Rough Rider
David Allan Coe · 1982
32 min · 10 tracks · country music
A gritty blend of traditional country storytelling with a rebellious spirit, laced with Coe's signature raspy vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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Pouring Water on a Drowning Man — This opener sets the tone with its sly humor and clever wordplay about unrequited love, showcasing Coe's knack for storytelling.
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Now I Lay Me Down to Cheat — The track cleverly subverts traditional themes of faithfulness and morality in relationships, presenting a raw yet humorous take on infidelity.
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Rough Rider — The title track embodies Coe’s rebellious spirit and vivid narrative style, encapsulating the essence of his outlaw persona.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and performance but lacks the depth for lasting impact.
What we noticed
- Coe's raspy vocals are prominent throughout, often accompanied by traditional country instrumentation like steel guitar and fiddle.
- Several tracks feature a call-and-response structure between Coe's vocals and backing harmonies, enhancing the communal feel of the music.
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- steady mid-tempo storytelling
- gritty honky-tonk nostalgia
- for casual gatherings
- easygoing background for road trips
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of quick hits
- prefer experimental soundscapes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1982, Rough Rider was David Allan Coe's follow-up to his commercially successful album, Longhaired Redneck. At this point in his career, Coe was solidifying his reputation as a controversial figure in country music, known for blending outlaw themes with personal narratives. This album came during a time when Coe was becoming increasingly recognized for his songwriting and provocative public persona.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Waylon Jennings· Johnny Paycheck· Merle Haggard
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Pouring Water on a Drowning Man 3:20
- 2 What Made You Change Your Mind 2:47
- 3 Ice Cold Love 3:22
- 4 Now I Lay Me Down to Cheat 3:22
- 5 Rough Rider 3:51
- 6 Take Time to Know Her 3:28
- 7 Time After Time 2:16
- 8 Forever and Never 3:44
- 9 Headed for the Country 3:01
- 10 Meanwhile Back in Memphis 3:20
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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