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.
Dust My Broom
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I believe I'll dust my broom
I'm gettin' up soon in the mornin'
I believe I'll dust my broom
I quit the best girl I'm lovin'
Now my friends can get in my room
Telephone every town I know
I'm gonna write a letter
Telephone every town I know
If I don't find her in Mississippi
She be in East Monroe I know
And I don't want no woman
Wants every downtown man she meets
No, I don't want no woman
Wants every downtown man she meets
Man, she's a no good
Honey
They shouldn't allow her on the street, yeah
I believe, I believe my time ain't long
I believe, I believe my time ain't long
I ain't gonna leave my baby
And break up my happy home
Howlin' Wolf's "Dust My Broom" is a traditional blues song that describes the experience of a man who has been mistreated by a woman he loves. The lyrics suggest that he is planning to leave her behind and start anew by dusting his broom, a symbolic gesture of sweeping away the past and moving on. He is determined to find a new love, as he is tired of the woman who " wants every downtown man she meets." The singer believes that his time is running out and that he should leave his current girlfriend before it's too late.
The lyrics of the song are full of vivid imagery that paints a picture of the singer's experiences. He is tired of his current girlfriend and wants to find someone who will appreciate him for who he is. He is also resigned to the fact that his time may be limited, and he wants to make the most of it by finding a new love. The song ends on a note of determination and hope, with the singer stating that he will not leave his baby and break up his happy home.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gettin' up soon in the mornin'
I plan on waking up early
I believe I'll dust my broom
I intend to leave town
I quit the best girl I'm lovin'
I broke up with my lover
Now my friends can get in my room
I am now open to socializing with friends
I'm gonna write a letter
I will communicate by mail
Telephone every town I know
I will also use the phone to reach out for help
If I don't find her in Mississippi
In case I don't find her in Mississippi
She be in East Monroe I know
I have a feeling she might be in East Monroe
And I don't want no woman
I do not desire a woman
Wants every downtown man she meets
Who wants every man down the street
Man, she's a no good
She is not reliable
Honey
My friend
They shouldn't allow her on the street, yeah
She should not be allowed to walk free
I believe, I believe my time ain't long
I feel like I am running out of time
I ain't gonna leave my baby
I will not abandon my lover
And break up my happy home
And destroy our joyful household
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IKE TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tbone4646
Whoever filmed this session did blues history a huge favor...can't imagine not seeing and hearing this. Wolf IS blues history.
@atmosphericjubilancy
right on
@Gallagherfreak100
What a lineup!! The incomparable Wolf on vocals and harp, a young Hubert Sumlin on lead guitar, Son House dancing and keeping time, off to the right side. We won't ever see the likes of this, again.
@marioski54
Howlin' Wolf singing Elmore James... And Son House behind beating time. Stunning!
@ddh2o759
+Mario Fiorentini I hadn't seen this video before - my kind of blues - how'd you figure out is was Son House in the audience?
@marioski54
dick dewater It'my kind too, dear friend of music. This clip is a part of a live in 1966. On YouTube there are many parts, and very amusing. If you search for "Howlin Wolf Son House" you find all them. Good blues to you from Italy!
@RayGambol
Hubert Sumlin is killin it on guitar in the back row! He sounds great!
@murph5438
This cat was right at the top of all time bluesmen---the great Wolf
@MCBhangramuffin
Howlin wolf had a great singing voice and a great speaking voice
@gnomely1
If ever a session can be called a classic it's this one. Fundamental blues. Essential for anyone's education in music.