King of the Road (song)

"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.Fact|date=March 2008 In an interview with Drake-Chenault host Robert W. Morgan in the early 70's, Miller mentioned writing it while in the Chicago area. The highly popular crossover record hit #4 on the Billboard Top 100, and #1 on their Country and Easy Listening surveys.

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

"The King Family Show" was a TV variety show broadcast from 1965 to 1969. Each week, the King Family would run through a medley of the week's popular tunes of the week. The family-oriented show producers were uncomfortableFact|date=March 2008 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 "", "Brokeback Mountain", "Into the Wild" and in "Swingers". Miller performs it in the concert film "The Big T.N.T. Show".

The tune was also featured in the British road safety advertisements.Fact|date=March 2008

The lyrics "no pool, no pets, I ain't got no cigarettes" were referenced by Christopher McCandless on his journey in Alaska.

Queen of the House

In the same year (1965), country music singer Jody Miller answered "King of the Road" with "Queen of the House". The song used Roger Miller's music while changing the lyrics to describe the day-to-day life of a housewife. The words were written by Mary Taylor. [cite web|url=http://www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/artist/artist.cgi?ARTISTID=354487|title=MusicMatch guide, "Jody Miller"] [cite web|url=http://sniff.numachi.com/pages/tiQUENHOUS.html|title=Digital Tradition Mirror, "Queen of the House" ]

Footnotes

References

* [http://www.rogermiller.com/ Roger Miller official website]

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6gFGqgKkNw&NR=1 Video: "A Roger Miller Tribute - King Of The Road"] at Youtube