With a booming voice and looming physical presence, Burnett is commonly ranked among the leading performers in electric blues; musician and critic Cub Koda declared, "no one could match Howlin' Wolf for the singular ability to rock the house down to the foundation while simultaneously scaring its patrons out of its wits." A number of songs written or popularized by Burnett—such as "Smokestack Lightnin'", "Back Door Man", "Killing Floor" and "Spoonful"—have become blues and blues rock standards.
At 6 feet, 6 inches (198 cm) and close to 300 pounds (136 kg), he was an imposing presence with one of the loudest and most memorable voices of all the "classic" 1950s Chicago blues singers. This rough-edged, slightly fearsome musical style is often contrasted with the less crude but still powerful presentation of his contemporary and professional rival, Muddy Waters. Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller), Little Walter Jacobs, and Muddy Waters are usually regarded in retrospect as the greatest blues artists who recorded for Chess in Chicago. Sam Phillips once remarked, "When I heard Howlin' Wolf, I said, 'This is for me. This is where the soul of man never dies.'" In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him #51 on their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".
Burnett died at Hines VA Hospital in Hines, Illinois on January 10, 1976 and was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Hillside, Cook County, Illinois in a plot in Section 18, on the east side of the road. His large gravestone, allegedly purchased by Eric Clapton, has an image of a guitar and harmonica etched into it.
The Howlin' Wolf Memorial Blues Festival is held each year in West Point, Mississippi. Wolf's Juke Joint Jam is another annual Howlin' Wolf tribute festival held in West Point. Some of the artists who have played 'Wolf Jam' include Wolf's lead guitarist Hubert Sumlin, Muddy Waters' back band of Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Calvin "Fuzz" Jones and "Steady Rollin" Bob Margolin, Willie King, Blind Mississippi Morris, Kenny Brown, Burnside Exploration, etc. The festival is held at the 500-acre (2.0 km2) festival grounds known as Waverly Waters Resort.
A popular music venue in New Orleans, Louisiana was named The Howlin' Wolf when it opened in 1988.
Burnett was portrayed by Eamonn Walker in the 2008 motion picture Cadillac Records.
Baby How Long
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
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soundclip
by Chester Burnett a.k.a. Howlin' Wolf
recording of 19
from Moanin' At Midnight (Blue City 2652292), copyright notice
When you left me this mornin',
you taken my heart away,
When you left me this mornin',
you taken my heart away,
That's allright baby,
you will come back home someday
How long, baby, how long, how long
How long, baby, how long, how long
You know I love you
you started doin' me wrong
Well when you leave home,
you can call me on your phone
Well when you leave home,
you can call me on your phone
I'll sent you you're money
darlin' you come back home
Oh come back
How long, have you gone do me wrong
How long, have you gone do me wrong
Ain't nobody never lived that,
gettin' do somebody wrong
The lyrics to Howlin' Wolf's song Baby How Long express heartbreak caused by a significant other leaving the singer. The singer addresses the departed lover, accusing them of taking his heart away, but reassures them that they will return. The chorus repeatedly asks how long the lover will continue to mistreat the singer, emphasizing the pain caused by their actions.
The lyrics also suggest a financial dependency on the lover, and that the singer has been sending them money while they are away. The song ends with a plea for the lover to return, emphasizing the desperation and sadness of the singer.
The song uses the classic blues style of repeating lyrics and familiar chord progressions. The lyrics showcase the pain and longing that is a common theme in blues music, and the music itself features the powerful, emotive vocals that are a hallmark of Howlin' Wolf's style.
Line by Line Meaning
When you left me this mornin',
You departed from me early today,
you taken my heart away,
You took my love and left me alone,
That's allright baby,
It's fine, my dear,
you will come back home someday
You will eventually return to me,
How long, baby, how long, how long
How much longer will you hurt me?
You know I love you
You are aware that I adore you,
you started doin' me wrong
You started to treat me poorly,
Well when you leave home,
When you depart from your place of residence,
you can call me on your phone
You may contact me via telephone,
I'll sent you you're money
I will give you the funds you require,
darlin' you come back home
My beloved, please return home.
How long, have you gone do me wrong
How long will you continue to hurt me?
Ain't nobody never lived that,
No one has ever experienced such pain,
gettin' do somebody wrong
Being treated unjustly by someone.
Contributed by Callie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.