Gangster of Love

"Gangster of Love" is a blues song recorded by Johnny "Guitar" Watson in 1957. When he re-recorded the song in 1978, it became a hit. It is perhaps Watson's best known song and several artists have recorded interpretations.

"Gangster of Love"
Single by Johnny "Guitar" Watson
B-side"One Room Country Shack"
Released1957 (1957)
Recorded1957
GenreBlues
Length2:48
LabelKeen
Songwriter(s)John Watson a.k.a. Johnny "Guitar" Watson
Johnny "Guitar" Watson singles chronology
"She Moves Me" / "Love Me Baby"
(1956)		 "Gangster of Love"
(1957)		 "Deana Baby" / "Honey"
(1957)

Original song

Johnny "Guitar" Watson first recorded a demo version of "Gangster of Love" while he was with RPM Records in the mid-1950s.[1] In 1957, a version of the song, a mid-tempo blues shuffle featuring a stop-time arrangement, was released by Keen Records. The single did not appear in the record charts. However, with Johnny Otis producing, Watson re-recorded the song in 1963 for King Records (5774). The newer recording gained wider exposure,[1] but again did not reach the charts.[2]

1970s version

In 1978, during his "flamboyant funkster" phase, Watson's recorded an updated "Gangster of Love" for DJM Records. It became a hit, reaching number 32 during a stay of thirteen weeks on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart.[3] The song was a feature of his live shows, with some performances playing up the gangster theme with a simulated siren and a mock police bulletin. Most versions open with

Jesse James and Frank James, Billy the Kid all the rest
Supposed to be some bad cats, out in the West
But when they dug me, and my gangster ways
They hung up their guns, and made it to the grave
'Cause I'm a gangster of love

Legacy

Author David Ritz has identified "Gangster of Love" as Watson's "most famous song"[4] The different versions of have been released on numerous compilations of Watson's music.[5] Additionally, it has been adapted by a variety of artists.[6] The Steve Miller Band released their version on Sailor in 1968 and famously referred back to this song in their number one hit "The Joker" five years later.

References
  1. Dahl, Bill (1996). "Johnny "Guitar" Watson". In Erlewine, Michael (ed.). All music guide to the blues : The experts' guide to the best blues recordings. All Music Guide to the Blues. San Francisco: Miller Freeman Books. p. 271. ISBN 0-87930-424-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. In 2006, Watson's 1963 version was used in an Axe Clix commercial.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (1988). Top R&B Singles 1942–1988. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research. p. 436. ISBN 0-89820-068-7.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  4. Ritz, David (1999). The Very Best of Johnny "Guitar" Watson (Compilation notes). Johnny "Guitar" Watson. Rhino Records. p. 5. R2 75702.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  5. "Johnny "Guitar" Watson: Gangster of Love – Appears On". AllMusic. Retrieved July 29, 2019.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  6. "Johnny "Guitar" Watson: Gangster of Love – Also Performed By". AllMusic. Retrieved July 29, 2019.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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