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.
Background and Release
The single was released on August 23, 1971, through RCA Victor, with the B-side "I Feel For You." It was produced by Chet Atkins. The song was the follow-up to Reed's number-one country hit "When You're Hot, You're Hot."
Content
The song, composed by Reed, describes a man living on the banks of the Etowah River in what Reed calls "cottonmouth country." The locals describe him as a long-haired, dirty-clothed survivalist who drinks homemade brew and eats exotic meats. He is ostracized by the community, who consider him a bum and "crazy." The third verse recounts an event one year prior to the song's telling, when a dam on the river burst, flooding the area. According to newspaper headlines referenced in the song, a mother reported that Ko-Ko pulled her son from the flood waters, saving the boy's life. Reed leaves it ambiguous as to whether Ko-Ko survived the flood.
Chart Performance
| Chart (1971) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 11 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 51 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 3 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 33 |
| Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks | 26 |
On the Billboard Hot 100, "Ko-Ko Joe" debuted at number 74 on September 4, 1971, and reached its peak position of number 51 on October 2, 1971, spending a total of six weeks on the chart.
Album
The album Ko-Ko Joe was released in September 1971 and contains ten tracks, including the title track, "Another Puff," "Early Morning Rain," "A Brand New Day," "Not As A Sweetheart (But Just As A Friend)," "You'll Never Walk Alone," "(Love Is) A Stranger To Me," "Country Boy's Dream," "Seasons Of My Mind," and "Framed."
