Guitar Ray - You're Gonna Wreck My Life - Is It An Old Song?

[Geoff]

I am sure most of the members here know Guitar Ray's You're Gonna Wreck My Life, great crossover/Modern song. It's a 12 bar blues, and writer's credits are C Burnett, on the Goldmine CD I've got it on. I wonder if C Burnett is the guy who was Howling Wolf, the great blues singer? Could well be, I can imagine him singing it. I did ask a friend who is into that type of blues, but he didn't know.

Has anyone on here got the information? It came into my mind again because Hammy played it last night at Letchworth, and I dance to it.

[Sebastian]

There's a tune by Howlin' Wolf entitled "How Many More Years" released as Chess 1479 from 1951. Check out the lyrics:

How many more years, have I got to let you dog me around

How many more years, have I got to let you dog me around

I'd soon rather be dead, sleeping six feet in the ground

...

I'm going upstairs, I'm gonna bring back down my clothes

I'm going upstairs, I'm gonna bring back down my clothes, do them all

If anybody ask about me, just tell'em I walked out on

Howlin' Wolf later recorded a tune called "You Gonna Wreck My Life" (a.k.a. "No Place To Go") and a couple of alternative takes seems to be around. It was originally issued on Chess 1744 in 1959. Obviously based on "How Many More Years", but with lyrics much closer to Guitar Ray:

How many more years, are you gonna wreck my life

How many more years, are you gonna wreck my life

Well the way you done, you gonna wreck my life.

How many times, you gonna treat me like you do

How many more times, you gonna treat me like you do

You took all of my money, and all of my love too.

Now I'm old and gray, got no place to go

Now I'm old and gray, got no place to go

You got yourself a young stud, and you can't stand me no more.

I'm going to the stairs, I'm gonna beg ya for my clothes

I'm going to the stairs, I'm gonna beg ya for my clothes

For where I go nobody knows.

[Geoff]

Thanks for the information Sebastian.

[shute]

Jesus.......... you learn something new everyday on SS........ loving it

[boba]

I am sure most of the members here know Guitar Ray's You're Gonna Wreck My Life, great crossover/Modern song. It's a 12 bar blues, and writer's credits are C Burnett, on the Goldmine CD I've got it on. I wonder if C Burnett is the guy who was Howling Wolf, the great blues singer? Could well be, I can imagine him singing it. I did ask a friend who is into that type of blues, but he didn't know.

Has anyone on here got the information? It came into my mind again because Hammy played it last night at Letchworth, and I dance to it.

Sebastian answered your question already, but this was also noted on Greg Tormo's web page:

https://solidhitsoul.com/shagg.html

[timthemod]

Howlin' Wolf's true name is Chester Burnett.

[Rich Buckley]

There was a programme on last night, called something like "The 7 Ages of Rock" (it's a mini series) and it was mainly to do with Jimi Hendrix, although loads of footage and interviews with other artists - The Who, Clapton, Jeff Beck etc). There was a clip of Howlin Wolf singing this very song!!

Rich

[Gasher]

just thought id be anal and get the lyrics correct

As its one of my favourites

how many more years, are you gonna wreck my life

How many more years, are you gonna wreck my life

the way you treat me baby..youre gonna wreck my life

How many times, you gonna treat me like you do

How many more times, you gonna treat me like you do

took all my money baby , all of my loving too

Now I'm old and gray, got no place to go

Now I'm old and gray, got no place to go

You got yourself a young stud, can't stand me no more.

I'm going down in the cellar , gonna gather all of my clothes

I'm going down in the cellar , gonna gather all of my clothes

and where I go baby ... nobody knows.