“King of the Road” debuted in January 1965 under Smash Records, a subsidiary of Mercury Records, which fostered the careers of renowned artists such as Frankie Valli, James Brown, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of a hobo’s daily life, offering a modern portrayal of a migrant worker in rural areas. Despite financial constraints, the protagonist embraces his freedom with a touch of humor and cynicism.
Like its predecessor, the song hit No. 5 on the Hot Country Singles Chart, No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, and even took home a Grammy for Female Country Vocal Performance at the 1966 Grammy Awards.
And 58 years since it was released, we still can’t help but groove on the song when it is played on the radio – talk about longevity and impact!
