King Of The Road chords
by Roger Miller
Original Published Key: Bb Major with a key change to B Major
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: 120 bpm
Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e
Skill Level: Intermediate 🟠
Guitar Chords: Bb, Eb, F7 → B, E, F#7
Arrangement details & helpful tips for beginners
Play-Along Video & Chord Charts
King Of The Road
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
Bb Eb F7 F7
Intro: 4/4 ‖ (Bass Run) | | | | ‖
Bb Eb F7 Bb
1. Trailers for sale or rent Rooms to let fif-ty cents
Bb Eb F7
No phone no pool no pets I aint got no ci-ga-rettes (Ah but)
Bb Eb F7 Bb
2. Two hours of pushing broom Buys a eight by twelve four-bit room
Bb Eb F7 Bb
I'm a man of means by no means King Of The Road
Bb Eb F7 Bb
3. Third box-car mid-night train Des-ti-na-tion Ban-gor, Maine.
Bb Eb F7
Old worn-out suit and shoes I don't pay no un-ion dues
Bb Eb F7 Bb
4. I smoke old sto-gies I have found Short but not too big a-round
Bb Eb F7 Bb
I'm a man of means by no means King Of The Road (I Know)
Key Change:
B E
Bridge: I Know ev-'ry en-gi-neer on ev-e-ry train
F#7 B
All of the chil-dren and all of their names
B E
And ev-er-y hand-out in ev-er-y town
F#7
And ev-'ry lock that ain't locked when no one's a-round (I sing)
B E F#7 B
5. Trailers for sale or rent Rooms to let fif-ty cents
B E F#7
No phone no pool no pets I aint got no ci-ga-rettes (Ah but)
B E F#7 B
6. Two hours of push-ing broom Buys a eight by twelve four-bit room
B7 E F#7 B
I'm a man of means by no means King Of The Road
B E F#7 B
7. Trailers for sale or rent Rooms to let fif-ty cents
B E F#7
No phone no pool no pets I aint got no ci-ga-rettes (Ah but)
B E F#7 B
8. Two hours of pushing broom Buys an eight by twelve four-bit room
B7 E F#7 B
I'm a man of means by no means King Of The Road ...Arrangement Details:
- Key Signature: Bb Major with a key change to B Major:
Bb Major: 3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab)
B Major - 5 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#) - Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
- Tempo: Moderately
- Metronome: ♩ = 120
- Voice Range: A3 - F#5
Beginners:
This song is considered Intermediate as most of the chords are typically played as barre chords. However, there are some easier options you may like to try.
The chord charts include open chord voicings for all chords which beginners can try. The most challenging chord is Eb. Both voicings require a fair stretch, however there is an easy alternative which you will use time and time again. Simply play a D chord shape starting on the 3rd fret, instead of the 2nd fret (1 fret up from D Major), and only play the top 3 strings like so:
Eb: Eb-G-Bb 🎸 Frets Notes Fingers e|---3--- ← G 2nd B|---4--- ← Eb 3rd G|---3--- ← Bb 1st D|---X--- A|---X--- E|---X---
You are still playing an Eb Major chord except you are not leading with the Root note or Tonic—it is the 2nd inversion of Eb Major and sound fine.
If you are not playing along with the video, and don't implement the key change, there are a number of keys beginners will find very easy:
C Major: C, F G7
D Major: D, G, A7
E Major: E, A, B7
G Major: G, C, D7
A Major: A, D, E7
Song Details:
- Songwriter: Roger Miller
- Date: 1964
- Lyrics Begin: Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let, fifty cents.
- Genre: Country
- Featured Artist: Roger Miller
- Single:
Recorded: November 3, 1964
Released: January 1965
B-side: Atta Boy Girl - Album: The Return of Roger Miller
Recorded: 1964–65
Released: 1965
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