[edit] Career
At a young age, he was interested in music but his primary interest was athletics. He purchased a guitar at the age of 12 and although he learned to play it, most of his time was devoted to sport. This eventually resulted in being offered a baseball scholarship to the University of Idaho at Moscow.
King later returned to Shreveport and joined the Louisiana Hayride, a popular TV and radio show broadcast in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, produced in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Louisiana Hayride ranked second only to the Grand Ole Opry in terms of television and radio importance in the early 1950s to the 1960s and King was frequently billed on the same shows with other famous legends such as Elvis Presley, John Ritter's father, Tex Ritter, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Webb Pierce, Kitty Wells, Jimmie Davis, Slim Whitman, Faron Young, Johnny Horton, Jim Reeves, George Jones and Lefty Frizzell, among many others who became big music stars in the 1960s.
King recorded a few songs for Gotham Records, although none were successful. In 1961, he became more serious about a musical career and signed with the Nashville, Tennessee division of Columbia Records. He struck immediately, cutting "Big River, Big Man", a country Top 10 and even a small pop crossover success. He soon followed with "The Comancheros" inspired by the movie of the same title, starring John Wayne. It was a Top 10 country hit in late 1961, also crossing over to the pop charts.
King made his "career" recording in the spring of 1962. "Wolverton Mountain", written with Nashville veteran Merle Kilgore, was based on a real character, Clifton Clowers, who lived on Wolverton Mountain in Arkansas. The song became an immediate hit, going to No.1 for nine weeks during its 26-week run on the Billboard Country charts. It was also a pop Top 10.
King followed up that year with an American Civil War song, "The Burning Of Atlanta" which also went Top 10 on the country charts and again generated a lot of interest on the pop lists. In late 1962, he recorded "I've Got The World By The Tail" which narrowly missed the country Top 10.
He had another good year in 1963, scoring three solid country hits with "Sheepskin Valley", "Building a Bridge" and "Hey Lucille!". The hits continued in 1964 with "Sam Hill" and in 1965 he was back in the Top 10 with "Tiger Woman", co-written by Merle Kilgore. King also did well that year with "Little Buddy". His smooth country style continued to find a flavor throughout the decade, especially songs like "Catch a Little Raindrop" and the Top 10 "All For The Love Of A Girl" in 1969. His singles continued to hit the country charts through 1972. He left the label in 1973 after having accomplished 29 hits.
Besides a successful career recording and touring, King also performed as an actor in several movies, and like his nephew, Chris Aable, King is also among a minority of actors who are members in both the Screen Actors Guild and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. He appeared in the 1982 television miniseries The Blue and the Gray and appeared in several feature films. King is no relation to another actor by the same name, born in 1875 in England.
In 1981, Arkansas Governor Frank D. White paid tribute to King and his big 1962 hit by declaring August 7 "Wolverton Mountain Day". By that time, King had almost retired from recording.
After being absent from recording for over 20 years, King recently released a new CD called Cowboy in the White House. Most of the songs were written or co-written by him. Elvis Presley's guitarist, James Burton performed guitar for the release.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_King"
Highway Lonely
Claude King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You had me believing that I was the only one I didn't know you were only having fun
I made a mistake when I went to your house
You played with my emotions like a cat with a mouse
You quit me cold and said we are through
You put me on highway lonely goin' somewhere new
Highway lonely oh where does it goes I've asked everybody nobody knows
If there's anybody that wonders bout me
[ piano ]
I wish I could stop thinkin' bout you thinkin' of all the good times we've had
But while I'm sitting here with all my thinking you're doing somebody bad
Highway lonely oh where does it goes...
I'm walkin' on highway lonely that's where I'll be
The lyrics of Claude King's song "Highway Lonely" tell the story of a person who finds themselves trapped in a web of their own making because of a love that was easily taken. The singer was led to believe they were the only one for their lover, but it turns out that the lover was only having fun and playing with their emotions. The mistake was made when the singer went to the lover's house, and they were abruptly ended by the lover who said they were through. As a result, the singer is left alone on the highway, heading somewhere new, feeling trapped and unsure of where they're going.
The theme of betrayal and heartbreak is evident in these lyrics. The singer trusted their lover and believed they were in a committed relationship, only to discover that they were being deceived. The feeling of being trapped in their own emotions is emphasized by the reference to a web and a cat playing with a mouse. The loneliness and uncertainty the singer experiences are vividly described through the imagery of walking on a highway, wondering where it leads and if anyone cares about their whereabouts.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of sorrow and resignation, as the singer reflects on the pain caused by their failed relationship and contemplates their lonely journey ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm trapped in web of my own makin' all because your love was easy takin'
I find myself stuck in a complicated situation I created, solely because I easily fell for your love.
You had me believing that I was the only one I didn't know you were only having fun
You made me believe that I was your sole focus, but I didn't realize you were just playing around.
I made a mistake when I went to your house
I regret my decision to visit your place.
You played with my emotions like a cat with a mouse
You toyed with my feelings, treating them like a cat playing with a mouse.
You quit me cold and said we are through
You abruptly ended our relationship and declared that it was over.
You put me on highway lonely goin' somewhere new
You left me feeling lonely, embarking on a journey towards an unknown destination.
Highway lonely oh where does it goes I've asked everybody nobody knows
I frequently wonder where this lonely highway leads, seeking answers from everyone, but no one can provide them.
If there's anybody that wonders bout me
If there is anyone out there who ponders about me and my well-being.
I'm walkin' on highway lonely that's where I'll be
I am currently walking on this desolate highway, and that's where you'll find me.
[ piano ]
Instrumental break
I wish I could stop thinkin' bout you thinkin' of all the good times we've had
I long to cease constantly thinking about you and reminiscing about all the happy moments we shared.
But while I'm sitting here with all my thinking you're doing somebody bad
Meanwhile, as I'm lost in my thoughts, you are mistreating someone else.
Highway lonely oh where does it goes...
Highway lonely, oh where does it lead...
I'm walkin' on highway lonely that's where I'll be
I am traveling along this lonesome highway, and that's where I will remain.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ruth Boykin
Traveling that highway! Great song, loved hearing it again. thank you, Bianca!
CountryBoy Williams
CLASSIC COUNTRY "LOVE GONE WRONG SONG"...BEAUTIFUL
BeMisty
Thanks!
Primrose Haran
fantastic singer thanks for this lovely post
George Hayden
missed this one Misty👌
graham bull
If you asked me to name a Claude King song,I could only say Wolverton Mountain.....now I know two...and I like it!
graham bull
Milton Moore ...just put it on my latest playlist,thanks.
graham bull
Milton Moore ...thanks Milton,a 1970 hit,which I found on reeltape an hour ago,but I can't play it,machine's bust. I remember the Commacheros too! Wolverton,I was singing with my band in 1962.
Ruth Boykin
It IS a good one...I found it too..from you.
Milton Moore
google his FRIEND, LOVER,
WOMAN, WIFE &
maybe you can boost it to
three!