Gangster of Love
Encyclopedia
"Gangster of Love" is a blues song recorded by Johnny "Guitar" Watson in 1957. When Watson re-recorded the song in 1978, it became a hit. It has been identified as "his most famous song" and has been recorded by several artists.
. 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) "reaching a few more listeners this time".
. It became a hit, reaching #32 during a stay of thirteen weeks in the Billboard R&B chart. 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:
recorded "Gangster of Love" which was released as a single in 1964 (Frolic 45-1016). The song appears on the 1965 Sam the Sham
and the Pharaohs album Wooly Bully. The Steve Miller Band
included a version on their 1968 Sailor
album (though this is not to be confused with the band's song The Joker
, which contains the lyric "some call me the Gangster of Love"). Miller also referenced the song in some of his other songs and it became part of his concert repertoire.
Original song
Johnny "Guitar" Watson first recorded a demo version of "Gangster of Love" while he was with RPM Records in the mid-1950s. In 1957, a version of the song, a mid-tempo blues shuffle featuring a stop-time arrangement, was released by Keen RecordsKeen Records
Keen Records was founded by John and Alex Siamas in 1957 in Los Angeles as a side business. John Siamas was a very successful businessman in the aerospace industry, and, as a music aficionado, started Keen as a side business. Bob Keane was with the label in its early days, but departed in late...
. The single did not appear in the record charts. However, with Johnny Otis
Johnny Otis
Johnny Otis is an American singer, musician, talent scout, disc jockey, composer, arranger, recording artist, record producer, vibraphonist, drummer, percussionist, bandleader, and impresario.He is commonly referred to as The Godfather Of Rhythm And Blues.-Personal life:Otis, the son of Alexander...
producing, Watson re-recorded the song in 1963 for King Records
King Records (USA)
King Records is an American record label, started in 1943 by Syd Nathan and originally headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.-History:At first it specialized in country music, at the time still known as "hillbilly music." King advertised, "If it's a King, It's a Hillbilly -- If it's a Hillbilly, it's a...
(5774) "reaching a few more listeners this time".
1970s version
In 1978, during his "flamboyant funkster" phase, Watson's recorded an updated "Gangster of Love" for DJM RecordsDJM Records
DJM Records was the record label set up in the 1970s by British music publisher, Dick James, distributed by Pye Records in the UK and various other companies around the world, including the USA...
. It became a hit, reaching #32 during a stay of thirteen weeks in the Billboard R&B chart. 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...
Other versions
Early in his career, Johnny WinterJohnny Winter
John Dawson "Johnny" Winter III is an American blues guitarist, singer, and producer. Best known for his late 1960s and 1970s high-energy blues-rock albums and live performances, Winter also produced three Grammy Award-winning albums for blues legend Muddy Waters...
recorded "Gangster of Love" which was released as a single in 1964 (Frolic 45-1016). The song appears on the 1965 Sam the Sham
Sam the Sham
Sam the Sham is the stage name of the American rock and roll singer Domingo “Sam” Samudio . Sam the Sham was known for his camp robe and turban and hauling his equipment in a 1952 Packard hearse with maroon velvet curtains...
and the Pharaohs album Wooly Bully. The Steve Miller Band
Steve Miller Band
The Steve Miller Band is an American rock band formed in 1967 in San Francisco, California. The band is managed by Steve Miller on guitar and lead vocals, and is known for a string of mid-1970s hit singles that are staples of the classic rock radio format.-History:In 1965, Steve Miller and...
included a version on their 1968 Sailor
Sailor (album)
Sailor is the second studio album by American rock band The Steve Miller Band, released in October 1968 by Capitol Records. Like The Steve Miller Band's previous album, Children of the Future, Sailor was produced by Glyn Johns; but unlike its predecessor which was recorded in London, England,...
album (though this is not to be confused with the band's song The Joker
The Joker (song)
"The Joker" is a song by the Steve Miller Band from their 1973 album The Joker. The song is one of two Steve Miller Band songs that feature the neologism "pompatus". The song topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1974. It draws heavy influence from the Allen Toussaint's song Soul Sister featured...
, which contains the lyric "some call me the Gangster of Love"). Miller also referenced the song in some of his other songs and it became part of his concert repertoire.