Ko-Ko Joe

Jerry Reed

About Ko-Ko Joe

Ko-Ko Joe is a song written and recorded by American country artist Jerry Reed. It was released in August 1971 as the lead single from the album of the same name, Ko-Ko Joe. The song reached peaks of number 11 on the U. S. country chart and number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the follow-up to his country chart number 1 hit, When You're Hot, You're Hot.


Year:
2003
2:33
58 
#2

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(Ko-ko Joe)
(Ko-ko Joe)
(Ko-ko Joe)

Go ahead home
(Ko-ko Joe)
Up in Appaloosa county
There's a place called Ko-ko Ridge

Sittin' right on the bend
On the Etowah River
Where the water washed away the bridge

Cotton Mouth Country
(Ko-ko Joe)
A river rat's knee high
(Ko-ko Joe)
Way up around the back border
Lived a man
That the river folks talked about

They said you better stay away from Ko-ko Joe
'Cause he's cause he's crazy no account

(Ko-ko Joe)
Ko-ko Joe
They called him the Etowah River swamp rat
The folks despised him

(Ko-ko Joe)
Ko-ko Joe
He was an awfully peculiar man
The river was his only friend

And the folks didn't understand
The man called Ko-ko Joe
(Ko-ko Joe)

He'd eat monkey meat and mashed potatoes
He drunk a brew called Mo-jo Claw
That he beat outa roots from old dead stumps
On the banks of the Etowah

Made him walk a little funny
(Ko-ko Joe)
Made his breath smell funky
(Ko-ko Joe)
Well he never come across the river
'Cause the folks didn't like him in town

They said his hair was long
His clothes were dirty
They didn't want him hangin' around

Ko-ko Joe
They called him the Etowah River swamp rat
The folks despised him

(Ko-ko Joe)
Ko-ko Joe
He was an awfully peculiar man
The river was his only friend

And the folks didn't understand
The man called Ko-ko Joe
(Ko-ko Joe)

Well it happened a year ago Sunday
And they still talk about it today
How the dam broke loose
On the Etowah River
Nearly washin' everybody away

The river water rising
(Ko-ko Joe)
Washin' up all the bushes
(Ko-ko Joe)
Well the headlines said
How a mother said, my son woulda lost his life
But he was pulled from the mud in the Etowah River
By the man y'all despised

(Ko-ko Joe)
Ko-ko Joe
They called him the Etowah River swamp rat
The folks despised him

(Ko-ko Joe)
Ko-ko Joe
So be careful what you say, my friend
About folks you don't understand
Someday you might need a man like Ko-ko Joe

Go ahead home son
(Ko-ko Joe)
Ko-ko Joe
They called him the Etowah River swamp rat
The folks despised him (Ko-ko Joe)

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Jerry Reed

Jerry Reed Hubbard (March 20, 1937 – September 1, 2008), known professionally as Jerry Reed, was an American country music singer, guitarist, and songwriter, as well as an actor who appeared in more than a dozen films. His signature songs included "Guitar Man," "A Thing Called Love," "Alabama Wild Man," "Amos Moses", "When You're Hot, You're Hot" (which garnered a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance), "Ko-Ko Joe", "Lord, Mr. Ford", "East Bound and Down" (the theme song for the 1977 blockbuster Smokey and the Bandit, in which Reed co-starred), "The Bird," and "She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)". more »

3 fans

Written by: JERRY HUBBARD REED

Lyrics © HORI PRO ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Origination
"Ko-Ko Joe" is a song written and performed by American country singer and guitarist Jerry Reed.
Year of Release
The tune was first released in 1971.
Notable Recognition
The song reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. This was Reed’s second single to hit number one on this chart.
Parent Album
"Ko-Ko Joe" is the title track of Reed's studio album that was also released in 1971.
Unique Style
Jerry Reed was known for his picking style on the guitar, and "Ko-Ko Joe," like many of his songs, showcases his unique blend of fingerstyle guitar and country twang.
Album Success
The album "Ko-Ko Joe" peaked at number sixteen on the US Billboard Top Country Albums chart, making it one of Reed’s more popular album releases.
Storytelling Element
The song "Ko-Ko Joe" tells a dramatic story filled with vengeful undertones. It revolves around a man named Ko-Ko Joe who seeks revenge on a character named Haslip, who stole his girl.
Cultural Influence
Reed's significant cultural influence can be measured by the numerous covers of his songs. While "Ko-Ko Joe" has not been as frequently covered as some of his other tracks, its dramatic lyrics and catchy tune have made it a staple in his discography.
Song Duration
The official length of the song "Ko-Ko Joe" is 2 minutes and 47 seconds.
Record Label
The song and its parent album were released under the label of RCA Records.
Contribution to Music
Jerry Reed has contributed significantly to country music with his storytelling songs like "Ko-Ko Joe". The song epitomizes his earthy humor, musical ingenuity and memorable storytelling skills that he is often remembered for.

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    Ko-Ko Joe

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1971

    Billboard #51


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