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.
Cause Of It All
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My baby caught the train, left me all alone
She knows I love her, she doin' me wrong
My baby bought the ticket, long as her right arm
My baby bought the ticket, long as my right arm
She says she's gonna ride long as I been from home
Well who been talking, everything that I do
Well you is my baby, I hate to lose
Well goodbye baby, hate to see you go
Well goodbye baby, hate to see you go
You know I love you I'm the causin of it all
I'm the causin' of it all
I'm the causin' of it all
I'm the causin' of it all
In "Cause Of It All," Howlin' Wolf sings about the betrayal of his lover as she catches the train and leaves him alone. Throughout the song, the singer acknowledges his love for her, but also recognizes that he is the cause of his own pain. The opening lines emphasize his loneliness and how his lover's absence has affected him. He acknowledges his love for her but also tells the truth about how she has done him wrong. His questioning in the second verse as to who has been talking and telling everything he does shows that he is unsure of whom to trust. In the end, he resigns to losing her and admits that his own actions and behavior are the reason why his relationship failed. The repetition of "I'm the causin' of it all" reinforces this sentiment.
The underlying message in this song is the reminder that our actions have consequences. Even if we are wronged or hurt, we must still take ownership of our own mistakes and acknowledge how our decisions have contributed to the current situation. This showcases the complexity of human emotions and relationships, and Howlin' Wolf brings this message to life through his soulful blues music.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby caught the train, left me all alone
My lover departed with the train and left me in solitude
She knows I love her, she doin' me wrong
My lover is aware of my love but still acts unjustly towards me
My baby bought the ticket, long as her right arm
My lover obtained a ticket for a trip as long as her arm
She says she's gonna ride long as I been from home
My lover plans to ride the train for as long as I have been away from home
Well who been talking, tellin' everything that I do
I wonder who has been spreading rumors about me and revealing my actions to others
Well you is my baby, I hate to lose
Despite your wrongdoing, you are still my lover and I do not want to lose you
Well goodbye baby, hate to see you go
Although it pains me, I must bid farewell to my lover as she departs
You know I love you I'm the causin of it all
I acknowledge that my actions may have contributed to the deterioration of our relationship, even though I love you
I'm the causin' of it all
I take responsibility for the issues in our relationship and the resulting consequences
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: C. BURNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@1984stef1984
One of my favorite Howlin' Wolf songs!
@Ledprostate
"My baby bought a ticket long as my right arm" Now that's great writing
@BillRightHere
@Blind Brazilian Tex Atlantis Thanks for that note - cool !
@lindsayshilton6862
I LOVE THE OLD BLUES BUT HOWLIN IS THE KING OF THEM ALL!
@lucypowers8940
I love his music
@dennislarson9560
That's not the song's title, it's really called "Who's Been Talking", this is from the fabulous London Sessions recording with some of the best British rockers like Winwood, Clapton et al.
@HockyOne
Backbeat blues!
@Ledprostate
Is that a true blues voice or what?
@ernika22
Why I don't meet guys with such music taste... aaarrgghhh
@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward
Hey