Down In The Bottom
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics

The song Down In The Bottom by Howlin' Wolf is a upbeat blues tune with a story of a young man who needs to leave his current situation and needs his lover to meet him at the bottom with his running shoes. He plans to escape through the window and when he streaks by, he hopes she won't be late. He fears for his life as he has a bad old man and feels he's too young to die. The song is essentially about escaping a difficult situation and needing the help of a loved one to do so.

The lyrics are quite simple and repetitive, but they still convey a deep emotion and sense of urgency. The singer's fear and desperation come through in the imagery of streaking by and not having time to lose. This urgency is only heightened by the fact that he fears for his safety and feels like he has to leave immediately.

Interestingly, the song was recorded by several artists in the 1960s, including The Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac, but it was originally written and recorded by Chester Burnett, who performed under the stage name Howlin' Wolf. The song showcases Howlin' Wolf's signature growling vocals, which set him apart from other blues singers of his time.