King of the Road
King of the Road is a country song written by Roger Miller and released in 1965 that became an evergreen .
History of origin
When Miller's song Dang Me reached first place in the country charts on July 18, 1964, he was concerned about further successor hits, which he recorded on a credit card application. It took him a total of six weeks to complete the piece.
On November 3, 1964, the established session band of Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville , consisting of the producer of the song Jerry Kennedy (electric guitar), Harold Bradley (guitar), Ray Edenton (rhythm guitar), Bob Moore (bass guitar) and Buddy Harman (drums). In addition to Kennedy, Buddy Killen and Thumbs Carlisle ensure the characteristic snap of the fingers. Miller sings and accompanies himself on the electric guitar, dominated by the GC-D7-G chord progression.
Song content
While touring the Midwest, Miller spotted a sign outside of Chicago advertising “Trailers for Sale or Rent,” which he incorporated into his new song as well as worn out clothes and shoes, freight cars and mild Gifts ("handouts").
The song about a homeless person who sleeps in cheap and unlocked caravans or as a hobo on freight trains, pays no taxes and smokes picked cigar stubs, paints the picture of a generation of nomadic people excluded from society. Two hours of sweeping work with a broom bring in around 50 cents, which is enough for an overnight stay in a 9 m² room.
success
The hymn to the unrestrained life on the road and rail was first released on the album The Return of Roger Miller , which was released in January 1965. After intense airplay, it was decided to release King of the Road / Atta Boy Girl as a single (Smash # 1965) in the same month. The single reached number one on the country charts on March 25, 1965, which it held for five weeks. With rank 4 in the pop charts, the title proved its crossover potential . The piece also reached number one in Great Britain. Miller received his first gold record in May 1965 and a first check for $ 160,000 in royalties from his music publisher Tree Publishing in August 1966 .
The single sold 550,000 copies in the first 18 days of its release, a total of 2.5 million copies worldwide. The record was chosen as the most played single of the year for the "jukebox record 1965".
Statistics and awards
In 1965 Miller received five Grammy Awards for the song , namely Best Contemporary Rock 'n Roll Single , Best Contemporary Vocal Performance , Best Country & Western Recording , Best Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song, as well as numerous awards from the music magazine Billboard. The album The Return of Roger Miller received the NARAS award for best country album of 1965. According to BMI , Roger Miller has 198 compositions registered under copyright, 11 of which received a BMI award, including King of the Road .
Cover versions
The popularity of the title is expressed in its more than 300 versions. Jody Miller released an answer song called Queen of the House in April 1965 . Among the numerous versions is the German version, written by Hans Bradtke , Bin nur ein Tramp by Bill Ramsey , which was produced on April 1, 1965 by Heinz Gietz . Dean Martin (August 1965), Jerry Lee Lewis (November 1965), Statler Brothers (November 30, 1965) or even Boney M. (on the LP Nightflight to Venus released on July 28, 1978 ) picked up the song. The Proclaimers also had success in the European charts in 1990 with their cover version.
Individual evidence
- ^ Joseph Murrells, Million Selling Records , 1985, p. 211
- ↑ Billboard Magazine of May 7, 1966, Roger Miller Voted Top Jukebox Artist 1965 , p. 64
- ↑ Billboard Magazine, October 23, 1965, p. 8
- ↑ Billboard Magazine, October 22, 1966, p. 35