Gangster of Love
Johnny "Guitar" Watson
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Jesse James and Frank James Billy 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 Say I'm a gangster of love Well now When I walk down the street All the girls that I meet Say he's a gangster of love Yeah I robbed the local beauty contest For their first place winner They found her with me out in Hollywood Eating a big steak dinner They tried to get her to go back To pick up her prize She stood up and told them You just don't realize That he's a gangster of love Early in the morning, gangster of love Ooh yeah, now When I walk in a bar Girls from, from near and far Say he's a gangster of love Oh let me invade a little I jump on my white horse, Cadillac I ride across the border line I rope sixty five girls I kiss them all the same time I take twenty five or thirty I'd put them all on a freight A million dollar reward for me Each and every state The Sheriff says, is you Guitar Watson? In a very deep voice I say, yes sir, brother Sheriff, and that's your wife on the back of my horse Cause I'm a gangster of love Yeah, I'm a gangster of love Hey, yeah When I walk down the street All the girls that I meet Say he's a gangster of love
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Written by: JOHNNY GUITAR WATSON
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Historical Significance"Gangster of Love" was originally released by Johnny "Guitar" Watson in 1957. It's since become a significant cult classic, emblematic of Watson's genre-bending music style.
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Artist's NicknameJohnny Watson, whose real name was John Jacob Watson, was popularly known as "Guitar" because of his exceptional guitar-playing skills. This nickname became part of his professional name and is reflected in the song's credits.
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Hit SuccessThough "Gangster of Love" didn't initially succeed on the charts upon release, a re-recording in 1978 resulted in the song becoming a major hit, reaching number 32 on the Billboard R&B chart.
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Genre FusionThe song showcases Watson's diverse musical style, blending elements of blues, funk, and R&B. This blend reflected a broader trend in the 1970s toward genre fusion and exploration.
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Inspiration for Other Artists"Gangster of Love" has subsequently been covered by many artists, including Steve Miller Band and Huey Lewis and the News, evidencing Watson's influence on later musicians.
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Cultural SignificanceThe term "Gangster of Love" became an iconic phrase within popular culture, referenced in various songs, movies, and literature since the original release.
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Watson's Musical ContributionsBeyond being a highly skilled guitarist, Watson also provided vocals on "Gangster of Love," demonstrating his versatile talent.
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Album ReleaseThe 1978 re-recorded version of "Gangster of Love" was added to Watson's album, "Ain't That a Bitch," which became one of his most successful releases.
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Lyrics ContentThe song's lyrics feature Watson boasting about his irresistible charm with women, expressing a suave, self-assured persona that Watson embodied throughout his career.
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Posthumous RecognitionIn recognition of his influential contributions to music, including hits like "Gangster of Love," Johnny "Guitar" Watson was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2008.
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Citation
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"Gangster of Love Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/8723063/Johnny+%22Guitar%22+Watson/Gangster+of+Love>.
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