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.
Back Door Man
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am a back door man
Well the men don't know, but the little girls understand
When everybody's tryin' to sleep
I'm somewhere making my midnight creep
Yes, in the morning when the rooster crow
Something tell me I got to go
I am a back door man
I am, a back door man
Well the men don't know, but little girls understand
They take me to the doctor, shot full o' holes
Nurse cried, please save the soul
Killed him for murder, first degree
Judge's wife cried, let the man go free
I am a back door man
I am a back door man
Well the men don't know, but little girls understand
Stand out there, cop's wife cried
Don't take him down, rather be dead
Six feets in the ground
When you come home you can eat pork and beans
I eats mo' chicken, any man seen
I am a back door man
I am a back door man
The song "Back Door Man" by Howlin' Wolf is a classic blues tune that deals with themes of infidelity, secrecy, and taboo. The lyrics suggest that the singer is having an affair with a married woman, sneaking in through the back door to avoid detection. The chorus repeats this idea, with the added implication that while men may be ignorant of this behavior, women are more attuned to the realities of sexual relationships.
The first verse sets up the situation, with the singer admitting to being a back door man and hinting at his nocturnal activities. He suggests that he is more comfortable in the dark, when others are asleep, and that he feels a sense of urgency that propels him forward. The second verse introduces some tension into the story, with a reference to violence and the suggestion that the singer is on the run from the law. The imagery of being "shot full o' holes" and the nurse's cry to "save the soul" are haunting and vivid. The third verse resolves some of this tension, with a reference to a judge's decision to set the singer free, despite his apparent guilt.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a back door man
I am a man who sneaks in through the back door to sleep with women
Well the men don't know, but the little girls understand
Adult men do not understand, but young girls know and are willing to participate
When everybody's tryin' to sleep
I'm somewhere making my midnight creep
Yes, in the morning when the rooster crow
Something tell me I got to go
At night when everyone is sleeping, I'm sneaking around with women. In the morning, I feel I must leave before getting caught.
They take me to the doctor, shot full o' holes
Nurse cried, please save the soul
Killed him for murder, first degree
Judge's wife cried, let the man go free
I was shot and taken to the hospital. The nurse begged for my soul to be saved. I was charged with first-degree murder and the judge's wife begged for my release.
Stand out there, cop's wife cried
Don't take him down, rather be dead
Six feets in the ground
When you come home you can eat pork and beans
I eats mo' chicken, any man seen
The police were going to arrest me, but a cop's wife begged for my life. She would rather die than let them take me. When I return home, I will continue to enjoy chicken, even more than before.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Willie Dixon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paultwiss199
Howlin' Wolf was top end. You can hear Led Zep, Clapton and countless others when you listen to him. An absolute titan of music
@AbuSous2000PR
true... but u have forgotten rolling stones.. actually Jagger himself said that he was inspired by Mr Wolf🙋♂️
@christressel9952
@@AbuSous2000PR i wonder if he influenced and inspired George Thorogood
@stevezee5568
@@christressel9952 I’m sure he was, as was the Doors who remade this song but nothing beats the Wolf!
@arnoldwayne6775
You mean that or you just trying to get hits?(far as YouTube)
@FearTheOldB
100%
@SkelterRed
My grandpa drove a 66 coupe deville when i was a kid and he used to play this shit, he would ride with cigar in his mouth, elbow out the window leanin mean as hell with gold rings on every finger, he passed the cadillac down to me and 20 years later every friday night i ride doin the same shit playin this song in memory of my oldhead. Miss you grandpa goldie
@alfredoveiga
Respect man!
@QuakertownChick
+TheGhost030 great story!
@TanMcQueen
+TheGhost030 Grandpa lives on through you and the music. He sounds like a cool cat.