Queen of the House

"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.

"Queen of the House"
Single by Jody Miller
from the album Queen of the House
B-side"The Greatest Actor"
ReleasedApril 1965 (1965-04)
RecordedMarch 1965 (1965-03)
StudioCapitol Studios
GenreCountry pop[1]
Length2:18
LabelCapitol
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)

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" lead 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 seventies 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]

  • "Queen of the House" – 2:18
  • "The Greatest Actor" – 2:30

7" vinyl single (Greece)[15]

  • "Queen of the House" – 2:18
  • "Home of the Brave" – 2:50

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
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1966 8th Annual Grammy Awards Best Country Vocal Performance, Female Won [20]

References
  1. ""Queen of the House": Jody Miller: Track Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  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. 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. Miller, Jody (April 1965). ""Queen of the House"/"The Greatest Actor" (7" vinyl single and sleeve notes)". Capitol Records. 5402.
  9. 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.
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