Can using too high watt light bulb burn out?

Defective bulbs, but don't use bulbs higher than the listed rating on the fixture, they were not tested as safe from fire at wattage higher than listed. Watts = Heat (3.4 btu per hour). The max light size on the fixture is for the actual watts used by the lamps, not the equivalent.

But make sure you are comparing the correct items, you might need brighter bulbs because there is a lot of deception in current energy saving lamps.

Your thinking you need more light might be due to packaging deception. Inspect packages carefully, like this lamp http://amzn.to/1FzNGLl says it uses 53 watts, comparable to a 75 watt. Also says 790 lumens. However this actual 60 watt bulb http://amzn.to/1ApRGPO same brand, 60 watts, 840 lumens. You do save energy, but only 6% more efficient, not 29% like the lie on the package. This is the level of honesty you can expect from any GE product.

This same deception happens across the board, halogen, CFL or LED use the light output of an old "long life" bulb that doesn't put out much light so they can market the low watt bulb saving as much money as possible.

Also many people don't like LED or CFL because the have bought lamps the wrong color temperature, the color of standard Edison bulbs is close to 2700° Kelvin, anything higher than that will be more blue.

Most fixtures are rated for no more than 60 watts per socket, usually states it on the fixture plate. Understand wanting more light. Try biting the bullet and getting LEDs, less wattage for the amount of light emitted, even if they are expensive!

too much electric over load. try those compact florescent bulbs. Lots of light and low wattage

Defective bulbs, Buy a different make.