King of the Road - The Proclaimers

When I was young, I discovered the coolness of Roger Miller singing 'King of the Road'. I also believed I was cool because I sang along while using an old electric shaver as a microphone. I wonder how many different illnesses I caught after holding that thing so close to my mouth.

Miller recorded the song in 1965, and it hit number one on the US Country and UK Singles charts, while also hitting an impressive number four on the US Singles chart.



Charlie and Craig Reid, best know to you and I as The Proclaimers, released the EP 'King of the Road' in 1990, just two years after releasing 'Sunshine on Leith', the album which contained their breakthrough hit 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)'. Interestingly enough, that song didn't become a hit until 5 years later, after it's inclusion on the Benny & Joon soundtrack.

In 2001, 'Sunshine on Leith' was re-released in the US with the entire 'King of the Road' EP tacked on to the end.