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"KING OF THE ROAD" - Roger Miller

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(@jonnyt)
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I posted this a long time ago when the Easy Song Forum first came into existence, but I can't find it and I've made some improvements.


KING OF THE ROAD – Roger Miller (1964) (ORIGINAL KEY OF Bb)
(CAPO 1st FRET)

INTRO: (capo as the nut)

4/D 2-4-2-----|-------|-------|-4-7-----------|-----|---------------------
5/A ------4-0-|-0-0-4-|-4-4-5-|------4-5--6-7-|-6-7-|-7-7--7-5-5--4-4-2-2-
6/E ----------|-------|-------|---------------|-----|---------------------

VERSE 1: (* = single strum)

A D E A
TRAILERS FOR SALE OR RENT, ROOMS TO LET FIFTY CENTS.
D E* mute (bass line run)
NO PHONE, NO POOL, NO PETS, I AIN'T GOT NO CIGA-RETTES. AH BUT,
A D E A
TWO HOURS OF PUSHIN' BROOM, BUYS A, EIGHT BY TWELVE FOUR-BIT ROOM.
A7 D E* mute (bass line run)
I'M A, MAN OF MEANS BY NO MEANS, KING OF THE ROAD___.

BASS 5/A |-2-0-------|
VERSE 2: (* = single strum) LINE 6/E |------4--2-|

A D E A
THIRD BOXCAR MIDNIGHT TRAIN, DESTINATION BANGOR, MAINE.
D E* mute (bass line run)
OLD WORN OUT SUIT AND SHOES; I DON'T PAY NO UNION DUES. I SMOKE,
A D E A
OLD STOGIES I HAVE FOUND, SHORT, BUT NOT TOO BIG AROUND.
A7 D E* mute
I'M A, MAN OF MEANS BY NO MEANS, KING OF THE ROAD___.

VERSE 3: (SLIDE CAPO TO 2ND FRET - tune steps up a half a step)

A D E
I KNOW EVERY ENGINEER ON EVERY TRAIN,
A
ALL THEIR CHILDREN AND ALL OF THEIR NAMES,
D E* mute
AND EVERY HANDOUT IN EVERY TOWN, AND EVERY LOCK THAT AIN'T LOCKED
(bass line run - REPEAT VERSE 1 TWICE)
WHEN NO ONE'S AROUND. I SING...

OUTRO: (alternate ending by Jonny T.)

A7 D E* mute
I'M A, MAN OF MEANS BY NO MEANS, KING OF THE ROAD___.
E ' mute E ' (let ring and snap fingers to fade)
KING OF THE ROAD___.

E doesn't = MC2, E = Fb

Music "Theory"? "It's not just a theory, it's the way it is!"

Jonny T.


   
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(@dustdevil)
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Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 99
 

Glad you reposted.

My kids like this song. I had a version in the key of C (C,G7,F) that I worked with a while but my F was still a little shaky. I'm going to give this one a try.

(I'm beginning to think just about any song can be played with a G,A,D, or E and a well placed capo.)

Thanks again.

John A.

They say only a pawnshop guitar can play the blues. An eBay one does it better. A guitar's bound to feel unloved if her owner plasters pictures of her over the internet for all to see and then sells her off to the highest anonymous bidder.


   
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(@jonnyt)
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My mother had this on a 45 when I was a kid, so I've always thought it was pretty cool.

My tab is in the original key of Bb, but much easier to play with a capo... particularly if you want to do the 1/2 step, step-up as heard on the original recording.

Personally I tune down a half a step and then apply the capo since my vocal range is maxed out in the upper range at Bb... and stepping up to C just ain't gonna sound good coming out of me.

E doesn't = MC2, E = Fb

Music "Theory"? "It's not just a theory, it's the way it is!"

Jonny T.


   
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(@dogsbody)
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Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 715
 

Good one Jonnyt,

Just tried this out, its good.

Brings back memories of Roger Miller's other massive hit here in the UK "England Swings". Anyone got the lowdown on that one?

Thanks,

Chris

The guitar is all right John but you'll never make a living out of it! (John Lennon's Aunt Mimi)


   
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(@anonymous)
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Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 8184
 

Thanks Jonny,
Now I have to go and find a capo I can move quicker :lol:
(I will play around with my Dunlop quickclip when I get home, maybe?)
EDIT: the more I look at this the more I am thinking I can play this with barre chords and forget about trying to move a capo around in the middle of a song. The chord shapes are easy enough.


   
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(@jonnyt)
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Do what you will... but the capo move couldn't be easier since there's nothing being played while you do it. Your voice takes you to the next key and then you come in with the guitar. Then you can play the same easy guitar chords through out the whole song.

E doesn't = MC2, E = Fb

Music "Theory"? "It's not just a theory, it's the way it is!"

Jonny T.


   
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 Mike
(@mike)
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Now I have to go and find a capo I can move quicker

This is the Glider. When I get a shot, I'm gonna try that puppy out. It looks like a keeper!


   
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(@anonymous)
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Posts: 8184
 

Wow Tracker,
That is the cats behind isn't it.
Duly added to my must have list.


   
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 Nils
(@nils)
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This is the Glider. When I get a shot, I'm gonna try that puppy out. It looks like a keeper!
You'll love it. I think I got it for $29 in a local shop awhile back but worth every penny.

The only thing I don't like about it is removal since you have to remove the end cap. Sometimes if you slide it up on the nut it will pop over the the headstock and bring you up an octave or two.

Nils' Page - Guitar Information and other Stuff
DMusic Samples


   
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(@jonnyt)
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I just use a Dunlop Trigger. Plenty quick for this change... though I am curious about the Glider.

E doesn't = MC2, E = Fb

Music "Theory"? "It's not just a theory, it's the way it is!"

Jonny T.


   
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(@mikemc)
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Joined: 19 years ago
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I was searching through the older threads and i found this little gem that i can't wait to try.

Thanks jonnyt


   
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(@vic-lewis-vl)
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Posts: 10264
 

Yep, nice job Jonny....

Dogsbody, I think England Swings used a lot of 7ths in the chorus.....

something like....

(E)England swings like a (B)pendulum do,
(E)Bobbies on Bicycles, (B7)two by two,
(E)Westminster Abbey, the (A7)Tower, Big Ben,
The (E)rosy red cheeks of the (B7) little child(E)ren.....

(That's just trying to cast my mind back about 40 years to my youth....I remember singing that song in a school talent contest - and yes, you're right, I didn't win!!! England Swings was my mum's idea - I wanted to do a Beatles song....see, I had good taste even waaaaaaay back then......!!!!)

BTW, Roger Miller also had hits with "Dang Me" and "Little Green Apples" over here - again, trusting the memory database......"Little Green Apples" came to mind when we were flying back from Texas, I started sort of half-humming, half singing, "God didn't make those little gren apples, He never flew thru Minneapolis in the Sumertime"......Marilyn pipes up, "That should be Indianapolis...."

"No Love, If He'd gone through Minneapolis, we wouldn't be here now....cos he'd have smote this place off the map - we'd have probably gone through new York or somewhere else and been home by now....."

12 hours in Minneapolis Airport is enough to try the patience of any man or woman....we finally got on the plane, Marilyn totally ignored the subtle hint from the Captain...."ANY ATTEMPT TO DISABLE THE SMOKE DETECTORS IN THE TOILETS WILL RESULT IN A FEDERAL PROSECUTION...." so a couple of Grey Goose Martinis later, guess who tried to have a crafty ciggie in the loo? Got it in one....and guess who was last off the plane....after Marilyn being cautioned by the Tactical Armed Response Team who boarded the plane.....

(I had to laugh when Twisted Fingers pointed out, only the Brits could put an ELITE armed squad together and call it T.A.R.T..........!!!!!!)

I have to go back to the States - but next time, Marilyn stays home!!!!

Need Shiner Bock.....Need Shiner Bock.....Need Shiner Bock.....Need Shiner Bock.....mmmm niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice...........

:D :D :D

Vic

"Sometimes the beauty of music can help us all find strength to deal with all the curves life can throw us." (D. Hodge.)


   
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(@vic-lewis-vl)
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Oh and Jonnyt - is the capital of Illinois Springfield?

:D :D :D

Vic

"Sometimes the beauty of music can help us all find strength to deal with all the curves life can throw us." (D. Hodge.)


   
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(@jonnyt)
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correct UK

E doesn't = MC2, E = Fb

Music "Theory"? "It's not just a theory, it's the way it is!"

Jonny T.


   
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(@vic-lewis-vl)
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Posts: 10264
 

Thought it was about time someone answered that question...

"Location: Q: The capital of Illinois is?"

It's been hanging there in the GN ether for three years.....

Q - The capital of England is?

A - Doh, that's an easy one, "E".....

Ah the auld ones are the best......

:D :D :D

Vic

"Sometimes the beauty of music can help us all find strength to deal with all the curves life can throw us." (D. Hodge.)


   
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