About the song
David Allan Coe, a name synonymous with outlaw country music, released a string of iconic songs during his storied career. Among these timeless classics is “Long Haired Redneck,” a track that continues to resonate with audiences today. Released in 1974, the song captured the spirit of the era and became a defining anthem for those who felt marginalized and misunderstood.
“Long Haired Redneck” is a poignant reflection on the struggles faced by working-class Americans in the 1970s. Coe’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who is out of place in a society that values conformity and materialism. The song’s protagonist, a long-haired redneck, is a symbol of rebellion and individualism, a figure who refuses to conform to societal expectations.
The song’s opening lines, “I’m a long-haired redneck, a son of a gun,” immediately set the tone for the rest of the track. Coe’s gravelly voice, filled with both defiance and vulnerability, perfectly captures the character’s rebellious spirit. The lyrics explore themes of alienation, frustration, and a yearning for a simpler time. The song’s chorus, “I’m a long-haired redneck, and I’m proud of it,” is a powerful statement of defiance, a declaration of independence in the face of adversity.
The song’s musical arrangement is equally compelling. The driving rhythm and soulful guitar riffs create a sense of urgency and restlessness. Coe’s performance is raw and emotive, conveying the character’s deep-seated pain and anger. The song’s bridge, a poignant reflection on the loss of innocence, further adds to its emotional impact.
“Long Haired Redneck” is more than just a song; it is a cultural touchstone that has stood the test of time. Its timeless message of rebellion, individuality, and the struggle for acceptance continues to resonate with audiences today. David Allan Coe’s powerful performance and the song’s evocative lyrics have made it a classic of country music. As we listen to the song today, we can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for its enduring power.
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Lyrics
Country deejays knows that I’m an outlaw
They’d never come to see me in this dive
Where bikers stare at cowboys who are laughing at the hippies
Who are praying they’ll get outta here alive
The loud mouth in the corner’s gettin’ to me
Talking ’bout my earrings and my hair
I guess he ain’t read the signs that say I been to prison
Someone ought to warn him ‘fore I knock him off his chair
‘Cause my long hair just can’t cover up my red neck
I’ve won every fight, I’ve ever fought
Hey, I don’t need some turkey telling me that I ain’t country
And sayin’ I ain’t worth the damned ol’ ticket that he bought
‘Cause I can sing all them songs about Texas
And I still do all the sad ones that I know
They tell me, I look like Merle Haggard
And sound a lot like David Allen Coe
And the bar maid in the last town that we played in
Knew the words to every song I’d wrote
She said, Jimmy Rabbit turned her on to my last album
Just about the time the jukebox broke
Yeah, Johny Cash helped me get out of prison
Long before Rodriguez stole that goat
I’ve been the Rhinestone Cowboy for so long, I can’t remember
And I can do you every song, Hank Williams ever wrote
And I can sing all them songs about Texas
And I still do all the sad ones that I know
I can’t help it, I look like Merle Haggard
And I sound a lot like David Allen Coe
But the country deejays, all think I’m an outlaw
And they’d never come to see me in this dive
Where bikers stare at cowboys who are laughing at the hippies
Who are praying they’ll get out of here alive
The loud mouth in the corner’s gettin’ to me
Talking ’bout my earrings and my hair