TT 533: Roger Miller's Structural Stutter

The bard of the drunken hobo: Approach the approach

While Roger Miller is nominally filed under “Country and Western,” his sophisticated down-and-out novelty songs from the 1960’s are essentially their own singular genre. Miller seems particularly suited to the streaming era: Someone can say, “Did you ever hear ‘King of the Road?’” and the whole party is suddenly placed under a fresh spell. This music couldn’t be more direct or more fun.

Many of Miller’s lyrics feature the same word twice in uncomfortably close proximity. At first this move sounds like a mistake—almost a stutter—but it is all part of the grand design.

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Three and a half stuttering stutters:

“King of the Road,” in the consistent refrain: “means by no means.”

I'm a man of means by no means
King of the road

“Chug-a-Lug,” in second verse, “uncovered a covered-up.”

4-H and FFA
On a field trip to the farm
Me and a friend sneak off behind
This big old barn where we uncovered a covered-up moonshine still

There are two in “Dang Me,” in the refrain, “high from the highest,” and in one of the verses, “bought, and I bought.” (The second one only counts as a half, for a stutter on “bought” is common enough.)

Dang me, dang me
They oughta take a rope and hang me
High from the highest tree
Woman, would you weep for me?

(…)

Just sittin' around drinkin' with the rest of the guys
Six rounds bought, and I bought five
And I spent the groceries and half the rent
Like 14 dollars and 27 cents

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The structural stutter helps ensure that the audience stutters as well: As soon as you are done listening once, you play the track again.

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Footnotes:

1. (Talking to Billy Hart.) “Hey Billy, you know who Roger Miller is?” “Of course, I know exactly who Roger Miller is.” “Right. Well, I realized last night that ‘Chug-a-lug, Chug-a-lug’’ is the jazz ride cymbal beat.” (Billy Hart bursts out laughing.)

2. The fabulous jazz bass intro on “King of the Road” is by Bob Moore, a prolific Nashville session musician heard on some 17,000 (?!) sessions.

3. Roger Miller is miming to his recording of “Dang Me” for the television appearance, but the comedic visual of the bluesy guitar hook is notable.

4. Ex-drinkers like to listen to these drinking songs while smiling and regretting. Be eight years come September; if anyone is considering quitting, come on in, the water’s fine. It’s great never waking up with a hangover.

5. American music! Happy Fourth of July.