KING OF THE ROAD – Roger Miller (1964)
(CAPO FIRST FRET – KEY OF Bb)
INTRO: SNAP FINGERS (can play first line of verse or do 4 note bass line run, but the original bass line intro cannot be done on a regular guitar and sound good)
BASS LINE RUN: (in-between verse 1 & 2, can also use as intro)
E D C# B A chord leads into Verse 2
1/E |---------------|
2/B |-------------2-|
3/G |-------------2-|
4/D |-------------2-|
5/A |-2--0--------0-|
6/E |-------4--2----|
VERSE 1: (* = single strum)
[A] Trailers for [D]sale or rent, [E] rooms to let [A]fifty cents.
No phone, no [D]pool, no pets, [E*mute] I ain't got no cigarettes. Ah but,
[A] two hours of [D]pushin' broom, buys a, [E] eight by twelve [A]four-bit room.
I'm a, [A7]man of [D]means by no means, [E*mute] King of the Road___. (bass line run)
VERSE 2: (* = single strum)
[A] Third boxcar [D]midnight train, [E] destination [A]Bangor, Maine.
Old worn out [D]suit and shoes; [E*mute] I don't pay no union dues. I smoke,
[A] old stogies [D]I have found, [E] short, but not [A]too big around.
I'm a, [A7]man of means by no means, [E*mute] King of the Road___.
( * > SLIDE CAPO TO 2ND FRET - tune steps up a half a step < * )
VERSE 3: (* = single strum)
I know [A]every engineer on [D]every train, [E] all their children, [A]all of their names, and every handout in [D]every town, and [E*mute]every lock that ain't
locked when no one's around. I sing...
REPEAT VERSE ONE TWICE
MY OWN OUTTRO:
I'm a, [A7]man of [D]means by no means, [E*mute] King of the Road___.
[E ' mute] King of the Road [E ' ] (LET RING AND SNAP FINGERS TO FADE)
E doesn't = MC2, E = Fb
Music "Theory"? "It's not just a theory, it's the way it is!"
Jonny T.
Great song jonnyt
This one really brings back some memories of both a very good and bad time for my family when I was young.
My Dad was all country, that's all I ever heard.
Dang me, Dang me, they oughta take a rope and hang me,
Hang me from the highest tree............
If you know something better than Rock and Roll, I'd like to hear it - Jerry Lee Lewis
Sorry Wes - my mother had this as a 45, probably the only country music she had, and I sure liked it better the the classical stuff.
E doesn't = MC2, E = Fb
Music "Theory"? "It's not just a theory, it's the way it is!"
Jonny T.
You had to listen to classical? Now, that's bad (just kidding). My Dad is in his late 70's now, but up until about 10 years ago he used to go up to the Grand Ole Opry every year. He lived in Nashville as a young man. He was always a little disapointed that my younger brother and I preferred Rock.
Now that I'm older, I appreciate Country Music much more. Those cats can play!
If you know something better than Rock and Roll, I'd like to hear it - Jerry Lee Lewis
Not too much classical really. I have a twin brother and two sisters that are 8 and 10 years older, so I mainly grew up listening to CCR, Bread, Grass Roots, the Monkees, Three Dog Night, Grand Funk, you know, late 60's - 70's pop-rock. I had to find the harder sounding stuff on my own.
E doesn't = MC2, E = Fb
Music "Theory"? "It's not just a theory, it's the way it is!"
Jonny T.
HEH! I ran several needles through this 45 when I was a kid. Â Do you have a particular strumming pattern for it Johnny? I'm guessing it's 4/4 time. I haven't heard it in years but I know it by heart. Â ;D
Hey Wes, just remember .....
You can't rollerskate in a buffalo herd.
You can't rollerskate in a buffalo herd.......:D
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- "WOW--What a Ride!"
No I really don't have a strumming pattern for it. It's somewhat an abbreviated strum at times.
I always think in my head that I want that "old soft shoe" sound and feel and it comes out pretty good... hope that helps.
If you want I could e-mail you an MP3 sound file.
E doesn't = MC2, E = Fb
Music "Theory"? "It's not just a theory, it's the way it is!"
Jonny T.
Hey, johnyt. Thanks, that will work fine. CHeck your e-mail. :D
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- "WOW--What a Ride!"
speaking of roger miller, "can't roller skate in a buffalo herd" is just G and D for the verses and C and G for the "chorus"
