure in country music following his rise to fame since the early 1970s. At this point, Coe had established himself with hits like 'You Never Even Called Me by My Name' and was capitalizing on his controversial reputation while exploring themes of love, heartbreak, and rebellion.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Waylon Jennings· Johnny Paycheck· Merle Haggard
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 You Never Even Called Me by My Name 5:15
- 2 Please Come to Boston 4:19
- 3 Jody Like a Melody 3:04
- 4 Longhaired Redneck 3:23
- 5 If That Ain’t Country 4:51
- 6 Willie, Waylon and Me 3:13
- 7 Take This Job and Shove It 2:56
- 8 Just to Prove My Love for You 2:25
- 9 Jack Daniel’s, If You Please 3:17
- 10 Would You Lay With Me (in a Field of Stone) 2:50
- 11 Divers Do It Deeper 3:02
- 12 X’s and O’s (Kisses and Hugs) 3:47
- 13 This Bottle (in My Hand) 2:51
- 14 Get a Little Dirt On 3:41
- 15 Stand by Your Man 3:29
- 16 Tennessee Whiskey 3:01
- 17 Now I Lay Me Down to Cheat 3:24
- 18 What Made You Change Your Mind 2:51
- 19 The Ride 3:07
- 20 Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile 3:40
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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