"King of the Road" is a song written by country singer Roger Miller, who first recorded it in November 1964.[2]
The lyrics tell of the day-to-day life of a traveling hobo who, despite having little money (a "man of means by no means"), revels in his freedom, describing himself humorously and cynically as the "king of the road". It was Miller's fifth single for Smash Records.[3] The song won Miller 5 Grammy Awards in 1966.
History
The crossover record reached No. 1 on the US Country chart,[4] No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 1 on the Easy Listening surveys.[5] It was also No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart,[6] and in Norway. Miller recalled that the song was inspired when he was driving and saw a sign on the side of a barn that read, "Trailers for sale or rent".[7] This became the opening line of the song.
R.E.M. covered the song, in a shambolic, drunken, offhand rendering. Guitarist Peter Buck later commented, "If there was any justice in the world, Roger Miller should be able to sue for what we did to this song."[8]
A comic version by English entertainer Billy Howard, "King of the Cops", was a British chart hit in 1976.[9]
In both the English and German versions of Animals United (2010), Billy the Meerkat sings this song while Across to “The Valley of Death”.[10]
"King of the Road" won Roger Miller 5 Grammy Awards at the 1966 8th Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony. It won for Best Contemporary (R&R) Single, Best Contemporary (R&R) Vocal Performance - Male, Best Country & Western Single, Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Male & Best Country & Western Song. He also won a Grammy for Best Country & Western Album "The Return Of Roger Miller".[11]
Critical reception
In 2024, Rolling Stone ranked the song at #60 on its 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time ranking.[12]
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
"Queen of the House"
Country music singer Jody Miller (no relation) answered "King of the Road" with "Queen of the House" (1965). The song used Roger Miller's music while changing the lyrics to describe the day-to-day life of a stay-at-home mom. The words were written by Mary Taylor.[23][24] The song was a hit, reaching number 12 on Billboard's Hot 100 and number 5 on the Hot Country Singles chart. It also won a Grammy for Female Country Vocal Performance.
The Supremes performed "Queen of the House" in their nightclub act. It can be heard on their The Supremes at the Copa (1965) album and I Hear a Symphony remastered CD, which includes their September 1966 appearance at the Roostertail in Detroit, on the second disc.[citation needed]
