Who Sings This Song “You Don’t Have To Call Me Darlin Darlin”?

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The song “You Never Even Called Me By My Name,” which includes the lyrics “you don't have to call me darlin, darlin,” is sung by David Allan Coe. The song was written by Steve Goodman and John Prine and was first recorded by Coe on his 1975 album “Once Upon a Rhyme”. This song became Coe's first Top Ten hit, reaching a peak of number eight on the Billboard country singles charts.

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“You Never Even Called Me By My Name” by David Allan Coe.

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“You don't have to call me darlin', darlin'” – this distinctive lyric opens one of the most iconic songs in country music history. But who is the mastermind behind this tongue-in-cheek classic? That would be the one and only David Allan Coe.

Released in 1975, “You Never Even Called Me by My Name” cemented Coe's reputation as an outlaw country legend and pioneering songwriter. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the story behind “You Don't Have to Call Me Darlin',” analyze the lyrics, and examine why this song remains so influential nearly 50 years later.

Table of Contents

  • The Story Behind “You Don't Have to Call Me Darlin'”
  • David Allan Coe's Biography
  • Analysis of the Lyrics
  • Impact and Legacy of the Song
  • Covers and Influences
  • Coe's Other Notable Songs
  • Conclusion

The Story Behind “You Don't Have to Call Me Darlin'”

Coe wrote “You Never Even Called Me by My Name” in an effort to poke fun at established country tropes. As the story goes, he was out drinking at a bar with fellow singer-songwriter Steve Goodman. Goodman bet Coe that he couldn't write a song containing all the major country music cliches. Coe accepted the challenge and the result was this sarcastic, witty track.

Some of the references include sentiments like his woman leaving him for a trucker, getting drunk, and prison time. While mocking the conventions of popular country, Coe also manages to craft an instantly catchy song. The chorus, “you never even called me by my name,” is an especially clever play on country titles with a personal angle.

David Allan Coe's Biography

Coe established himself as an eccentric, radical voice in country music. He grew up in Akron, Ohio in a troubled home before serving time in reform schools and prisons, where he began writing songs. After his release, Coe honed his musical skills and started releasing albums in the late 1960s.

With his gritty vocals and blend of rock and blues, Coe became a leader in the growing outlaw country scene. His biggest hits like “Longhaired Redneck” and “Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)” reveled in taboo topics and thumbing his nose at conservative country establishment.

Coe was known for ruffling feathers and stirring controversy with everything from his lyrics to his concerts where he sometimes took the stage in nothing but jeans. But he garnered a devoted fan following drawn to his brazen, independent mindset.

Analysis of the Lyrics

Let's take a closer look at some of the key lyrics that reference classic country themes:

“Well, I was drunk the day my mom got out of prison” – Trouble with the law

“And I went to see her and the tears well up in my eyes” – Reconnecting with family

“Well, I'm not big on social graces, think I'll slip on down to the oasis” – Honky tonk bars/drinking culture

“Oh, I've got to run, I've got a friend in New York City” – Leaving small rural towns for the big city

“Well, I was rambling and a gamblin' and a drinkin' and a sinkin' down in sin” – Vices of drinking and gambling

“And I never had a girl I could call my own” – Hard romantic luck

“Well, I'm not from Nashville, and I don't play no guitar” – Nashville music industry

By calling out these familiar country themes and putting a satirical spin on them, Coe crafted a tongue-in-cheek critique of the genre's tendency to follow conventions and fall into cliches. The song demonstrates his songwriting talents through clever wordplay and self-awareness.

Impact and Legacy of the Song

“You Never Even Called Me by My Name” was the title track of Coe's 1975 album of the same name. It peaked at #8 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, becoming Coe's highest charting single. The album also reached #29 on the Billboard 200 pop albums chart.

In 1987, Coe's recording earned him the Songwriter of the Year award from the Nashville Songwriters Association International. The song is also included in the Grammy Hall of Fame and received praise from Bob Dylan as one of the greatest country songs ever written.

To this day, “You Don't Have to Call Me Darlin'” is considered a signature song for Coe and an all-time country classic. It remains popular on classic country radio and playlists. The song's clever concept, humorous lyrics, and catchy chorus make it one of the most memorable tunes of the 1970s outlaw country movement.

Covers and Influences

“You Don't Have to Call Me Darlin'” has been widely covered by artists across the country spectrum:

  • Waylon Jennings recorded the song for his 1977 album Ol' Waylon
  • Brad Paisley includes it as a bonus track on some editions of his album Wheelhouse
  • Johnny Cash, Tanya Tucker, and Jessi Colter have also released covers
  • Pop/rock singer Boz Scaggs recorded a version on his Nashville album

The song's influence can be heard in numerous country tunes that play with conventions and incorporate satirical or meta elements. Artists like Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, and Eric Church have cited Coe as an inspiration for their own trailblazing country styles.

Coe's Other Notable Songs

While “You Don't Have to Call Me Darlin'” remains Coe's best known song, he had other acclaimed hits in his lengthy career, including:

  • “Longhaired Redneck” – Peaked at #17 in 1976, a gritty southern rock tune
  • “Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)” – #46 hit in 1974, controversial for its suggestive lyrics
  • “Take This Job and Shove It” – Major hit for Johnny Paycheck, co-written by Coe
  • “Divers Do It Deeper” – Fan favorite with provocative diving metaphors
  • “Jack Daniels, If You Please” – Ode to whiskey released on his 1978 album Family Album

Even in his later years, Coe has continued putting out albums and performing live shows, where he often plays his most beloved songs like “You Don't Have to Call Me Darlin'.”

Conclusion

More than four decades after its release, the legacy of David Allan Coe's novelty song lives on. “You Never Even Called Me by My Name” remains an acclaimed classic thanks to its clever concept, sarcasm aimed at country cliches, and singable chorus. Coe successfully parodied established Nashville conventions while creating an unforgettable tune.

This amusing song exemplifies Coe's outsider outlook that made him a leader in outlaw country. As perhaps the quintessential example of his witty, subversive approach to songwriting, “You Don't Have to Call Me Darlin'” secures his place in country music history. For both country fans and general music lovers, this song is worth revisiting in order to fully appreciate Coe's humorous critique of music industry formulas.

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