11. November 2013
Road-Songs: “King Of The Road”
By Walter Price
Roger Miller is most definitely in my top 20 of the best songwriters of all time.
In 1964 Miller wrote, recorded and released The Classic of all classic road-songs, King Of The Road. A tale of a man, a hobo, finding contentment in solitude with what little he has.
Old worn out suit 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…
Miller had a huge crossover hit almost right out the box with King Of The Road. Not only in the US but around the world. Helping to cement the popular Nashville sound of the 60’s into the hearts of music fans everywhere.
Over the years KOTR has been recorded more times than almost any other song in history and from a sweeping variety of artists and genres. From REM, Rufus Wainwright, The Proclaimers, George Jones, Dean Martin and so on and on…
“If there was any justice in the world, Roger Miller should be able to sue for what we did to this song.” – Peter Buck (R.E.M.)
Take a look/listen to a few different version and let us know what you think…
In Memory of Roger Miller 1936 – 1992
For all things Roger Miller: Website.