Roger Miller — King of The Road
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Length: 2:22
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Trailer 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 pushing broom
Buys a eight by twelve four bit room
I'm a man of means by no means
King of the road
Third bocxcar midnight train
Destination Bangor Maine
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
I know every engineer on every train
All of the 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 pushing broom
Buys a eight by twelve four bit room
I'm a man of means by no means
King of the road
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 pushing broom
Rooms to let fifty cents
No phone no pool no pets
I ain't got no cigarettes
Ah but, two hours of pushing broom
Buys a eight by twelve four bit room
I'm a man of means by no means
King of the road
Third bocxcar midnight train
Destination Bangor Maine
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
I know every engineer on every train
All of the 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 pushing broom
Buys a eight by twelve four bit room
I'm a man of means by no means
King of the road
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 pushing broom
Comments (116)add comment
How do all these old songs sound so “present” and crystal clear? Recording techniques must have been awesome back then.
Wow, me too, miss my dad
casey1024 wrote:
casey1024 wrote:
Can't hear this without thinking of my Dad. A hobo at heart. That is meant in the kindest possible light. How I miss him.
8-->9
Wish I'd known you cyanaera...
![arrow down](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_arrowd.gif)
Wish I'd known you cyanaera...
![arrow down](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_arrowd.gif)
![arrow down](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_arrowd.gif)
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BarrettBonden wrote:
![{#Notworthy} {#Notworthy}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_notworthy.gif)
Cynaera wrote:
True story: My best friend and I learned this song, and we used to sit on my window sill (which required climbing out the bedroom window) and sing it for the neighborhood kids. They LOVED it, so we learned "Dang Me," King of the Road," and "You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd." I still remember the words to most of those songs!![{#Embarassed} {#Embarassed}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/smiley-embarassed.gif)
![{#Dancingbanana} {#Dancingbanana}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana.gif)
You were a sweet pistol of a woman, Cynaera...
When I was 16 years old my oldest brother (18 years my senior) used to play this after he came back home from hard times. He was 30 something and had let his apartment get away from him. I think now apartment could be used as a metaphor for life as well. I used to snort derisively in that particularly self-righteous 16 year old way but privately listen to the end of the song before going on to the 5th spinning of Led Zeppelin. He has always liked the old mainstream country, blue grass and old time music like the majority of my siblings and I followed suit after going to music festivals and staying up late to listen to the real shows. I guess I have always found this song rather cool. Now at 52 I sit in this apartment getting away from me and smile rather derisively at my earlier self. Such is the circle of life.
Bean
Bean
![{#Clap} {#Clap}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_clap.gif)
![{#Notworthy} {#Notworthy}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_notworthy.gif)
Cynaera wrote:
True story: My best friend and I learned this song, and we used to sit on my window sill (which required climbing out the bedroom window) and sing it for the neighborhood kids. They LOVED it, so we learned "Dang Me," King of the Road," and "You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd." I still remember the words to most of those songs!
![{#Embarassed} {#Embarassed}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/smiley-embarassed.gif)
![{#Dancingbanana} {#Dancingbanana}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana.gif)
You were a sweet pistol of a woman, Cynaera...
Can't hear this without thinking of my Dad. A hobo at heart. That is meant in the kindest possible light. How I miss him.
melsmith60 wrote:
That's unpossible for a "classic."
A classic. Rated too high on RP though.
That's unpossible for a "classic."
What a genius ! And that voice........... brilliant
"I'm a man of means, by no means."
What brilliant songwriting.
What brilliant songwriting.
scrubbrush wrote:
No, but one time .....at band camp...all of us were......
anyone else used to sing this at Scout camp?
No, but one time .....at band camp...all of us were......
When I was 16 years old my oldest brother (18 years my senior) used to play this after he came back home from hard times. He was 30 something and had let his apartment get away from him. I think now apartment could be used as a metaphor for life as well. I used to snort derisively in that particularly self-righteous 16 year old way but privately listen to the end of the song before going on to the 5th spinning of Led Zeppelin. He has always liked the old mainstream country, blue grass and old time music like the majority of my siblings and I followed suit after going to music festivals and staying up late to listen to the real shows. I guess I have always found this song rather cool. Now at 52 I sit in this apartment getting away from me and smile rather derisively at my earlier self. Such is the circle of life.
Bean
Bean
This will always remind me of Super Dave Osborne playing this atop a semi truck just before smashing into a tunnel. ![{#Roflol} {#Roflol}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_roflol.gif)
![{#Roflol} {#Roflol}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_roflol.gif)
It's most excellent because it reminds me of my grandfathers, dad and uncles. They all seemed to like this song.
melsmith60 wrote:
Just gave it a 9.
A classic. Rated too high on RP though.
Just gave it a 9.
anyone else used to sing this at Scout camp?
A classic. Rated too high on RP though.
Oh ! Have we got a theme, here ? Bill, are you trying to tell us something ? OK, I'll buy a t-shirt soon. Promised.
that song is so good all he has to do is sing it again
Man, quick trip back to childhood! What a blast! This song always makes me happy. Thanks, Bill!
This song waltzes into my head occasionally, and I sing what I know; whistle the rest.
Nice to hear it on RP along with the other spectrum broadening in the past few years. Thanks Bill. Great job!!
Nice to hear it on RP along with the other spectrum broadening in the past few years. Thanks Bill. Great job!!
Remember this well on the radio as a kid....
wlpendley wrote:
Start uploading :)
Great pop hit, but how about playing some of Roger Miller's more obscure genius songs? I'm thinking of "The Last Word In Lonesome Is Me", "A World So Full of Love", "I've Been a Long Time Leaving" or even "LIttle Green Apples"...
Start uploading :)
Great pop hit, but how about playing some of Roger Miller's more obscure genius songs? I'm thinking of "The Last Word In Lonesome Is Me", "A World So Full of Love", "I've Been a Long Time Leaving" or even "LIttle Green Apples"...
Shesdifferent wrote:
Jukeboxes & childhood, I too remember those days. :)
Thanks Bill for adding this to the playlist. Brings back so many memories when I was a kid, my mom use to play this on the jukebox in the bar that we owned. Always fun to hear.
Jukeboxes & childhood, I too remember those days. :)
This song has seen better days.
Thanks Bill for adding this to the playlist. Brings back so many memories when I was a kid, my mom use to play this on the jukebox in the bar that we owned. Always fun to hear.
I don't know why I'm surprised to hear this on RP. Nothing I hear on this station should surprise me. Thanks, Bill!
Elvis Costello, followed by The Beatles, followed by Greg Brown, followed by Roger Miller.
My god I love this station! Thank you Bill.
My god I love this station! Thank you Bill.
I never tire of listening to this song. Roger lived close by in Santa Fe.
I remember my dad or someone brought home some 45's that my brother and I used to play on a little turntable. This was one of them, and it got played a lot. I must have been 6 or 7. My dad always seemed to like this one.
Always good to hear !!!!
This song is timeless
Everyone in the hotel room above loves this tune.....so good for the ears
One of my Dad's favorite songs.
He would be surprised it's being played on my favorite rock radio station
He would be surprised it's being played on my favorite rock radio station
Antigone wrote:![](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_clap.gif)
Love this.
Still love it. I love his voice and the lyrics and, heck you haters ... it's short for god's sake!![](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_lol.gif)
![](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_clap.gif)
Love this.
Still love it. I love his voice and the lyrics and, heck you haters ... it's short for god's sake!
![](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_lol.gif)
Love it
Had to turn it off. 1965, living with my step-father. I'm surprised it brought the memories back so viscerally. No.
Burnt into my memories too Bill. There's a tavern where I grew up in Michigan called the 'Tally Ho', which was one of my Dad's old hangouts. Every time i hear this song I can picture the place and this song playing on the jukebox.
Stratocaster wrote:
I remembered every single word as I sang along. Memories of being 6 years old.
Jazz Country. I think it's the only song in that genre!
I remembered every single word as I sang along. Memories of being 7 years old, listening to my Grandma jokingly singing "Sailors for trail or rent". *smiles to self*
I remembered every single word as I sang along. Memories of being 7 years old, listening to my Grandma jokingly singing "Sailors for trail or rent". *smiles to self*
I remembered every single word as I sang along. Memories of being 6 years old.
Jazz Country. I think it's the only song in that genre!
I remembered every single word as I sang along. Memories of being 7 years old, listening to my Grandma jokingly singing "Sailors for trail or rent". *smiles to self*
I remembered every single word as I sang along. Memories of being 7 years old, listening to my Grandma jokingly singing "Sailors for trail or rent". *smiles to self*
DaveInVA wrote:
It still works for some reason. It's a good song, no matter how much I've heard it in my youth. It may have a personal connection for me because my dad drove car carriers.
When I was a kid my Mom used to play the crap out of this on the 'ol record grinder. For some reason I still like it anyways..
It still works for some reason. It's a good song, no matter how much I've heard it in my youth. It may have a personal connection for me because my dad drove car carriers.
jagdriver wrote:
(Just don't ever play American Pie, OK?)
Only once per year, on the day in question.
(Just don't ever play American Pie, OK?)
Only once per year, on the day in question.
My father used to sing along with this when it came on the AM radio in his '66 Impala hardtop coupe. I will always love this song.
Truly a classic folk song.
HoneyBearKelly wrote:
Why not?
Why, dear God?
Why?
Why?
Why not?
Bill, I grew up listening to "King of the Road" too (born 1955) but having just heard it on RP, I'm struck how it makes me think of an old school GOP. Freaky reference I know but while many of friends' parents were embracing this (and other shit like Up With People), my parents (I'm one of 12) thought the Beatles, the Stones, the Doors, Janis Joplin for example, were far more interesting & hip. Thank goodness for that!
Thanx Bill. You need never feel the need to justify/explain Roger Miller - it was a TRANSPLENDENT choice. Say hi to Rebecca.
love singing along with this one!
Hannio wrote:
And eng-a-land swings like a pendulum do.
True story: My best friend and I learned this song, and we used to sit on my window sill (which required climbing out the bedroom window) and sing it for the neighborhood kids. They LOVED it, so we learned "Dang Me," King of the Road," and "You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd." I still remember the words to most of those songs!![{#Embarassed} {#Embarassed}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/smiley-embarassed.gif)
And eng-a-land swings like a pendulum do.
True story: My best friend and I learned this song, and we used to sit on my window sill (which required climbing out the bedroom window) and sing it for the neighborhood kids. They LOVED it, so we learned "Dang Me," King of the Road," and "You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd." I still remember the words to most of those songs!
![{#Embarassed} {#Embarassed}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/smiley-embarassed.gif)
LaurieinTucson wrote:
Right there with you, LaurieinTucson!![{#High-five} {#High-five}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/high-five.gif)
Bill G, you don't banter enough. But when you do, it is always worth listening to. You could banter a lot more, and I would not mind.
Right there with you, LaurieinTucson!
![{#High-five} {#High-five}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/high-five.gif)
coloradojohn wrote:
I also very much dig comments like this.
When I was maybe 7 or 8, I begged my Aunt Charlotte in Coffeyville to show me how to play this on the piano when I was there visiting for a week or so one summer — and bless her heart, she did, and showed me just how much it rocked, and how the lyrics were way over my head but enjoyable to learn and say nonetheless...but she didn't stop there — she blew my little mind with Maple Leaf Rag, and man, I realized then and there that this new world of MUSIC was by far the Better Kingdom on this Earth...
I also very much dig comments like this.
Bill G, you don't banter enough. But when you do, it is always worth listening to. You could banter a lot more, and I would not mind.
When I was maybe 7 or 8, I begged my Aunt Charlotte in Coffeyville to show me how to play this on the piano when I was there visiting for a week or so one summer — and bless her heart, she did, and showed me just how much it rocked, and how the lyrics were way over my head but enjoyable to learn and say nonetheless...but she didn't stop there — she blew my little mind with Maple Leaf Rag, and man, I realized then and there that this new world of MUSIC was by far the Better Kingdom on this Earth...
it always makes me think of Pulp Fiction
I can't hear a Roger Miller song without thinking of him on the Muppet Show. Priceless.
Right on, Bill... I, too, "waited" through this like you. But NOW....
(Just don't ever play American Pie, OK?)
(Just don't ever play American Pie, OK?)
a "wait through" tune...well stated Bill
When I was a kid my Mom used to play the crap out of this on the 'ol record grinder. For some reason I still like it anyways..
Roger's a legend, what can I say?
sweet!
OMG...I know the words to this song like it was second nature. My mom use to play this at our bar on the jukebox when I was in elementary school. Love it...even though I'm not a country fan. Roger Miller had his place.... ![{#Clap} {#Clap}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_clap.gif)
![{#Clap} {#Clap}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_clap.gif)
![](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_clap.gif)
Love this.
So Cool. Fond memories of singing along to this one.
Yeah... I knew all of the words by the time I was 10. Hey, my grandpa was an actual "Hobo" during the depression, so I felt that I had a grasp on the song.
Thanks for playing this. There's a reason that so many people have covered it over the years.
Thanks for playing this. There's a reason that so many people have covered it over the years.
![{#Cheesygrin} {#Cheesygrin}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_cheesygrin.gif)
This song is just epic. Thanks, Bill!
One of my favorites. Roger lived just outside of my hometown, Santa Fe.
It's like finding a gem in the attic. Dust off the vinyl & play. Memories come flooding back. ![{#Bounce} {#Bounce}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_bounce.gif)
Thanks Bill!!
![{#Bounce} {#Bounce}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_bounce.gif)
Thanks Bill!!
handyrae wrote:
That's all the answer you need.
Because it's so much fun. That's my answer at least.
That's all the answer you need.
westslope wrote:
Reminds me of driving the '58 Bel Air up through Oklahoma and Kansas to visit Grandma and Grandpa in Iowa.
I remember this delightful song. It hinted at life beyond suburbia.
Reminds me of driving the '58 Bel Air up through Oklahoma and Kansas to visit Grandma and Grandpa in Iowa.
Randomax wrote:
'Dang Me', 'Chug-a-Lug', 'Do-Wacka-Do', plus 'You Can't Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd' and many other insightful ditties.
didn't he do Dang Me? and that song about an upset tummy?
'Dang Me', 'Chug-a-Lug', 'Do-Wacka-Do', plus 'You Can't Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd' and many other insightful ditties.
HoneyBearKelly wrote:
Because it's so much fun. That's my answer at least.
Why, dear God?
Why?
Why?
Because it's so much fun. That's my answer at least.
Randomax wrote:
And, you cain't roller skate thru a buffalo herd...
didn't he do Dang Me? and that song about an upset tummy?
And, you cain't roller skate thru a buffalo herd...
Randomax wrote:
And eng-a-land swings like a pendulum do.
didn't he do Dang Me? and that song about an upset tummy?
And eng-a-land swings like a pendulum do.
Why, dear God?
Why?
Why?
Awesome line delivery. Comparable with the greats like Sinatra. This is simply a wonderful combination of song and voice.
7 —> 8
One of my mom's favorites. Perfect timing, Bill...bless you
RIP Mom 2010
RIP Mom 2010
Now why can't there be "rooms to let for 50 cents" these days? Heck, I'd settle for a room for $500...
![{#Cowboy} {#Cowboy}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_cowboy.gif)
didn't he do Dang Me? and that song about an upset tummy?
excellent follow-up to Greg Brown's "Just a Bum"
Nowhere but RP!!!!!!! Mom had this album....reminds me of her.....are you 'up there' listening, Mom?
Really want to hear "King of the Road", been listing to you for years, and had a conversation about this song today, if you could play it would be great!
I remember an old skydiving friend singing his own version of this as "King of the Air" about the joys of skydiving and in particular the old days when it was just getting started.
You'll laugh friends, but AND THIS song too, I also heard for the first time in the performance of Boney M
Rooms to let ... 50 cents ...
more Roger !
more Roger !
Great song!![{#Cheers} {#Cheers}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_cheers.gif)
![{#Cheers} {#Cheers}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_cheers.gif)
Giggity!
df1489 wrote:
Singin' AND snappin' here in good ol' Virginny.
Singin' right along....mmmmmm
Singin' AND snappin' here in good ol' Virginny.
MORE MORE MORE Roger Miller!
I remember this delightful song. It hinted at life beyond suburbia.
Fun, but I prefer the drunk-off-their-asses version from REM on "Dead Letter Office."
Childhood. Parties that my parents hosted. Everyone sang. Dad played guitar or banjo - everyone knew how to harmonize. God, what I would give for one of those days to relive. Thanks Mom & Dad for warmth and fun that reaches me 45 years in the future. xo
Love this song - once I hear it I'll sing it all day.
As a kid, when grand-ma would take us visitin' kin folks around Memphis and north Mississippi., I would always entertain myself by listening to records while the adults "visited". I was always happy to find a Roger Miller album among the typical collection of Elvis albums. Do-wack-a-do, Cain't Roller Skate, England Swings.... great memories.
Time has no impact on good music. It works and will work long after most of us are gone.
I can still remember this song the first time I heard it, in the summer,ice cream truck going by Mom on the front porch, I was 4. Wow memories from a song there is a synapse left.
Singin' right along....mmmmmm
spicytomato wrote:
This was one of *my* dad's favorite songs, too. He had a sad life, but when he sang he transformed into a happy guy. This song will forever hold a very special place in my heart, and in my iTunes library. I miss my dad, and this song will always bring a lump to my throat. :( But it's a "good" lump. :)
My father and I loved listening to this song together. He used to smoke "stogies" too.
This was one of *my* dad's favorite songs, too. He had a sad life, but when he sang he transformed into a happy guy. This song will forever hold a very special place in my heart, and in my iTunes library. I miss my dad, and this song will always bring a lump to my throat. :( But it's a "good" lump. :)
Now you have no excuse. Destroy that awful Proclaimers" version that you've been playing recently.
Someone please upload Do Wacka Do.
My late father used to play this all the time, especially when i would blast my Beatles and Stones music as a youngin. great music never goes out of style!
Interesting that I've never heard the artist's name before but I definitely know the song!
My father and I loved listening to this song together. He used to smoke "stogies" too.
This is amazing! I believe he used to live close to my hometown, Santa Fe.
10
![](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_yes.gif)
Good memories from long, long ago.
I've lived this...
Love it!
Brilliant!
A true classic.
One of my late father's favorite songs.
Enjoy!