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.
Do the Do
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got a babe
And I know her
Love is true
But you ain't seen nothing
'Til you see her, see her
Do the do
Do the do
Shake her shoulder
Take her time
Mover her body
Like I move mine
When she's dancing
You'll love her too
When you see her
Do the do
Do the do
34 bust
22 waist
Everything
Right in place
Cool disposition
Love her too
When you see her
Do the do
Do the do
Well, well there
Ain't nothing like
When you see her
Do the do
Do the do
Well I know
I've got a babe
And I know her
Love is true
But you ain't seen nothing
'Til you see her, see her
Do the do
Do the do
The lyrics to Howlin' Wolf's song "Do the Do" tell a story of the singer's admiration for his lover's dance moves. He exclaims that he knows her love is true, but her dancing skills are unmatched. He encourages others to watch her move, specifically how she shakes her shoulder and moves her body, and promises that they will also be enamored by her skill. The song also includes a physical description of the woman, including her measurements and cool disposition. The repetition of the phrase "Do the do" suggests that this dance move is a specific and impressive maneuver that others should try to emulate.
The lyrics of "Do the Do" reflect the time period in which it was written and performed, which was in the early 1960s during the rise of rock and roll and rhythm and blues. At the time, dancing was a highly popular form of entertainment, and many songs were written specifically to encourage listeners to dance. Interestingly, despite the sexually suggestive nature of the lyrics, the song gained widespread popularity and was even played on the radio.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I know
I'm aware
I've got a babe
I have a girlfriend
And I know her
I'm familiar with her
Love is true
Our love is genuine
But you ain't seen nothing
You haven't witnessed anything yet
'Til you see her, see her
Until you meet her
Do the do
Watch her dance
Shake her shoulder
Move her shoulder
Take her time
She moves gracefully
Mover her body
She moves her body
Like I move mine
In the same way I dance
When she's dancing
During her dance
You'll love her too
You'll be enchanted by her
34 bust
Her bust is 34 inches
22 waist
Her waist is 22 inches
Everything
She has an ideal body
Right in place
Perfectly proportioned
Cool disposition
She has a calm and collected personality
Well, well there
Yes, indeed
Ain't nothing like
There's no comparison for
When you see her
After you meet her
Do the do
Watch her dance
Do the do
Watch her dance
Well I know
I'm aware
I've got a babe
I have a girlfriend
And I know her
I'm familiar with her
Love is true
Our love is genuine
But you ain't seen nothing
You haven't witnessed anything yet
'Til you see her, see her
Until you meet her
Do the do
Watch her dance
Do the do
Watch her dance
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Willie Dixon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@georgewashington6225
Bought this cassatte in prison for 2 dollars... Been out for 10 years now, working, behaving myself. All my other cassettes are fucked except this one😂keeps on kickin, I put it in when my phone dies, love me some howlin wolf 🐺
@gingerbreadman351
This is what i call a gem.
@jamesholiday321
Yesssss
@michellehardge9270
I luv 2 Do the do
@JoseRios-wk4xq
you aint heard nothin, till you heard this song.
@RobHollanderMusic
Love the Wolfman.
@russellguy1982
Amazing guitars, Hubert Sumlin and Chester Burnett!
@philippemortel-laurent2196
Every Rock musisian would have liked to be the compositor of this song
@marcusholman4390
love this song DoThe Do bsby
@mollybrown9315
DO THE DO