king of the road - roger miller - cover

king of the road
"King of the Road" is a 1965 song written and originally recorded by country singer Roger Miller. The lyrics tell of a man with a nomad or perpetual traveler lifestyle (possibly a struggling road musician, as the composer was himself) who, although he lives in a hand-to-mouth existence, also feels free, and describes himself with joking introspection as the "king of the road". It was written at the Idanha Hotel in Boise, Idaho.

The song has been covered by several other artists, including Boney M., Dean Martin, R.E.M., Johnny Paycheck, Boxcar Willie, Randy Travis, Rangers, James Kilbane, the Statler Brothers, Rufus Wainwright, R.E.M., Giant Sand, The Proclaimers, and The Reverend Horton Heat during live performances.

The King Family Show was a TV variety show during 1965-1969. Each week they would run through a medley of the popular tunes of the week. The family-oriented show's producers were uncomfortable with the line "I ain't got no cigarettes", and replaced it with "no regrets".

The song is featured in Wim Wenders' 1976 film, Im Lauf der Zeit (In Due Time; English title Kings of the Road). It is also featured at the beginning of Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Brokeback Mountain, Into the Wild and in Swingers.
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.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• king
• of
• the
• road
• roger
• miller
• cover

[cablv96]

Dude your a failure

[zaputzaput1]

Hey, get the words right and try again. You voice is pleasant and you can do this. Nice try.

[hearth208]

Very weird but nice try!

[colrockandroll]

bacano como tocas y cantas hermano saludos desde colombia

[michaelamiles]

nice try buddy. I also posted a version of this, would be interested to here your comments on my version.

[dalard2161]

Awesome!

[rpmblues]

Overall, fairly spot-on country package - Roger Miller would be proud!!

[nbond1986]

very nice playing and singing.

however, your top 2 strings are slightly off. repost this in good tuning, and it would be great.

[trintdaddylandis]

good job man...check my version out and let me know what you think

[kuiperobject]

a couple of incorrect lyrics in the sung version, but good guitar.