Key to the Highway

[garyblue]

One of the first covers of this song I heard was done (badly) by a band outside the blues genre - they gave writer credit to "Big Bill Broonzy". What is the story behind the song, who should receive credit (what part did Charles Segar play)? 

[Admin]

Great question Gary. As far as I know:

Charlie Segar was the original composer of the melody and first recorded this in 1940 and was backed by "Stop and Fix It Mama". The original was a 12 bar blues song. The song was recorded by Jazz Gillum in May 1940. Jazz was accompanied by Big Bill (Broonzy) on guitar and took on the Broonzy 8 bar version. In May 1941, Big Bill Broonzy recorded what was to become the most widely accepted version.

mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=3389







Segar's Lyrics:

I got the key to the highway, I'm rarin' to go
I got the key to the highway, I'm rarin' to go
'Cause I'm gonna leave here runnin, walkin's most too slow

I'm goin' back to the border where I'm better known
I'm goin' back to the border where I'm better known
'Cause you ain't doin' nothin' but drivin' a good man 'way from home

Give me one more kiss mama, one more kiss before I go
Give me one more kiss babe, just before I go
I'm gon' leave here, ain't comin' home no more

When the moon creeps over the mountain I'll be on my merry way
When the moon creeps over the mountain I'll be on my merry way
I'm going to walk the highway until the break of day

So long baby, I must say goodbye
So long, so long baby, I must say goodbye
I'm gonna roam the highway until the day I die

Jazz Gillum's Version

I got the key to the highway, billed out and bound to go
I'm gonna leave here runnin' because walkin' is most too slow

I'm goin' back to the border where I'm better known
'Cause you haven't done nothin' but throw a good man away from home

Give me one more kiss mama, just before I go
'Cause when I'm leavin' here, I won't be back no more

When the moon creep over the mountain, honey I'll be on my way
I'm gonna walk this highway untilo the break of day

Well it's so long, so long baby, I must say goodbye
I'm gonna roam this highway until the day I die

Then, Big Bill Broonzy lyrics:

I got the key to the highway and I'm billed out and bound to go
I'm gonna leave here runnin', 'cause walkin' is most too slow

I'm goin' down to the border, now where I'm better known
'Cause woman you don't do nothin' but drive a good man away from home

Now when the moon creeps over the mountain I'll be on my way
Now I'm gonna walk this old highway until the break of day

Run here sweet mama, now and help me with this heavy load
I'm due in West Texas and I've got to get on the road

I'm goin' to West Texas, I'm goin' down behind the sun
I'm goin' to ask the good God "What evil have I done?"