Once Upon a Rhyme

We used to make music in this country.

Very nice choice 5

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Jody like a melody, Sweet vibrations

Hell yeah

My dad was a big fan of David Allan Coe and when I was around him would occasionally hear one of his songs. But unlike some of his other favorites like Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson, I never delved into David Allan Coe’s catalog. Coe does some pretty great things on this album. Classic 70s country sound with some really interesting songwork. The second track “Jody Like A Melody” has a really interesting ending that transitions into “Loneliness in Ruby’s Eyes” - really got my attention. The finale “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” is the song I definitely remember - as I kid I really loved the added verse about mama getting runned over by a damned ol’ train. How great to hear that again! I’ll add that I’m a sucker for classic country backup harmonies and they are exquisite on this album. Glad to find myself at a place in life where I can really appreciate this. I’m already digging into the catalog to find some more David Allan Coe to listen to. Thanks for this suggestion, you’ve opened a door for me that I should have a long time ago.

This was a gem. I hadn't even heard of David Allan Coe, but this is another example of some of the many amazing country artists that weren't recognized in this project. Now, I'd have run at top speed from this as a youth, but I have grown to appreciate these voices and steel guitars.

Some of the best background vocals ever by the Nashville Edition. Just pure sonic comfort. This should have been in the book. 4.5/5. Rounding down only because there are some 4 star albums I like more than this but it’s a solid album.

Classic 70's country music

This is the kind of mainstream country that I don't particularly enjoy. The songs and lyrics are ok, but never very interesting. It's a collection of sentimental songs that sound outdated and predictable in every way. It's background music in this genre.

Goddamn that’s some cheesy country music. This stuff all sounds so same-ish, artist to artist, album to album, song to song.

Even before it goes full meta before the final verse of the final song, this is leaning just a little too hard on its self-aware clichés for my tastes, starting with that absolute clunker of a title. It's good old country obviously and I'm not against it. But I detect more than a little cynicism peeking out of that sleeve its heart is dangling from.

Things I knew about David Allan Coe: -He wrote "Take This Job and Shove It" Things I know now: -He has other good songs I guess HL: "Would You Lay With Me", "Would You Be My Lady", "Wood and Steel", "You Never Even Called Me By My Name" September 15, 2025 7 outta 10

A classic simple country album from Coe. It’s nothing glamorous but it’s music for an easy listen. Never knew the guy who wrote Go Cubs Go originally wrote You Never Even Called Me By My Name. Coes version is better even with the facetious last verse of cliches. This is a good edition to the classic country list. 6.8/10

Decent country music

Casual country music

Country, Outlaw country. Ni fu ni fa.

This is the less-annoying end of country, so that's nice. But it's still country. 3/5.

Not offesnsive

Not the most revolutionary LP in the world, but there’s just something about hearing an older guy with a twangy voice sing about how much he loves his guitar.

Veers a bit too far into traditional country for my tastes, but still pretty good. 3 stars.

Country är så oförarglig musik. Sällan dåligt men lika sällan jättebra. Piece of wood and steel är bästa låten.

That’s country alright. Good country.

Could just as easily be from 1875, in a good way

"Once Upon a Rhyme" sounds like a 90s gangsta rap album title. Will grandpa spit? My relationship with County music is so strange, because this felt substantially better than most other Country albums on the list, but I can't tell you anything it does differently. I think my ears just throw a dice to decide whether I enjoy one or not. 3/5.

Country clásico sin muchos miramientos. Voz muy típica del estilo de música. Canciones agradables y con el estilo propio del movimiento. Se deja escuchar. Evocador

Hmm.. it's what I think of when people say country music. My personal rating: 3/5 My rating relative to the list: 3/5 Should this have been included on the original list? No

Sorry heard enough country in the original list.

Yes, that's a country album

It might be classic 70s country. It's also bland cheesy inane mush.

Country music normally gets one star from me but this made me chuckle a couple of times so an extra star for that.

Nope