Ah oh, smokestack lightnin'
Shinin', just like gold
Why don't ya hear me cryin'?

Whoo hoo
Whoo hoo
Whoo

Whoa oh, tell me, baby
What's the, matter with you?
Why don't ya hear me cryin'?

Whoo hoo
Whoo hoo
Whoo

Whoa oh, tell me, baby
Where did ya, stay last night?
A-why don't ya hear me cryin'?

Whoo hoo
Whoo hoo
Whoo

Whoa-oh, stop your train
Let her, go for a ride
Why don't ya hear me cryin'?

Whoo hoo
Whoo hoo
Whoo

Whoa-oh, fare ya well
Never see, a you no more
A-why don't ya hear me cryin'?

Whoo hoo
Whoo hoo
Whoo

Whoa-oh, who been here baby since,
I-I been gone, a little, bitty boy
Girl, be on

Whoo hoo
Whoo hoo
Whoo

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chester Burnett

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Giuseppe Responte

1y↑7

I love the blues, it’s my favorite genre, since I was 17 I’ve been completely immersed in all facets of it. This was one of the first blues songs I heard and it’s still my favorite, this is the type of blues I really like, if I could listen to only three blues musicians for the rest of my life they would definitely be:

1. Howlin Wolf
2. Albert King
3. Stevie Ray Vaughan

There a lot of other but if I had to pick three it would be them.

The reason I love those three the most is because their blues has a mean flavor to it, just purely sad blues isn’t as enjoyable to me. If you read this far, leave me a reply telling me your favorite blues musicians.

All comments from YouTube:

Aiden Pearce

6y↑4.1K

My dad was a big fan of Howlin'wolf. He passed away on monday, and we decided to play this song at the funeral. It was his number one favorite.

Miguel Garcia

may he rest with the howling wolf now!!!

dotnb

10w

So sorry for your loss

Frank M

17w

May your dad R.I.P.

Mulisha Knight

21w

thats badass! i bet your Dad was bad ass!!! Sorry for youre loss, i lost my father and little brother also! cheers chin up!!!!

Elijah Eelhajjbey

28w

No worries gal, cause I’m howling for yah, yo daddy knows that mating call
Howooooo

132 More Replies...

Bill Bo Swaggins

3y↑1.9K

Played this for my huskie he is now a grey wolf.

Steve Meloccaro

7w↑1

that's good

Bin Ysrael

10w

😆😆😆😆😆

Artivist Joan

10w

The Transformative Powers of the Blues is Real.

Benelmouaz Khaled

11w↑1

😂😂😂😂

Nathan Tanguma

12w↑1

Played this in my car for my 6 year old niece and 5 year old nephew and they LOVED IT

46 More Replies...

RunReilly

3y↑40

One of the most important songs in Rock history. Cheers to this!

Junior mafia

9w↑1

but this is blues at its finest

Avi Soncino

3y↑720

The Small Faces, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones,and literally any blues-based Rockn'Roll band from the 60's and 70's wouldn't exist without this amazing recording...

Junior mafia

10w

@Hugh Gevainey the only one that comes close to howlin wolfs voice is ian siegal

Otto Kar

11w

Yardbirds too

Mr.President sir

14w

Constantly hanging around Muddy Waters.

Larry Wheeler

17w↑1

And nothing would have existed if the first notes, chords, melodies, beats, and so forth had never existed. Give credit where credit is due. Perhaps God.

jon hartman

17w

The entire genre of rock n roll would not exist if not were Howlin Wolf and others that came off the plantations of the Deep South.

60 More Replies...

Daniel Christensen

2y↑62

I’ll never leave the blues. It’s honest, it brings up every thought and emotion I’ve ever experienced in just a single song. I think people that say they don’t like it are just afraid of digging around inside their own existence.

J ROC

12w

A little bit bro I get this like a few years ago when I was a little more conflicted I wouldn’t listen to this stuff now I’m 26 I can sort of appreciate good music 😂

Mr.President sir

14w↑1

Everybody want the rhythm part..but don't want the blues.

DukeOnkled

28w↑5

The blues is something every person's got inside themselves, some folks just aren't ready to look at it yet.

shuk0rina444

24w↑11

i’m so glad i discovered this song. i’ve been listening to it nonstop. i can’t even thoroughly describe why i love it. it’s just an amazing song. his vocals, the way he sings, it’s pure passion. and i’ll forever be happy that i found out this song existed.

Gordon Jackson

2y↑188

Saw him at Salford University in the UK in 1969. A big guy with a huge personality and a massive voice.

68Charger

It is that voice. So powerful. Sounds like it's coming from the depths of hell.

M K

Lucky!

Gordon Jackson

1y↑7

@Jacob Irving Yep, 71

Jacob Irving

1y↑1

Wow so ur like 70 years old?

RandomCommunist

cap

4 More Replies...

Michael Hill

2y↑149

Was about 4 years old when this came out. Stations like our old KGFJ used to blast this and others like it on Saturday nights on AM Radio, so I grew up with my Southern roots in LA and Compton during those days...and since I'm a skilled musician it influences my style to this day...baby steps listening to blues on Los Angeles Black Radio because it's what my folks enjoyed listening to being from down below Mason-Dixon. Learned a lot of good stuff about Howling Wolf on his biography and was a good employer of musicians as well as a great talented artist who went to school to earn his literacy while building his musical legacy...that's the most impressive part. Learned music, reading, writing and math during his more flourishing years, I guess, because he had the money and could make time to get his life in better circumstances....that's the mark of greatness, not just his music here....TILSN

Jason Freeman

22w

Hey man, I grew up in LA myself. I played music, mostly guitar, in a bunch of bands. I had a bit of falling out with my band mates because I love shit like this. They were trying to make it big while I was trying to go hard. This is the real shit. I still play a lot to this day in an unprofessional capacity. Cheers.

Ernesto De La Serna

34w

I recall reading an interview where Wolf tell's the story about how in the early days of the blues scene in Chicago, Muddy Waters and his band would "cut" other bands by setting up onstage and playing during a break in that band's set, and then proceed to run them off the stage. Wolf said, "they never tried that with us because we was too heavy for 'em".

richard ferrier

38w

Michael Hill, thanks for taking the torch and running with it......

JacktheBagger

2y↑1

year younger than you , always loved the wolf

Linda Mae Mullins

❤️❤️❤️

1 More Replies...

Corey Smith

3y↑668

“He was the BIG BAAAAAAD WOLF. The story is he got his name from a dead man who came outta the cemetery and toned his guitar... and he been howlin’ at the moon ever since.”

Steve Croissant

8w↑1

All I'm saying that as I write this, your comme has 666 likes. Seems fitting so I'm not going to mess with it. Lol

Joshua Brooks

15w

It's kinda funny that "Howlin' Wolf" was a gentle giant in real life.

Joshua Brooks

15w

It's kinda funny that "Howlin' Wolf" was a gentle giant in real life.

Francis E. White

35w

@standingbeark That’s the truth right there! He became so afraid of the WOLF that he became THE HOWLIN WOLF!

18 More Replies...

Geoffrey Gentry

5y↑2.6K

Anybody else here because you love real nice blues like this? I know you folks are out there.

chiller stones

No. I'm here because I hate this music so much, I am here just to tell you to stop listening to it. This is worse than rap music!!!!

hubert sumlin

12w

Anyone arguing in the comments should close their eyes and listen

Tim OConnor

12w

Manchester England

paul poole

12w

@Narelle Wooding ru

Sam Donovan

12w↑1

I'm here from reacher

94 More Replies...

Luke Thacker

12w↑6

The added reverb in the Wolf of Wall Street sampling of this track is next level 🔥

Monica Garner

3y↑26

I love Howlin Wolf.. one of my favorite! And in 2019 this song still gives me chills! Rumor has it he's still howling to this day 😅

Speedy Mhayise

2y↑60

This has to be the most bad ass blues jam ever 🔥

Collin Morris

3y↑29

There's no question who influence CCR. Timeless track. Love how ragged it sounds.

CiCi L.

Shivers up my spine when I hear this. It's like stepping in a time machine. Going down to the earth to the roots of rock and roll and blues.

Javier Martín Escribano

1y↑5

To listen this song when camping alone in a forest clearing at night, under the stars and the Moon, is incredibly powerful. A masterpiece of real blues💪🏽

Giuseppe Responte

1y↑7

Ibrahim Mchumo

3y↑12

I just love this song, it's just so so so powerful and so so so so deep. So much soul in his voice

David del Carmen Aibar

9w↑1

"HOWLIN' WOLF" era un músico que podía gritar, sollozar, gemir, o hacer cualquier cosa necesaria para que se entendieran sus mensajes y sus sentimientos.

Nathan D

2y↑11

The bass in this is really groovy. It's always an extremely underrated element of the music when done right.

No Name

1y↑15

the vibes from this song are indescribable

Richard Hester

21w↑3

Wow, his voice can knock down buildings. Brilliant 👏

Phil Newton

6y↑247

Most magnificent blues song ever recorded

Coked-up cat

@ethrez Don't forget freddie kings hits too

ethrez

Dont forget about lightning hopkins - shotgun blues

Derek Staroba

3y↑1

Actually its really good but there are many more! I hope you find them 😊 i love blues!

Tombstone Harry Studios

4y↑1

Phil Newton you’ve got that right!

Mac McKenzie

32w↑11

Listening to Howlin' Wolf sing "Smokestack Lightnin'" is similar experience to listening to Miles Davis "Kind of Blue" album. First couple of times you kind of like it and then something happens. The music gets into your head, your soul, your inner being and you just have to play it over again and again.

Richard Williams

3y↑3

Great track by the Wolf, seeing him perform this in the sixties in England was amazing.

Jamal Bennar

2y↑3

Blues never die ! Generation after generation ! The blues is the Music of the heart !👍😁

7rays

47w↑6

The best blues song of all time IMO

Mario Frigo

3y↑4

Howling Wolf has so much energy in his voice. Great Blues singer

DOGNINI

3y↑2

This voice,this sound is simply awsome!

Paul Meekcoms

2y↑5

Fantastic voice!

Giuseppe Responte

23w↑1

To my tastes, this is probably the best blues track ever. It’s just so mean and wolf’s vocal delivery is second to none. Just a hell of a badass blues man.

Burt Reynolds

8y↑19

I was stunned when I first heard this song. So many blues songs are badly recorded and extremely long and drawn out, making them hard to listen to. I've always imagined that blues can only be appreciated live. But this song, you could tell me it just came out yesterday and I would believe you. This is a true classic.

cuchalainn

10w

It's that electric Chicago Blues sensation

Mike Hawk

16w

I’ve just recently been getting into the Blues and I’m blown away. These Blues greats were originals.

Lawrence Singleton Jr

3y↑3

I learned of the Howlin Wolf through my father and I was a fan ever since I heard this. The movie helped me understand the times of when this was made. Good stuff!

Patricia M

3y↑76

2019 Still loving it!!!❤🎤♩🎶🎵

Snake Eater545

Poolpile

3y↑4

Here for it too. 👏👏👏

r_a_z_z_m_a_t_a_z_z

2y↑98

When I hear someone sing like they're almost crying, then I know it come from somewhere real. It gives me the shivers, but that's why I love this music. Not some poppy tik tok shite.

Eli

Thats why its called the Blues

Boy Bull

2y↑1

I get that bud...I hear that in ole man trouble by the truley great Otis Redding...man that dude had soul.

Benno hulsing

Ay nice bro! I like prog

Jay

@Benno hulsing Oh shit dude, Supalonely is pretty tight, My go to genres are closer to thrash metal, Prog rock and blues but that was good dude, right up my alley. Thanks for kicking game 👌👌

Benno hulsing

@Jay or "Supalonely" for example, is another song that is catchy, has interesting vocal delivery, great production, and good lyrics.

4 More Replies...

Jack Spry

36w↑2

RIP and long live Howlin’ Wolf (June 10, 1910 - January 10, 1976), aged 65
You will always be remembered as a legend.

Raphael De La Ghetto

2y↑77

This gotta sound like heaven on an original record player

Jack Shit

28w↑1

@CATS CATS PLAYZ I think his smokestack got hit by lightnin.

CATS CATS PLAYZ

41w↑1

@jay johnson its been 4 weeks I'm just reminding you

jay johnson

45w↑3

i have a 1960s console stereo im about to go play this on, thanks for the inspiration. will comment back with how it sounds

Christopher Myers

48w↑4

Can confirm - it does.

Real Eyes, Realize, Real Lies

1y↑3

I been howlin at every full moon ever since I heard this masterpiece!!! Still give me chills EVERYTIME I listen to this song!

Stuart McCallum 94

3y↑1

Everyone in the world should hear this song at least once absolute masterpiece of a blues song 🙌🏻

George Vreeland Hill

3y↑3

Love Howlin' Wolf. His voice and songs are legendary.

Matt Prozialeck

This has been my favorite song since the first time I heard it. Amazing track!

Candy bar=T Slim

2y↑1

True blues pioneer and legend. Forever love Howlin' Wolf. RIP

harrison wintergreen

Oh man that voice always gives me chills

MUSA MANSA

4y↑1.5K

This makes me wanna eat some baby back ribs and drink some jack Daniels with my dad in the old farmhouse in South Carolina

IsthatKeyy

Believe That!👍🏾😊🥂

Alan Kirkby

33w

MUSA MANSA I very much be with you and your Father, somehow shearing you memory/family meeting.
I live in U.K.
Peace to all !!

Mark Moore

35w

@Arjun Ram How about some Eagle Reserve???

Shredder

36w

Woooooooo

PHAB13

39w

Love your name and shout to SC.

55 More Replies...

Lucas Wiggins

1y↑2

One of the best guitar riffs ever !!!!

danny newey

Such powerful soul and conviction. Love it! 😊

LifeOfNate

26w↑2

I’ve known this song before but I’m here listening from the show REACHER. Man Alan kicks ass as the character. Hoping for many seasons with him after season 2.

Gregory Craven

3y↑6

Yes it's 2020 and I'm listening to this song like blues like this the guy who played howlin wolf did a really good job protraiting the real live howlin wolf

freedom isn't free 20

3y↑1

Thank you sir for sharing your blues and your talent, respect and love ya forever.

Bill C.

The Wolf howls best on vinyl!! Awesome Blues!

demon515

44w

I love the blues! It’s the best music genre of all time!

Eric The Roman

1y↑3

Darn, what a powerful yet silky smooth voice.

Bob Aldo

5y↑69

This is perhaps the greatest postwar blues record of them all.

Dennis Rash

3y↑3

Every single time I hear this song it reminds me of hellsing's opening theme. This song is phenomenal, wish I heard him live.

D Mecca

Have to listen to this at high volume, so I can hear every instrument. Salute to Howlin Wolf!!

Layla’s YouTube channel

2y↑4

This type of music will live on forever who agrees 💯💯💯😤

rundown thomas

one of the great blues tunes of all time

*DJ Dre Jolly

This song is the greatest 🙌 hands down! I love this song alot! I love that harmonica!

Eliab Barros Madeira

19w

Blues maravilhoso.

aylesburyfreak

1y↑1

one of th first singles I ever bought. Still sounds so fine!

Lincoln Hirschi

A song that has more power and beauty in 2 measures than most musicians dare dream possible. An understated masterclass on the art of arrangment. That guitar line weaving and winding through and behind and on top of that shufflin' beat. Wow. A masterpiece for the ages. Of 50s USA but timeless, urban alienation and spiritual dislocation's sorrowful lament.

Smedley Butler

Real music lives forever 👏 👏👏👏

bdoss10

48w↑2

One of the coolest songs of all time 😎😎

Raquel Pimenta

1y↑1

DELÍCIA DE MSC

Dark Knight 22

26w↑3

The smile on my face when this came on in Jack Reacher 😁😁😁

unknownreaper121

7y↑30

Masterpiece indefinitely just the rhythm/instruments and the lyrics make this song a timeless piece to listen to.

Angel Santiago

2y↑2

Gonna be honest, really had no clue who this amazing man was until I decided to let Cadillac Records play in the background and I heard the actor sing this song...googled it...heard this...AND STOOD UP IMMEDIATELY! PASSION IS UNDENIABLE!!!

Marco-Antoine Barbery

1y↑2

One of the ancient Blues Masters who ever played the Blues 😎😘

Carol Phillips

Love it!!!!!❤️

John English

2y↑4

🤠This is the greatest recording in music history. Period. The end. 🐺

WJB

6y↑349

This is one of my sister's favorite songs. She's 10. My parents cared about raising us well.
HOWLIN' WOLF, HOWL ON!

Steve Clark

VFK Very Fuckin Kool! Bless you, your sister and your folks!

salvatore barbarotto

4y↑2

Gods blessing your parents!

Iam Notevenanumber

4y↑1

Oh you grow up in a speakeasy or whad??

michael riddle

4y↑2

Willie Boyd Respect.

5 More Replies...

John Schillo

love it!

Casper D

Listen to this about once a month in my rotation...GREAT MUSIC...

Kim Skjønhaug

2y↑1

Faaaantastic song ❤️

HAILFLON Johetfz

absolutely phenomenal, timeless

Damiyon Sanders

4y↑43

I love the way he sings wooo....lot of pain n sincerity in his voice

Ales the captain

1y↑1

I love this song :)

Quirk Essence

41w

This song gives me the chills every f** time I hear it!
It has some mighty pent-up power in there. Good, manly mojo.

Musicbreath

28w↑1

Such a voice, such a talent. I too love watching trains. Nothing better than hearing that whistle while drifting off to sleep. 👍

Chris Wolfenden

I absolutely love this

Giuseppe La Rocca

2y↑34

The wolf on the wall Street..... Great Blues ❤️

Softspoken Hensci

Love this SONG😊

Kneeghur

1y↑2

I remember when I was a kid, I used to always wake up to this after a parent-mandated naptime on a Sunday evening. I'd be in my bed at 3-4pm, waking up with my mouth dry as hell from drooling in my sleep. I'd smell collard greens and yams from the kitchen my dad prepping them while he played this song on full blast in the background. Then I'd close my door and turn on Ratchet & Clank. Ooh that shit used to make me so mad as a kid because I don't like soul food and this song got on my nerves. Now, it's a fond memory from my childhood, miss those days 🤣

nelsano3

2y↑2

Nobody sang like Wolf. His voice and personality is almost beyond human, like a force of nature... This record is a masterpiece

Dashaun Caviness

Thats thanks to papa legba

Mickie Taylor

5y↑12

One word Immaculate, this dude came straight from the bowels of hell. His voice still gives you chills. Epic, there will never be another like this. R.i.p. and ty for giving us such great music, without you we wouldn't have hard rock and heavy metal.

Christian Piers Wilkinson

Legend. No other words are worthy. Sweet sound of life.

Stephen Bull

23w

He was from a special and unique time, there will never be artist like him again. A real one of a kind. Brilliant in his originality.

Mike j 29st

3y↑2

I'm only 39 but my parents and grand parents played a lot of old school blues and r&b and to this day when I hear this song if givess me goosebumps this song is was and will always be POWERFUL and legend has it that theb portrayal of him in the Cadillac records was accurate as fck

Vincent Alvarez

3y↑2

Good stuff. I always have liked Howlin Wolf.

Jack Acid

First heard this when my dad played it repeatedly when i was five years old. Imprinted on my brain.

Carlos Ortega

Love it

Stuart James Gray

Howlin' Wolf just blew the house down ❤

Fred Flintstone

dude, I just watched a live version of this from 1964 and it kicks the shit out of this version. this one is cool too, but check it out.

this white boy never heard much like this before. people were writing this kind of stuff in the 1950's? this has some serious swagger. I love it.

joseph andall

3y↑1

I saw this guy at the Fairfield Hall in Croydon, England around 1964 - I was a tad disappointed that he never sang this number - none the less, it was a great show with Hubert Sumlin & Sugar Pie Desanto among others.

boomerang905

1y↑1

Bring it on down Mr. Wolf. My JAM 💃

Snickel Fritz

3y↑3

Damn! This song hits about as hard as that train he is singing about. I grew up listening to classic rock and it is only a stones throw away to also falling in love with the blues that started it all. Love me some howlin wolf, muddy waters, and Albert King. I highly recommend Jimi Hendrix: Blues.

Peacemaker

52w

This my blues joint right here man it's still rocking in 2021!!!

wildwillmor

5y↑9

That riff is a monster!

bobcat

2y↑3

How, in all my 17 years on this planet, have I not heard this gem until now.

JenErik🤘

2y↑1

You haven't heard a lot of gems, being 17. Keep digging, it never ends.

John

2y↑1

Same

Kevin Kiely

2y↑2

You may now move forward in life.....

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