☝️ Key Points
- The song describes the life of a man who travels in a caravan.
- The man earns a living by taking on various jobs.
- The lyrics emphasize the simplicity and contentment of the man with his modest life.
- The song expresses the freedom and independence that the man experiences on his journey.
- It is about the experiences and proud life of a man who lives his life in his own way.
Interpretation
"King of the Road" by
Elvis Presley is a song that describes the lifestyle of a traveling man. He lives in a trailer and earns his money by taking on various jobs. The song expresses the freedom and independence that the man experiences on his journey.
The lyrics begin with the description of the trailer, which is up for sale or rent. The modest life in the trailer is emphasized, as there is no phone connection, pool, or pets, and the man has no cigarettes. Nevertheless, he is content with what he has.
The lyrics continue to describe how the man takes on jobs to make a living. He pushes a broom to buy himself a small room. It emphasizes that while he is a man with means, he is by no means the king of the road.
The lyrics also mention the man's travels on an old train. He mentions the destination of the journey as Bangor, Maine. He owns worn-out suits and shoes and doesn't pay union dues. He smokes old cigars he has found. Although he doesn't have much, he is content with his life.
The chorus of the song repeats the description of the trailer and emphasizes that while he doesn't have luxury goods, he is still a man with means.
Overall, "King of the Road" is about the experiences and proud life of a man who is on the move and living life on his own terms. It's about the freedom of being on the roads and the simplicity of life without material wealth.