How Many More Years formed his own band in West Memphis, Arkansas, in 1948, billing himself as "The Howlin' Wolf". He began broadcasting on radio station KWEM in West Memphis, and was heard by Sam Phillips who signed him for Memphis Recording Service. He recorded "How Many More Years" at the MRS studio at 706 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee, in or about July 1951, singing and playing harmonica with a band comprising (probably) Ike Turner (piano), Willie Johnson (guitar), and Willie Steele (drums). The repetitious bass-string boogie line resembles the one played in the traditional blues standard "Forty-Four". The record's original A-side, "Moanin' at
How Are You for at least a year or more, or is it less? I can't be sure," the singer says. He then asks, "How are you?" The singer continues to question his friend, asking "Are you still dreaming and making big plans? How are the nights are they still lonely? Are you still struggling the way that I am?" However, the meeting begins to turn sour, with the singer saying, "I know you're making all the same mistakes", but then adds, "Still no offence, no more hard feelings left on silly sentiment. No harm was ever felt or ever meant." He then