"Keep America Beautiful, Put Sunscreen On Your Neck!"
234. David Allan Coe "Longhaired Redneck"
The traditional history of the 1960's positions reactionary cowboy and hardhat types against progressive longhaired hippies. By the time the 1970's rolled around the resulting cultural upheaval had left everybody completely confused. In walks David Allan Coe, the ex-con songwriter who put the 'outlaw' in Outlaw Country.
Over a classically spare honky-tonk backing, Coe gives a hilarious veiw of the landscape (the description of the bar alone is worth the price of admission) and sings it in a perfect country baritone. This number is one of the best examples of taking a problematic identity and embracing at as a point of pride. Like all good anthems, it invites you into the action. This number makes me want to let my long hair fly and beat up hippies. or put on a cowboy hat and piss off rednecks. or something.
The traditional history of the 1960's positions reactionary cowboy and hardhat types against progressive longhaired hippies. By the time the 1970's rolled around the resulting cultural upheaval had left everybody completely confused. In walks David Allan Coe, the ex-con songwriter who put the 'outlaw' in Outlaw Country.
Over a classically spare honky-tonk backing, Coe gives a hilarious veiw of the landscape (the description of the bar alone is worth the price of admission) and sings it in a perfect country baritone. This number is one of the best examples of taking a problematic identity and embracing at as a point of pride. Like all good anthems, it invites you into the action. This number makes me want to let my long hair fly and beat up hippies. or put on a cowboy hat and piss off rednecks. or something.
