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"King of the Road" is a 1965 song written and originally recorded by country singer Roger Miller. The lyrics tell of a hobo who despite being poor (A "Man of means by no means") revels in his freedom, describing himself facetiously as the "king of the road". It was Roger's third single.
The song has been covered by several other artists, including Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Jack Jones, Boney M., R.E.M., Johnny Paycheck, The Chipmunks, Boxcar Willie, Randy Travis, Rangers, James Kilbane, John Stevens, the Statler Brothers, Rufus Wainwright & Teddy Thompson, Giant Sand, Peligro, The Proclaimers, Ray Conniff Singers and The Reverend Horton Heat during live performances.
The lyrics "no pool, no pets, I ain't got no cigarettes" were referenced by Christopher McCandless on his journey in Alaska.
Miller died from lung cancer in 1992, and was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame three years thereafter. His songs continued to be recorded by later artists, with covers of "Tall, Tall Trees" by Alan Jackson and "Husbands and Wives" by Brooks & Dunn, each reaching the #1 spot on country charts in the 1990s.
The Roger Miller Museum serves as a tribute to Miller in his hometown.
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| Lyrics |
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.
Third boxcar, midnight train
Destination...Bangor, Maine.
Old worn out suits 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.
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