Yes, I was looking for this comment. My mother grew up in the Great Depression, and we used to sing this song when I was a kid on car rides, so I knew about the hardships and the people from that era from her. But we are so far away from it now that many younger people have no concept of what it was like. Glad to see a little explanation here. 😊
Roger did a lot of country style novelty songs in the 60's & had a lot of hits such as "Dang Me", "Chug-a-Lug", "Do-Wacka-Do", "You Can"t Roller Skate With A Buffalo Herd", "Engine Engine Number 9", "England Swings" etc. He also wrote & performed several of the songs for the 1973 Disney animated film "Robin Hood" such as "Oo-De-Lally ", "Not In Nottingham" & "Whistle Stop".
Roger Miller was the King of parody songs. Each one was meant for sing-alongs. "England Swings" is one I've noticed no one mentioned yet. The more you listen to him, the more you appreciate his artistry. His voice matches anyone in the profession. Maybe there was a scandal in his life, but I doubt it. He is so unassuming. "Dang Me" is another one I didn't realize I can recall all the lyrics. Just watched a video where he does a duo on the violin with Doug Kershaw. Looking up his profile now.
Besides being a genius, Roger Miller was known to give away lines, inciting many Nashville songwriters to follow him around since, according to some, "everything he said was a potential song."
🎉 “2 hours of pushin’ broom buys a 8’x12’, 4-bit room..” Looong time ago, there was a saying: “2 bits, 4 bits, 6 bits, a dollar.” That meant, a dollar must be worth 8 bits…therefore, a hotel room rented for 50 cents!!! Probably wasn’t a very “nice” place to rest your head…not exactly the Hilton.
Roger Miller was my all-time favorite singer since he first hit the charts in 1965 with this hit. He won 11 Grammies in two years then, and later in the 1980's wrote the Tony award-winning music for the play "Big River", about Huckelberry Finn. He turned Country Music upside down with his brand-new style and quirky lyrics. Although most people remember his novelty songs best, he also wrote many beautiful ballads and was the first to cover and have hits with songs written by others, such as "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Darby's Castle", or the very beautiful "Loving Her Was Easier Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again". Many of his songs are still being covered today. He was a songwriter's songwriter and one of the most beloved members of the Country music community. Just check out Roger Miller on RUclips and you will find a huge catalog. Pick a title that catches your interest. Gail L.
This is why country of the 50s/60s/70s is the best country. During the War, my then-teenaged father-in-law used to ride the freight trains from Oxford, Mississippi, to the wheat fields of Kansas to work the harvest, then ride on a passenger train back the other way when the harvest was over and he had his pay in hand.
Roger was one of the Kings of composition. He wrote goofy & fun stuff (You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd, Dang Me, etc.) King of the Road, Little Toy Trains, and more ( I'm drawing a brain freeze right now) were his "serious" songs. (Everyone wants to classify or "genre" music). He was an extremely respected songwriter and musician by other Nashville songwriters and musicians. He had some demons in his back pocket, but I think cancer was the cause of his death. Whenever I hear his name I always have to smile--he brought laughter to children with his humor.
One of my favorite song besides "Dang Me " by Roger Miller , is the song "Walking, Talking, Crying, Barely Beating Broken Hart" with the 80's country music band Highway 101
🎊 “Trailers for sale or rent. Rooms to let, 50 cents.” Those lines at the beginning of the song mean he’s reading the “want ads” in a newspaper. (Sometimes “non-Americans” miss these little cultural references, especially from the early “black ‘n’ white” days.)
A memory that will stay with me forever, lol. I went to an outdoor concert in the 90's. After it was over and everyone was walking to their cars this was playing! His song Dang Me is awesome as well!
Love him! I was in around 6th grade when he had this hit! He always wrote such clever lyrics, only John Prince comes to mind when I think of heart humor etc. RIP, Roger! ❤
LOL, I remember the song on the radio when I was kid, but I was 10 YO at the time. One of the first songs I can remember learning all the verses because it was so cool (maybe because my dad smoked Chesterfields?).
Saeed, you're picking some very interesting oldies.......thank you. It was one of my Dad's favorites, and I grew up(as a kid) hearing this and some Marty Robbins gunfighter ballads
In 1967 Roger Miller came to my college in Missouri and I attended his concert. "King of the Road" was his biggest hit back then. 3 of his other songs were: "Dang Me" and "You Can't Roller skate In a Buffalo Herd" and "England Swings". His lyrics were quirky and fun.
I was surprised to learn recently that a fine musician I used to know, Bill Kirchen, hopped a few freight trains back in the 1960s. For a fun listen sometime, check out a song called “Hot Rod Lincoln” by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. (Seriously.) Bill supplied the oh-so-hot guitar licks on that 1972 hit.
Okay, now yer takin' me back to my pre-school years. I learned how to operate my dad's stereo system before I was school age, and he had several Roger Miller albums in amongst his big-band era albums and folk albums. Roger had a ton of great songs, some of them even became hits, as this one did. This particular song is one of only two songs that I can sing from start to finish from memory without butchering the melody out of recognition...in fact, for the last few months it's a song I have been singing to my grandson when picking him up and taking him back home. My goal is for him to always think of his Grandpa K whenever he hears King of the Road or the song Lazy River (I do my best to sound like the original The Mills Brothers' version). Oh, yah, by the way, The Mills Brothers would be another pretty great rabbit hole to explore. They go back a long way, their earliest hits were in the mid-40s. If you do, I'd suggest Lazy River, or Paper Doll, or The Jones Boy, or their last big hit, a song called Cab Driver.
Great singer/songwriter. Roger helped search for the plane crash of Patsy Cline, Hacksaw Hawkins Cowboy Copas, & Randy Hughes. He said it was a terrible site & people were already taking things as souvenirs before the police could secure the area.
Thanks for doing this request. "Dang Me", "Chug-a-Lug", "Do-Wacka-Do", "You Can"t Roller Skate With A Buffalo Herd", "Engine Engine Number 9", "England Swings" ..take your pick.
I remember going downtown with my mother, to buy this on 45, when it was on the hit parade. I was 7. We went to the Five and Dime lunch counter afterwards, and had french fries and lime rickey. I probably havent thought of that for 59 years! Dude! 🙂
@@SaeedReacts.I would listen to Kacey Musgraves version of Kansas City Star at the same time as Roger Miller's original. It's a great cover and does credit to the original.
You should look up Jody Miller's (no relation) answer song: "Queen Of The House". He sings, "I'm a man of means by no means," he's saying he's NOT a "man of means." (The character is a rail-riding hobo.)
Thanks for this, Saeed. It always reminds me of my paternal grandfather who jumped trains and worked odd jobs for most of the 1920's after fighting in Europe during WWI.
Hey Saeed, I was hoping one day you'd find Roger Miller, he has so many good songs! If you ever need a list let me know I'll be happy to help you! "Dang Me" is a great one to start you off!
Old slang some people might not be familiar with - four bits = 50¢. So the four bit room is the one that was advertised for fifty cents earlier in the verse. When I was younger I kept mishearing it as a "four bed room" and I assumed they wedged four bunks into an 8 x 12 foot room 😂.
You're hearing an acoustic upright bass, yet on the TV video the guy is playing an electric bass. the record has been superimposed over the video soundtrack. Roger was quite a comedian with his songs.
Hotels haven’t been .50 cants since the 1900., 1940’s was $3 a night, he’s a hobo. He’s like me my wife wants hotel rooms for over $200. The lat one I got a couple years ago was $27. Obviously she won’t even drive by any hotel I get. No im not King of the road I’m just a cheap ba$+ard
After my dad passed away I saved a number of LPs from his collection. Lots of great 40s, 50s, 60s music including this LP.
Goes back to the great depression .. when men jumped trains looking for work .. Hobos ..
Yes, I was looking for this comment. My mother grew up in the Great Depression, and we used to sing this song when I was a kid on car rides, so I knew about the hardships and the people from that era from her. But we are so far away from it now that many younger people have no concept of what it was like. Glad to see a little explanation here. 😊
Roger did a lot of country style novelty songs in the 60's & had a lot of hits such as "Dang Me", "Chug-a-Lug", "Do-Wacka-Do", "You Can"t Roller Skate With A Buffalo Herd", "Engine Engine Number 9", "England Swings" etc. He also wrote & performed several of the songs for the 1973 Disney animated film "Robin Hood" such as "Oo-De-Lally ", "Not In Nottingham" & "Whistle Stop".
@dagmar.6954 Hello dagmar glad to see your comment. You always leave such great suggestions.
Oh man. I haven't heard Chug-a-Lug for years now. Time to look it up!
Many interesting titles! Thanks!
Dad had album with these songs..I listened to a LOT as a kid...remember his show too.
@@mialiahh9228
It makes you want to holler hidey ho!
Lots of radio play back in the 60s when it came out. We would see Roger on lots of variety shows. His songs were catchy and easy to sing along to.
Wrote and sang the music for the Disney animated Robin Hood, always loved Not In Nottingham and Ooda-Lolly
Woody Guthrie was the most famous Train Hopper. He was a folk icon.
lol roger miller...i grew up with my mom listening to 45 records of his....good memories...immensely talented...
I was raised on Roger Miller, my dad LOVED him! He has a long list of great songs you'll enjoy.
Me too
It seems like everybody's dad, including mine, loved Roger Miller. Now I love him, too.
Roger Miller was the King of parody songs. Each one was meant for sing-alongs.
"England Swings" is one I've noticed no one mentioned yet. The more you listen to
him, the more you appreciate his artistry. His voice matches anyone in the profession.
Maybe there was a scandal in his life, but I doubt it. He is so unassuming. "Dang Me"
is another one I didn't realize I can recall all the lyrics. Just watched a video where
he does a duo on the violin with Doug Kershaw. Looking up his profile now.
Besides being a genius, Roger Miller was known to give away lines, inciting many Nashville songwriters to follow him around since, according to some, "everything he said was a potential song."
He’s great. Cool song and great voice and character
🎉 “2 hours of pushin’ broom buys a 8’x12’, 4-bit room..” Looong time ago, there was a saying: “2 bits, 4 bits, 6 bits, a dollar.” That meant, a dollar must be worth 8 bits…therefore, a hotel room rented for 50 cents!!! Probably wasn’t a very “nice” place to rest your head…not exactly the Hilton.
Roger Miller was my all-time favorite singer since he first hit the charts in 1965 with this hit. He won 11 Grammies in two years then, and later in the 1980's wrote the Tony award-winning music for the play "Big River", about Huckelberry Finn. He turned Country Music upside down with his brand-new style and quirky lyrics. Although most people remember his novelty songs best, he also wrote many beautiful ballads and was the first to cover and have hits with songs written by others, such as "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Darby's Castle", or the very beautiful "Loving Her Was Easier Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again". Many of his songs are still being covered today. He was a songwriter's songwriter and one of the most beloved members of the Country music community. Just check out Roger Miller on RUclips and you will find a huge catalog. Pick a title that catches your interest. Gail L.
Many interesting titles! Thanks so much for watching and the recommendations
This is why country of the 50s/60s/70s is the best country.
During the War, my then-teenaged father-in-law used to ride the freight trains from Oxford, Mississippi, to the wheat fields of Kansas to work the harvest, then ride on a passenger train back the other way when the harvest was over and he had his pay in hand.
Roger Miller, country singer who crossed over to pop, a great song
Roger was one of the Kings of composition. He wrote goofy & fun stuff (You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd, Dang Me, etc.) King of the Road, Little Toy Trains, and more ( I'm drawing a brain freeze right now) were his "serious" songs. (Everyone wants to classify or "genre" music). He was an extremely respected songwriter and musician by other Nashville songwriters and musicians. He had some demons in his back pocket, but I think cancer was the cause of his death. Whenever I hear his name I always have to smile--he brought laughter to children with his humor.
Thanks for taking the time to share some info and recommendations. Much appreciated.
I love this song so much. Country meets crooner.
Thanks for this reaction. A king of the road is a man free of obligations and responsibility. Enticing!
Very enticing!
Thanks for watching.
I always liked Roger Miller!
One of my favorite song besides "Dang Me " by Roger Miller , is the song "Walking, Talking, Crying, Barely Beating Broken Hart" with the 80's country music band Highway 101
🎊 “Trailers for sale or rent. Rooms to let, 50 cents.” Those lines at the beginning of the song mean he’s reading the “want ads” in a newspaper. (Sometimes “non-Americans” miss these little cultural references, especially from the early “black ‘n’ white” days.)
I love this song, i want Adam Chance from home free to sing this song, he would do so good at it.
Roger was one of a kind ! Randy Travis also had a hit with this tune .
I STILL sing this song occasionally when I’m happy. It’s a feel good song!
A memory that will stay with me forever, lol. I went to an outdoor concert in the 90's. After it was over and everyone was walking to their cars this was playing! His song Dang Me is awesome as well!
Love him! I was in around 6th grade when he had this hit! He always wrote such clever lyrics, only John Prince comes to mind when I think of heart humor etc. RIP, Roger! ❤
"Engine Engine Number 9", also "In The Summertime", "Atta Boy Girl"
Excellent
I associate this song so much with my childhood. My brother used to play it on the piano.
Roger Miller is mostly known for novelty/comedy songs.
I remember when this song came out. It was all over the radio -- rock, country, whatever. A true crossover hit.
LOL, I remember the song on the radio when I was kid, but I was 10 YO at the time. One of the first songs I can remember learning all the verses because it was so cool (maybe because my dad smoked Chesterfields?).
Roger recorded a beautiful cover of Glenn Campbell's song "Less of Me"
Thanks for the recommendation
A real classic there. Haven't heard this in years 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
Saeed, you're picking some very interesting oldies.......thank you. It was one of my Dad's favorites, and I grew up(as a kid) hearing this and some Marty Robbins gunfighter ballads
Love discovering these!
In 1967 Roger Miller came to my college in Missouri and I attended his concert. "King of the Road" was his biggest hit back then. 3 of his other songs were: "Dang Me" and "You Can't Roller skate In a Buffalo Herd" and "England Swings". His lyrics were quirky and fun.
Thats awesome!
Classic Country music was the best.
Marty Robbins - El Paso
Statler Brothers - Counting Flowers on The Wall
Are a few of my favourites.
Thanks for the recommendations! Marty Robbins has been on my list for a while. Need to check out his music.
Another story teller from that time is trucker Red Sovine. A good one to start with is Teddy Bear.
Roger also did "It happened just that way"
My parents had this album. Loved this song. I was a child. The beat was great
I remember listening to this on a vinyl album at my parent’s when I was growing up!❤❤
I was surprised to learn recently that a fine musician I used to know, Bill Kirchen, hopped a few freight trains back in the 1960s. For a fun listen sometime, check out a song called “Hot Rod Lincoln” by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. (Seriously.) Bill supplied the oh-so-hot guitar licks on that 1972 hit.
From my childhood. 😊
Okay, now yer takin' me back to my pre-school years. I learned how to operate my dad's stereo system before I was school age, and he had several Roger Miller albums in amongst his big-band era albums and folk albums. Roger had a ton of great songs, some of them even became hits, as this one did. This particular song is one of only two songs that I can sing from start to finish from memory without butchering the melody out of recognition...in fact, for the last few months it's a song I have been singing to my grandson when picking him up and taking him back home. My goal is for him to always think of his Grandpa K whenever he hears King of the Road or the song Lazy River (I do my best to sound like the original The Mills Brothers' version).
Oh, yah, by the way, The Mills Brothers would be another pretty great rabbit hole to explore. They go back a long way, their earliest hits were in the mid-40s. If you do, I'd suggest Lazy River, or Paper Doll, or The Jones Boy, or their last big hit, a song called Cab Driver.
Amazing song and again memories from long time ago ...
I liked your reaction , thank you Saeed!!
.... and missing your Asaf' reaction 😊
Great song! Thanks for watching, Orly!
I have been so busy with many requests and all the artists. It's hard to balance all of them.
Great singer/songwriter. Roger helped search for the plane crash of Patsy Cline, Hacksaw Hawkins Cowboy Copas, & Randy Hughes. He said it was a terrible site & people were already taking things as souvenirs before the police could secure the area.
Saeed.. love it, this is my karaoke song after a few beers 😂😂🍺🍺 slange...
That is awesome!
#ROGERMILLER
Thanks for doing this request. "Dang Me", "Chug-a-Lug", "Do-Wacka-Do", "You Can"t Roller Skate With A Buffalo Herd", "Engine Engine Number 9", "England Swings" ..take your pick.
Thanks for the recommendations!
Yup! ❤
If you can imagine this being sung with a Scottish accent, then you don't need to check out the Proclaimers cover.😁
I can imagine it with my poor imitation of a Scottish accent 😅
I remember going downtown with my mother, to buy this on 45, when it was on the hit parade. I was 7. We went to the Five and Dime lunch counter afterwards, and had french fries and lime rickey. I probably havent thought of that for 59 years! Dude! 🙂
Musical memory retrieval!
@@SaeedReacts. It's a marvel!
Love him
John Prine cited Roger Miller of one of the influences on Prine's own music.
one of my favorite artist
Kansas City Star, England Swings, Dang Me, and many more. One of a kind.
Thanks for sharing these!
@@SaeedReacts.I would listen to Kacey Musgraves version of Kansas City Star at the same time as Roger Miller's original. It's a great cover and does credit to the original.
You should look up Jody Miller's (no relation) answer song: "Queen Of The House".
He sings, "I'm a man of means by no means," he's saying he's NOT a "man of means." (The character is a rail-riding hobo.)
Thanks for this, Saeed. It always reminds me of my paternal grandfather who jumped trains and worked odd jobs for most of the 1920's after fighting in Europe during WWI.
That sounds like a very interesting person! Thanks for sharing that.
Always loved this song….
my parents generation ... SMOOTH !
Ya want a wild ride ??? check out 40s Big Band
Thanks for the recommendation!
I often like to hear his recording of Little Green Apples. A fun one is his You Can't Rollerskate In A Buffalo Herd.
"Chug-a-Lug" or "Dang me" would be good to check out next
Thanks for the recommendation.
@@SaeedReacts. your welcome , he is one of my all time favorites
Hey Saeed, I was hoping one day you'd find Roger Miller, he has so many good songs! If you ever need a list let me know I'll be happy to help you! "Dang Me" is a great one to start you off!
Hey Deb! Love this performance. Thanks so much for watching and the recommendation!
@@SaeedReacts. You are more than welcome! Thank you for your reply!
Thank you for the heart, I love it!
I like "Dang Me" i think its called, by Roger Miller.
Thanks for the recommendation.
I'll add Marty Robbins - El Paso as a suggestion. I think you'll enjoy. Very good storytelling.
That one is on my to do list!
Old slang some people might not be familiar with - four bits = 50¢. So the four bit room is the one that was advertised for fifty cents earlier in the verse. When I was younger I kept mishearing it as a "four bed room" and I assumed they wedged four bunks into an 8 x 12 foot room 😂.
Learned something new today 😄
You're hearing an acoustic upright bass, yet on the TV video the guy is playing an electric bass. the record has been superimposed over the video soundtrack. Roger was quite a comedian with his songs.
Thanks for letting me know about that!
The Randy Travis and Josh Turner duet of this song is a MUST. NO ONE BEATS RANDY TRAVIS
Knew girl named Jenny Ho had sister named 2 Bit
Im 74 Bobby got me plenty of girl friends in 2 years. Girls went into trances. You had to see it to believe it.
I loved this song as a young child. Had all the words memorized.
If you want to be amazed check FRANK Sinatra It was A Very Good Year ,in the studio live.
I do believe i know that song, because it was used in The Sopranos. Or at least a part of it. Thanks for the recommendation!
React to George Carlin Modern Man also advertising
Love that bit! Been thinking about checking out comedy, but maybe on a different channel.
Talent Scout says You're pretty good, son, but can you deliver a country song like you were Frank Sinatra?
Roger Miller says OK, how about this...
React to I'm a nut
Hotels haven’t been .50 cants since the 1900., 1940’s was $3 a night, he’s a hobo. He’s like me my wife wants hotel rooms for over $200. The lat one I got a couple years ago was $27. Obviously she won’t even drive by any hotel I get. No im not King of the road I’m just a cheap ba$+ard
Ironically, another good story song that involves water is " the lighthouses tale" by NickelCreek. You should check it out
Knew girl named Jenny Ho had sister named 2 Bit