Queen of the House

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"Queen of the House"
Jody Miller--Queen of the House.jpg
Single by Jody Miller
from the album Queen of the House
B-side "The Greatest Actor"
ReleasedApril 1965 (1965-04)
RecordedMarch 1965 (1965-03)
Studio Capitol Studios
Genre Country pop [1]
Length2:18
Label Capitol
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Steve Douglas
Jody Miller singles chronology
"Never Let Him Go"
(1965)
"Queen of the House"
(1965)
"Silver Threads and Golden Needles"
(1965)

"Queen of the House" is a song originally recorded and made commercially successful by American singer Jody Miller. It was an answer song to Roger Miller's "King of the Road". It featured lyrics written by Mary Taylor, with credit also given to Roger Miller. The song describes the day-to-day domestic duties of a housewife. It was released as a single on the coattails of "King of the Road"'s success, becoming a crossover single on the country, pop and adult contemporary charts. It led to Miller becoming the second female artist to win a country music Grammy award. An album of the same name appeared in 1965, which also featured the single.

Contents

Background and composition

In 1965, Roger Miller recorded his self-penned song called "King of the Road". It described the lifestyle of a hobo and it became a number one country song and top five pop song. It would become one of his signature tunes and would be recorded by many other artists. In its wake would come an answer song called "Queen of the House". [2] Answer songs were songs written in reply (or response) to another song made popular by another artist. [3]

"Queen of the House" described a housewives domestic duties, including taking care of four children, dirty floors and bathtubs. [4] [5] Mary Taylor was a singer–songwriter signed to Capitol Records at the time. After hearing "King of the Road", she composed "Queen of the House". A friend of Roger Miller's, Taylor called Miller on the phone after composing it. Miller insisted that she cut the song herself, but she was unable to because she already had a single out on the national charts. [6]

Recording

Mary Taylor's producer brought the song to the attention of Jody Miller's producer, Steve Douglas. Douglas had not achieved much production success and was encouraged to cut the track with Jody Miller (no relation to Roger Miller). [6] Up to that point, Jody Miller had been a folk artist at the Capitol label. She had one single make the American pop charts called "He Walks Like a Man". However, it was only a minor success and she had yet to achieve stardom. [7] At first, [Jody] Miller did not believe the song was right for her. Its characteristic finger snaps evoked the jazz style of singer Peggy Lee (who was also at Capitol). However, she eventually succumb to recording the song. [6] "Queen of the House" was recorded by Miller at Capitol Studios, located in Hollywood, California. The session was held in March 1965, with Steve Douglas producing the track. [8]

Release and chart performance

"Queen of the House" was released as a seven-inch vinyl single by Capitol Records in April 1965. The North American version included "The Greatest Actor" on its B-side". Equal credit was given to Roger Miller and Mary Taylor for the song's composition. [8] According to Jody Miller, "Queen of the House" received "instant airplay" from radio stations and the record could not be made "fast enough". [9] The song climbed to the number 12 position on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart, her highest peak on that chart in her career. [10] It became her first single to make the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, climbing to the number five position there. [11] It also reached number four on the Billboard adult contemporary charts. [12] The single was included on Miller's second studio album which was also titled Queen of the House . [13]

The country crossover success of "Queen of the House" led to a new career path for Miller. [14] She would end up recording as a country artist as the decade progressed, having success at Epic Records in the 1970s with several more popular country songs. [6] Miller's recording led to her winning Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the 8th Annual Grammy Awards in 1966. [9] The same night, Roger Miller took home five Grammy awards, including two for "King of the Road". [2]

Track listing

7" vinyl single (North America) [8]

7" vinyl single (Greece) [15]

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Queen of the House"
Chart (1965)Peak
position
Australia ( Kent Music Report ) [16] 68
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [17] 4
US Billboard Hot 100 [18] 12
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [19] 5

Accolades

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
1966 8th Annual Grammy Awards Best Country Vocal Performance, Female Won [20]

Related Research Articles

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jody Miller</span> American singer (1941–2022)

Myrna Joy "Jody" Miller was an American singer, who had commercial success in the genres of country, folk and pop. She was the second female artist to win a country music accolade from the Grammy Awards, which came off the success of her 1965 song "Queen of the House". By blending multiple genres together, Miller's music was considered influential for other music artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King of the Road (song)</span> 1965 single by Roger Miller

"King of the Road" is a song written by country singer Roger Miller, who first recorded it in November 1964. The lyrics tell of the day-to-day life of a traveling hobo who, despite having little money, revels in his freedom, describing himself humorously and cynically as the "king of the road". It was Miller's fifth single for Smash Records. The song won Miller 5 Grammy Awards in 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jody Miller discography</span>

The discography of American singer Jody Miller contains 21 studio albums, five compilation albums, one video album, one album appearance, one extended play (EP) and 57 singles. Of her 57 singles, 47 were issued with Miller as the lead artist, two were released as a collaboration, two were promotional singles and five were internationally-released singles.

<i>Wanda Jackson Sings Country Songs</i> 1965 studio album by Wanda Jackson

Wanda Jackson Sings Country Songs is a studio album by American recording artist Wanda Jackson. It was released in December 1965 via Capitol Records and contained 12 tracks. The album was Jackson's eighth studio record of her career and consisted of traditional country songs. Seven of these songs were released as singles between 1961 and 1965. Both "Slippin'" and "The Violet and the Rose" reached charting positions on the American country songs survey. The album received a positive review following its original release.

<i>Queen of the House</i> (album) 1965 studio album by Jody Miller

Queen of the House is a studio album by American singer Jody Miller. It was released in June 1965 via Capitol Records and contained 12 tracks. It was named for the title track, which became a top 20 single on the pop charts and a top ten single on the country charts. The remaining tracks were mostly covers of popular songs from the era. Queen of the House was met with positive reviews since its release. The album itself would also make both the American country and pop charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Home of the Brave (song)</span> 1965 single by Jody Miller

"Home of the Brave" is a song recorded and made successful by American singer Jody Miller. It was composed by songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Released as a single by Capitol Records in 1965, "Home of the Brave" reached the pop charts in the United States, Canada and Australia. It was characterized as a protest song for its discussion of social issues during the sixties decade. It was among Miller's most commercially successful recordings in her career despite being banned from radio stations. "Home of the Brave" was released on an album of the same name in 1965.

<i>Home of the Brave</i> (album) Studio album by American singer Jody Miller

Home of the Brave is a studio album by American singer Jody Miller. It was released in October 1965 via Capitol Records and contained 11 tracks. The material mixed pop with country songs. Its title track reached the pop charts in several countries including Australia, Canada and the United States. The disc was Miller's third studio album in her career and received a positive review from Billboard following its release.

<i>Jody Miller Sings the Great Hits of Buck Owens</i> 1966 studio album by Jody Miller

Jody Miller Sings the Great Hits of Buck Owens is a studio album by American singer Jody Miller. It was released in March 1966 via Capitol Records and contained 12 tracks. The album was a collection of songs originally recorded and made successful by country singer–songwriter Buck Owens. It was the fourth studio album in Miller's career and received a positive response from Billboard magazine in 1966.

<i>The Nashville Sound of Jody Miller</i> 1968 studio album by Jody Miller

The Nashville Sound of Jody Miller is a studio album by American singer Jody Miller. It was released in November 1968 via Capitol Records and contained 12 tracks. The album was Miller's second to complete feature country material and her first to be recorded in Nashville, Tennessee. Of its two singles, Miller's interpretation of "Long Black Limousine" made the American country chart. The album itself also charted on the American country LP's chart in 1968. It was met with a favorable review from Billboard magazine in 1968.

<i>Look at Mine</i> 1970 studio album by Jody Miller

Look at Mine is a studio album by American singer Jody Miller. It was released in December 1970 via Epic Records and contained 11 tracks. It was the sixth studio album of Miller's career and her first to be marketed for the country music market. Its tracks were covers and new material. Two singles were featured on the disc: the title track and "If You Think I Love You Now ". The songs reached top 40 positions on the North American country charts. Look at Mine received a negative review from AllMusic.

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<i>Hes So Fine</i> (album) 1971 studio album by Jody Miller

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References

  1. ""Queen of the House": Jody Miller: Track Info". AllMusic . Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  2. 1 2 Ruhlmann, William. ""King of the Road" by Roger Miller: Track Info". AllMusic . Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  3. Curtis, James M. (1987). Rock Eras: Interpretations of Music and Society, 1954-1984. Bowling Green State University Popular Press. p. 88. ISBN   9780879723699 . Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  4. Shanahan, Ed (October 26, 2022). "Jody Miller, Singer of 'Queen of the House' and More, Dies at 80". The New York Times . Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  5. Stevenson, Jack (2003). Land of a Thousand Balconies Discoveries and Confessions of a B-movie Archaeologist. Headpress. p. 39. ISBN   978-1900486231.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Moore, Addie (September 4, 2018). "'Queen of the House' Singer Jody Miller Discusses Her Unlikely Climb to Country Stardom". Wide Open Country. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  7. Brennan, Sandra. "Jody Miller Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 Miller, Jody (April 1965). ""Queen of the House"/"The Greatest Actor" (7" vinyl single and sleeve notes)". Capitol Records . 5402.
  9. 1 2 McDonnell, Brandy (October 6, 2022). "'Hometown girl' Jody Miller, one of Oklahoma's first Grammy winners, dies". The Oklahoman . Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  10. Whitburn, Joel (2011). Top Pop Singles 1955–2010. Record Research, Inc. p. 605. ISBN   978-0-89820-188-8.
  11. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 277. ISBN   978-0-89820-177-2.
  12. Whitburn, Joel (2007). Joel Whitburn Presents Billboard Top Adult Songs, 1961-2006. Record Research, Inc. p. 309. ISBN   978-0898201697.
  13. Miller, Jody (April 1965). " Queen of the House (Disc Information)". Capitol Records . ST-2349 (LP).
  14. "'Queen of the House' singer Jody Miller dies at age 80". Associated Press . October 6, 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  15. Miller, Jody (1965). ""Queen of the House"/"Home of the Brave" (7" vinyl single and sleeve notes)". Capitol Records . CG-52 (Greece).
  16. David Kent (1993). Australian Charts Book 1970—1992. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN   978-0-646-11917-5.
  17. "Jody Miller Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  18. "Jody Miller Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  19. "Jody Miller Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  20. "Jody Miller: Artist". Grammy Awards . Retrieved 16 April 2023.