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Roger McGuinn — King Of The Hill
Album: Back From Rio
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1364









Released: 1991
Length: 5:17
Plays (last 30 days): 1
L.A.'s asleep - you roll up your window
The night air is cold - the freeway is clear.
In a green Gucci bag - are you prized possessions
The jewels of your mind - to hold back the fear.

And when Monday comes round - there's a high lonesome sound
And she follows you down for the kill.
And a while blinding light - makes it all seem so right
And you feel like the king of the hill.

The driveway is long - your princess is lovely
Your servants all wait - for your knock on the door.
How many years - will you crawl through this castle
So satisfied - and still wanting more.

And when Monday comes round - there's a high lonesome sound
And she follows you down for the kill.
And a while blinding light - makes it all seem so right
And you feel like the king of the hill.

The guests have arrived - with all the right faces
But you miss the ball - in that room down the hall.
It's sunrise again - the driveway is empty
The crystal is cracked - there's blood on the wall.

And when Monday comes round - there's a high lonesome sound
And she follows you down for the kill.
And a while blinding light - makes it all seem so right
And you feel like the king of the hill.
Comments (161)add comment
Absolutely wonderfully enjoyable :)
 yofitofu wrote:

I hear a lot of Tom Petty in this.



Maybe because he sings half the lyrics?
Just saw Roger McGuinn last Tuesday here in California. He's on a short tour (about a month), and his storytelling skills are amazing, as is his musicianship, Go see him if you have a chance. 
 Relayer wrote:

Sad that we lost Tom Petty before Roger.  Love both artists.  Now that I think about it, not many left in The Travelling Willburys anymore.  Just Jeff and Bob.




"Sad that we lost Tom Petty before Roger"? What think Roger about that?
"Sad that we lost Tom Petty." It's seem enough to me.
I heard this song and have regret "why i don't have this record", then i looked in my discothèque, and hosannah ! I forgot that i get it with a different sleeve record. Welcome to hours of listening to this fabulous song.
 yofitofu wrote:

I hear a lot of Tom Petty in this.



So I guess in Reality you hear Roger McGuinn on many Petty Tunes...... 
One of my favorite RP songs. Amazing guitar sounds, incredible vocal harmonies, but Yikes! those lyrics! Pretty somber description of a drug addiction and how the user suffers "as she follows you down for the kill...". But then, isn't that what makes songs like this so irresistible?

Dennis G
 xerces wrote:

Wow, this started as a 7, then an 8 and its a solid 9. Sofakinggood!



So a coworker of mine who was born/raised in Mexico played a joke in a staff meeting years back. The managers couldn't agree and things were getting heated. Knowing he had a thick accent, the coworker says "hey guys, we just need to take some deep breaths and focus". Horrified stares all around the table. He digs in "just focus, focus". Just FUKus, FUKus. 

Loving that work story, even my straight-laced parents rarely seem to miss an opportunity to embellish that word with its proper accent.
Wow, this started as a 7, then an 8 and its a solid 9. Sofakinggood!
Tom Petty joined McGuinn in writing and performing this song, which was released as a single and video.

Petty's affinity for singing like McGuinn had been well documented and this song offers a fascinating example of the two soundalikes trading verses.

For the non-initiated, it may be hard to tell where McGuinn ends and Petty begins.
Tom Petty and Roger sure have very similar styles
 yofitofu wrote:
I hear a lot of Tom Petty in this.
 
"written together with and featuring...Tom Petty." 
So Tom Petty was trying to sing like Roger McGuinn all those years!
Pure 10. No, make that 11.
Lots of comments being really Petty about the vocals
Reminds me a bit of a song by the Flower Kings
Listening blind, I got Tom Petty with the Waterboys!
 AhhtheMusic wrote:
Wow, just wow.  Roger McGuinn and there it is, couldn't miss Mr. Tom's unusual voice.  I wish I could have seen these two together.  What beauty.  Classic individuals and artists.  Just wow.  Thank you for playing this, I had never heard it before, and it just touches my heart.
 In 1997 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers took over the Fillmore in San Francisco for a month. They called themselves the "Bar Band". Every night they had a different opening act. When I took my 8 year old daughter Molly, and she was right at Tom's feet looking up at him and dancing the whole show, Taj Mahal was the  opening act. Another time I went Roger/Jim McGuinn opened up with a wonderful set of Byrds and solo music. Unlike Taj and other opening acts, Roger remained onstage and played with Tom and the Heartbreakers. It was a wonderful and rare opportunity to see Tom P play with Roger, who was one of the biggest influences on Tom's music.
 Relayer wrote:
Sad that we lost Tom Petty before Roger.  Love both artists.  Now that I think about it, not many left in The Travelling Willburys anymore.  Just Jeff and Bob.
 
Roger may not agree.
There was a glitch - I heard a Silver Spun Pickups song ...
The High Lonesome Sound is one of the best, most evocative images for music - ever.

  
Nice song. Until we hear Petty. Pity.
So Tom recorded "Feel a Whole Lot Better" in 1989.  (Byrds 1965)
This was 1991. I guess Tom and Roger had some mutual admiration or at least
recognized they like the same groove.  
Roger plus Tom = sublime harmony.
 yofitofu wrote:
 
 
Tom is on this cut.
 Relayer wrote:
Sad that we lost Tom Petty before Roger.  Love both artists.  Now that I think about it, not many left in The Travelling Willburys anymore.  Just Jeff and Bob.
 
Of course some people think bob is dead, just nobody told him:)
I hear a lot of Tom Petty in this.
... and the moral of the story is "never let Tom sit in on a song unless you want people to think it's a Tom Petty song."
 yagermeister wrote:
Seriously thought this was Tom Petty
 
Seriously - it is.

Sad that we lost Tom Petty before Roger.  Love both artists.  Now that I think about it, not many left in The Travelling Willburys anymore.  Just Jeff and Bob.
Bump. 7 > 8. 
That's royalty rock and roll singing and playing. 
 AhhtheMusic wrote:
Wow, just wow.  Roger McGuinn and there it is, couldn't miss Mr. Tom's unusual voice.  I wish I could have seen these two together.  What beauty.  Classic individuals and artists.  Just wow.  Thank you for playing this, I had never heard it before, and it just touches my heart.
 

 PopKombo wrote:
I don't know who this guy is ... but he is sure ripping of Tom Petty ...
 

That's funny.
Wow, just wow.  Roger McGuinn and there it is, couldn't miss Mr. Tom's unusual voice.  I wish I could have seen these two together.  What beauty.  Classic individuals and artists.  Just wow.  Thank you for playing this, I had never heard it before, and it just touches my heart.
 DocStrangelove wrote:
how can this not be Tom?

{#Bananajam}

 
They're both singing on this one.
how can this not be Tom?

{#Bananajam}
In 1987 Roger McGuinn was the opening act for Dylan and Tom Petty. In 1991, he released his comeback solo album, Back from Rio, to successful acclaim. It included the hit single "King of the Hill," written together with, and featuring, Petty.
Seriously thought this was Tom Petty
Riding the Surfliner on the way to LA this beautiful west coast Sunday morning.  Music making the trip even more spectacularly enjoyable.  Bob, Joni, Elvis, and now Roger making me feel like I'm the king of the Hill.  Thanks, Bill&Becca-  awesome soundtrack to this trip.
Outstanding.
Haven't heard this in years - thanks Bill.
In college I got to see Roger perform much of this album live when it was released in Orlando (where he happened to live).  It was so great to see such a legend live in a small venue, especially for a 18 year old classic rock fan (in 1991).  

Wow. That was a long time ago.
 bam23 wrote:

Still, I must question what this observation has to do with this piece. So, you have a short attention span and get annoyed easily. Sorry to hear of this.

 
Pity if there's a rule that I've missed that says comments must be strictly about the song - I kinda like the bits of related information (related to the song, related to the Artist(s) etc.) that I find on these pages.
 Fiji5555 wrote:
Not a fan of McGuinn, used to enjoy listening to the Byrds long ago.  Had the misfortune of seeing part of a one man show featuring McGuinn. He spent all the time between songs name dropping and bragging. I got up and left after three songs.

 
Still, I must question what this observation has to do with this piece. So, you have a short attention span and get annoyed easily. Sorry to hear of this.
McGuinn and Petty sound GREAT together. I've been hearing this on RP for awhile  - but always thought it was on a recent TP album
Not a fan of McGuinn, used to enjoy listening to the Byrds long ago.  Had the misfortune of seeing part of a one man show featuring McGuinn. He spent all the time between songs name dropping and bragging. I got up and left after three songs.
 leafmold wrote:
Pretty damn sure that McGuinn and Petty are singing together on this song, even though it's billed to McGuinn on RP. Makes total sense, of course.

 
Yes, apparently Petty and The Heartbreakers play on this album (in addition to several other well-known artists).  I believe Petty shares co-writing credits for this tune.
Pretty damn sure that McGuinn and Petty are singing together on this song, even though it's billed to McGuinn on RP. Makes total sense, of course.
Tom!!!?
 
A great talent who mastered collaboration.  One could argue that he makes those around him better. Ironically, this attribute may explain why he is not as heralded as he should  be.  
 rharvey658 wrote:
This sounds so much like McGuinn singing like Petty, sounding like the Byrds, playing like the Heartbreakers, sounding like McGuinn...
Like it!  Of course I'm a Petty fan and a Byrds fan...what's not to like!

 
Yes, exactly. I came here to say the same thing. Wouldn't surprise if Roger admitted that he was beginning to borrow from Tom. Maybe they should get married and have kids.   

{#Group-hug} 
 Krispian wrote:

You are so right!

 
Definitely {#Bananajam}{#Motor}
 rharvey658 wrote:
This sounds so much like McGuinn singing like Petty, sounding like the Byrds, playing like the Heartbreakers, sounding like McGuinn...
Like it!  Of course I'm a Petty fan and a Byrds fan...what's not to like!

 
You are so right!
This sounds so much like McGuinn singing like Petty, sounding like the Byrds, playing like the Heartbreakers, sounding like McGuinn...
Like it!  Of course I'm a Petty fan and a Byrds fan...what's not to like!
Perfection.
Nice twist, isn't it?

Hannio wrote:




Lucky Kleinschmidt (voiced by Tom Petty).  He won a $53,000 settlement.  He'll never have to work again.


 


I'm really digging this, never heard the album.  May have to dig it up some day.  
Ahhhhh...those beautiful harmonies.
yes,  it was a joke  I grew up with the Byrds and Roger McGuinn . . . and the jingly jangly 12 string sound that Tom likes so much
 Proclivities wrote:

I'm pretty sure PopKombo was making a joke; you apparently missed that by about 180°.  Anyhow, both artists were more-than-obviously influenced by the guy who happened to write the "song called 'Mr. Tambourine Man'".

 

and I think to myself..."Why can't we all just get along?"  ;)
 PopKombo wrote:
I don't know who this guy is ... but he is sure ripping of Tom Petty ...



 bh1 wrote:

Ripping off Tom Petty? EXCUSE ME! NOT! If anything it is the other way around. Petty freely credits Roger McGuinn as a major influence and the reason he plays a 12 string Rickenbacker!  Ever hear of a song called Mr Tambourine Man? Or a group called the Byrds (which also included a pre CSN David Crosby)?
BTW, this song is a duet with guess who? TOM PETTY, who also plays and provides backing vocals on the album.

Not to pick on you, you did spot the similarity, but getting it 180 degrees off is kind of funny. 

 
I'm pretty sure PopKombo was making a joke; you apparently missed that by about 180°.  Anyhow, both artists were more-than-obviously influenced by the guy who happened to write the "song called 'Mr. Tambourine Man'".
 michaelc wrote:

maybe because tom was on the album.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_from_Rio

 
Wow, also David Crosby, Chris Hillman, and Elvis Costello (writing and/or singing).
On first glance, I saw Roger Wittiker 'King of the Road' {#Beat}
 winbornes wrote:
Anyone catch a touch of Tom Pettyand the Heartbreakers?
 
maybe because tom was on the album.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_from_Rio
Anyone catch a touch of Tom Pettyand the Heartbreakers?
 unclehud wrote:
I read the liner notes to an old Chad Mitchell Trio album last week, and the guitar player was ... Roger McGuinn!  Small world, eh?

 
Yeah, except at the time he was going by the handle Jim McGuinn.  He also backed Judy Collins and other folk-era biggies using that (his original) name.  Some guru told him he'd do better if he changed his name to Roger, so ...
I recall this whole album being quite good. I think I will have to dig out the album and see if the turn table still works.
Been a fan of the voice and guitar forever.  Even had to own a Ricky-12 back in the late 60's.
 bh1 wrote:

Ripping off Tom Petty? EXCUSE ME! NOT! If anything it is the other way around. Petty freely credits Roger McGuinn as a major influence and the reason he plays a 12 string Rickenbacker!  Ever hear of a song called Mr Tambourine Man? Or a group called the Byrds (which also included a pre CSN David Crosby)?
BTW, this song is a duet with guess who? TOM PETTY, who also plays and provides backing vocals on the album.

Not to pick on you, you did spot the similarity, but getting it 180 degrees off is kind of funny. 
 
Well said! By the way, the 12 string Rickenbacker is one of the greatest creations of the human race. {#Guitarist}
 PopKombo wrote:
I don't know who this guy is ... but he is sure ripping of Tom Petty ...
 
Ripping off Tom Petty? EXCUSE ME! NOT! If anything it is the other way around. Petty freely credits Roger McGuinn as a major influence and the reason he plays a 12 string Rickenbacker!  Ever hear of a song called Mr Tambourine Man? Or a group called the Byrds (which also included a pre CSN David Crosby)?
BTW, this song is a duet with guess who? TOM PETTY, who also plays and provides backing vocals on the album.

Not to pick on you, you did spot the similarity, but getting it 180 degrees off is kind of funny. 
Excellent album... great to hear this here!
 to_the_eleven wrote:
"Everything"? nope not buying it.  This song has a lot more going for it than "Mr. Spaceman","Chestnut Mare"...

KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

Everything else is fantastic.

You really should have known.

 
I did forget the Stephen Foster cover. {#Mrgreen}
Which is the best version of "Oh Susanna" ever.

Besides, if all they ever did was this...



they'd be the best band ever.

I don't know who this guy is ... but he is sure ripping of Tom Petty ...
remember playing this on the air... unfortunately, it didn't stay in the playlist too long. Good tune
"Everything"? nope not buying it.  This song has a lot more going for it than "Mr. Spaceman","Chestnut Mare"...

KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

Everything else is fantastic.

You really should have known.




 to_the_eleven wrote:
So other than those 11 which ones should we go listen to?

KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

I think they did a total of about 9 Bob covers, a Pete Seeger/ Ecclesiastes one, a Gerry Goffin/ Carol King one and a few other covers. Out of over a hundred songs, I think your observation is a little off.
It just so happens all you hear from the Byrds, on any FM broadcast, is the couple of Dylan covers.
You really should have known.

 
Everything else is fantastic.

You really should have known.

Geez, I actually have this CD.  Haven't listened to it since I got it.  Gonna have to go drag it out again.
Love this song and haven't heard it in forever.  Suddenly it's 20 years ago and I'm just finishing college on a bright sunny day, even in the dead of winter. 

This album is a gem.  I have it on casette without liner notes.  Isn't David Crosby on this too? Cynaera wrote:
This entire CD (with a couple of rather saccharine exceptions) is just fantastic.  I love the title cut, and the morbid/funny/paranoid "Car Phone."{#Sunny}
 


I read the liner notes to an old Chad Mitchell Trio album last week, and the guitar player was ... Roger McGuinn!  Small world, eh?
I think this is the sound Tom Petty was shooting for.....
Frozen slush outside but I still love this song ! {#Confused}
 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

I think they did a total of about 9 Bob covers, a Pete Seeger/ Ecclesiastes one, a Gerry Goffin/ Carol King one and a few other covers. Out of over a hundred songs, I think your observation is a little off.
It just so happens all you hear from the Byrds, on any FM broadcast, is the couple of Dylan covers.
You really should have known.
 
Sarcasm doesn't always translate well when written out.  The way you interpret, you're correct in your assessment.
So other than those 11 which ones should we go listen to?

KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

I think they did a total of about 9 Bob covers, a Pete Seeger/ Ecclesiastes one, a Gerry Goffin/ Carol King one and a few other covers. Out of over a hundred songs, I think your observation is a little off.
It just so happens all you hear from the Byrds, on any FM broadcast, is the couple of Dylan covers.
You really should have known.



One of my Fav McGuinn tunes...
This is one of those timeless songs that will always sound good to me on a warm summer day. I know, it's not even spring yet, but it still sounds good - makes me want to go driving! {#Sunny}
 trekhead wrote:

 



Lucky Kleinschmidt (voiced by Tom Petty).  He won a $53,000 settlement.  He'll never have to work again.

This is a goodie!  {#Dancingbanana}
I see it's Rickenbaker hour here at RP.  Thanks Bill, my morning just got a whole lot better..

{#Bananajam}
This entire CD (with a couple of rather saccharine exceptions) is just fantastic.  I love the title cut, and the morbid/funny/paranoid "Car Phone."{#Sunny}
Haven't heard this in forever.  Thanks, Bill!
"Back From Rio" was his fun way to refer to being absent from the music scene for so long 
I like that Petty did a duet with McGuinn on this.  Very Byrd-like.  Petty has made no secret of how much he was influenced by the Byrds.  Check out his note-for-note version/tribute of "I'd Feel A WHole Lot Better".  Hey Bill - que that one up one of these days.  {#Bananajam}
You mean this is not TP and someone else actually wants to sound like him???{#Puke}
 Hannio wrote:


True enough.  But Tom Petty is listed as co-author of this song, and he shares vocals in it.
 
Thanks .... thought I heard Tom {#Smile}
 helgigermany wrote:
Sounds much like TP!
 
that's what I thought also

This really sounds like something from The Senile Channel. Suck barfo.
I never saw the point of doing a cover if you're going to make it sound exactly like the original.
RIP, Luann
Always liked McGuinn. Check out what he did with Crowded House (Byrdhouse)
sorry but, Peh!
Sounds much like TP!
Tom Petty came along after the Byrds, so likely that imitation runs the other way. You might also wonder why either of them would want to mimic Dylan. That said, I think all three are pretty damn vocalists and all three are most assuredly great songwriters. 

Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
Never thought someone would ever choose Tom Petty's voice as the one to adopt
 


Sounds Eagles-like.
Never thought someone would ever choose Tom Petty's voice as the one to adopt
DOn't get me wrong—-I'm a big TP fan but I can't say I'm a big fan of his voice.
very nice. {#Hearteyes}
Glorious harmonies.{#Music}
 ThePoose wrote:
Bill may have followed E. Costello's song with this album since E. Costello sang with Roger on cut three of this LP.
It's that classic Elvis connection.

 
Yeah - that's the connect. For people confused, Petty is co-singing and co-writing this track with McGuinn.

Costello also co-wrote and sang on the album, including a great song called "You Bowed Down." I should try to upload that...

Overall, aside from 1 or 2 weak tracks, it's a wonderful pop album.

And, in answer to the Q below, I'm pretty sure Petty has done this live by himself but I don't know of any official solo release.

 earthbased wrote:

Tom Petty is heavily influenced by the Byrds for whom Roger McGuinn sang.

 

True enough.  But Tom Petty is listed as co-author of this song, and he shares vocals in it.
 ThePoose wrote:


More likely that old sperm donor David Crosby.
 
I believe it's Petty singing, but I think Elvis covered it.

Bill may have followed E. Costello's song with this album since E. Costello sang with Roger on cut three of this LP.
It's that classic Elvis connection.

 Tim_in_N_FL wrote:

Thanks for this comment...not hard to see the influence in this one.  Would make a great cover for Tom Petty.
But isn't he singing on this song too with McGuinn?{#Wall}
 

More likely that old sperm donor David Crosby.
 earthbased wrote:

Tom Petty is heavily influenced by the Byrds for whom Roger McGuinn sang.

 
Earthbased and TJOpootertoot Thanks for your comments...not hard to see the influences in this one. 
Was this tune ever done solely by Tom Petty & his band (without McGuinn)?

 oldsinger wrote:
Always liked this McGuinn sound.
 
   I especially like his self-titled release, now apparently out of print and never released on CD. I was fortunate to scarf a copy online a couple of years ago; now I just have to get the digital turntable rigged up again so I can transcribe the LP!

 huebdoo wrote:
Is this or is this not Tom Petty?
Who the hell is Roger McGuinn? Like wasnt he like on a 60's band ... the Byrds or something?
 
How old are you? Or maybe you are eight miles high.

 huebdoo wrote:
Is this or is this not Tom Petty?
Who the hell is Roger McGuinn? Like wasnt he like on a 60's band ... the Byrds or something?
 
Tom Petty is heavily influenced by the Byrds for whom Roger McGuinn sang.

Cool.
Is this or is this not Tom Petty? Who the hell is Roger McGuinn? Like wasnt he like on a 60's band ... the Byrds or something?
Augustus wrote:
ah, so petty co-wrote, I guess McGuinn had already covered dylan's entire catalog at this point and had to branch out? not a bad song.
I think they did a total of about 9 Bob covers, a Pete Seeger/ Ecclesiastes one, a Gerry Goffin/ Carol King one and a few other covers. Out of over a hundred songs, I think your observation is a little off. It just so happens all you hear from the Byrds, on any FM broadcast, is the couple of Dylan covers. You really should have known.
bxd_tech wrote:
superb. just plain superb.
indeed