King of the Road

Roger Miller

About King of the Road

"King of the Road" is a song written and originally recorded in November 1964 by country singer Roger Miller. The lyrics tell of the day-to-day life of a vagabond hobo who, despite being poor (a "man of means by no means"), revels in his freedom, describing himself humorously or possibly cynically as the "king of the road". It was Miller's fifth single for Smash Records.


Year:
2006
2:25
34 

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Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents.
No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain't got no cigarettes
Ah, but, two hours of pushin' broom
Buys an eight by twelve four-bit room
I'm a man of means by no means, king of the road.

Third boxcar, midnight train, destination, Bangor, Maine.
Old worn out clothes and shoes,
I don't pay no union dues,
I smoke old stogies I have found short, but not too big around
I'm a man of means by no means, king of the road.

I know every engineer on every train
All of their children, and all of their names
And every handout in every town
And every lock that ain't locked, when no one's around.

I sing, trailers for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents
No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain't got no cigarettes
Ah, but, two hours of pushin' broom
Buys an eight by twelve four-bit room
I'm a man of means by no means, king of the road.

Trailers for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents
No phone, no pool, no pets, I ain't got no cigarettes
Ah, but, two hours of pushin' broom
Buys an eight by twelve four-bit room
I'm a man of means by no means, king of the road.

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Roger Miller

Roger Dean Miller (January 2, 1936 – October 25, 1992) was an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor, best known for his honky tonk-influenced novelty songs. His most recognized tunes included the chart-topping country/pop hits "King of the Road", "Dang Me" and "England Swings", all from the mid-1960s Nashville sound era. more »

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Written by: Roger Miller

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Creation
"King of the Road" was written by American country singer-songwriter Roger Miller in 1964. He reportedly crafted the song within 20 minutes, drawing inspiration from a 'hobo' sign he saw on a road trip.
Billboard Ranking
Upon its release, "King of the Road" quickly climbed the charts, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It also peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, making Miller a crossover success.
Grammy Awards
The popular country tune earned Roger Miller five Grammy Awards in 1965, including "Best Country & Western Song", "Best Country & Western Single", and "Best Country & Western Vocal Performance, Male." The song also scooped up awards for "Best Contemporary (R&R) Single" and "Best Contemporary Vocal Performance, Male."
Cover Versions
Due to its popularity and timeless appeal, "King of the Road" has been covered by numerous artists across various genres. These include Dean Martin, Johnny Cash, The Proclaimers, and even the animated characters from the film 'Shrek'.
TV Commercial Usage
This classic piece of music has had its share of airtime on television, featuring in commercials for brands like Burger King and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. It was also featured prominently in the film 'Into the Wild' and the TV show 'Mad Men’.
Song Lyrics
The catchy lyrics of "King of the Road" embody the carefree and nomadic spirit of the 1960s. The song tells the tale of a hobo who, despite his lack of material possessions, takes pride in his freedom and claims to be the "king of the road".
Song's Popularity in Britain
Although the song is quintessentially American, it also struck a chord with British audiences and reached number one in the UK Singles Chart in 1965.
Album Success
"King of the Road" also contributed to the success of the album 'The Return of Roger Miller,' which found significant commercial success and critical acclaim, cementing Miller’s status as a leading figure in the country music scene.
Induction into the Grammy Hall Of Fame
This Miller’s timeless classic was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998, recognizing it for its historical significance and influence on the music industry.
Roger Miller Tribute
In 2018, a tribute album 'King of the Road: A Tribute to Roger Miller' was released featuring renditions of Miller's songs by various artists.

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    King of the Road

    6.3M
    42,379     1,335

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1965

    Billboard #4


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