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.
Evil
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't sleep at night
Grab your telephone
Something just ain't right
That's evil
Evil is goin' on wrong
I am warning you, brother
Well, long way from home and
Can't sleep at all
You know another mule is
Kickin' in your stall
That's evil
Evil is goin' on wrong
I am warnin you, brother
You better watch your happy home
You better catch him
'Cause somethin' wrong
In your home
Well, if ya call her on the telephone and she
Answers aweful slow
Grab the first train smokin' if you
Have to hobo
That's evil
Evil is goin' on wrong
I am warning you, brother
You better watch your happy home
If you make it to your house
Knock on the front door
Run around to the back, you'll catch him
Just before he go
And that's evil
Evil is goin' on
I am warnin you, brother
You better watch your happy home
The Howlin' Wolf's song "Evil" is a warning about the dangers of infidelity and the destruction it can bring to a marriage or relationship. The opening line of the song suggests that if you are a long way from home, and can't sleep at night, then something isn't right. The phone is the tool we use when we are away from home to stay connected; however, in this case, the phone is used to warn of the danger of infidelity.
The lyrics describe how the person who is cheating is like an "evil" force that can destroy a happy home. The song's narrator warns the listener that they "better watch your happy home" because evil is going on wrong. The warning is two-fold: watch out for friends, family, and anyone who might want to destroy your relationship, and also, watch out for yourself, as you might also be the one causing the destruction.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "that's evil, evil is going on wrong," emphasizing the singer's warning throughout the song's verses. The final verse suggests that if you suspect your partner of infidelity, you must catch them before it's too late. The danger of infidelity is portrayed as an "evil" force that can destroy relationships and homes.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're a long way from home
When you are far away from your home
Can't sleep at night
And find it difficult to sleep at night
Grab your telephone
Pick up your telephone
Something just ain't right
If you sense something is wrong
That's evil
It's an evil situation
Evil is goin' on wrong
A situation of wrongdoing or evil is underway
I am warning you, brother
I'm telling you, man
You better watch your happy home
Pay attention to your home or family to prevent something bad from happening
Well, long way from home and
When you're far from home, and
Can't sleep at all
You're unable to get any sleep
You know another mule is
You understand that someone else is
Kickin' in your stall
Causing trouble or disruption in your space or territory
You better catch him
You need to catch that person
'Cause somethin' wrong
Because something isn't right
In your home
At your place of residence
Well, if ya call her on the telephone and she
If you call a woman on the phone and she
Answers aweful slow
Takes a long time to answer
Grab the first train smokin' if you
Catch the next available train and
Have to hobo
Even if it means you have to ride as a homeless person
If you make it to your house
If you manage to reach your home
Knock on the front door
Go to the front entrance and knock
Run around to the back, you'll catch him
Quickly go to the back of the house and you'll catch that person
Just before he go
Before he starts to leave
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Willie Dixon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AbuseNote
Howlin' Wolf
If you're a long way from home
Can't sleep at night
Grab your telephone
Something just ain't right
That's evil
Evil is goin' on wrong
I am warnin' ya brother
You better watch your happy home
Well, long way from home and
Can't sleep at all
You know another mule
Is kickin' in your stall
That's evil
Evil is goin' on wrong
I am warnin' ya brother
You better watch your happy home
You better catch him
'Cause somethin' wrong
In your home
Well, if ya call her on the telephone
And she answers awful slow
Grab the first train smokin'
If you have to hobo
That's evil
Evil is goin' on wrong
I am warnin' ya brother
You better watch your happy home
If you make it to your house
Knock on the front door
Run around to the back
You'll catch him just before he go
That's evil
Evil is goin' on
I am warnin' ya brother
You better watch your happy home
Songwriters: Willie Dixon
Evil lyrics © BMG Rights Management US, LLC
@NormTilley
Hubert Sumlin on guitar, Willie Dixon on Bass and Otis Spann on piano - how good is this!!!
@stratdude92
And Jody Williams on first guitar!
@snakehips81
Otis Spann is just killing it on this one!
Totally wicked tune !
@derykflanagan40
Thats the line up when I saw him in 73.
@timothyplonk4266
Hubert Sumlin was the ultimate electric blues guitar player. With Howlin's vocals it was an unbeatable combination
@shawnwernette7578
Two thumbs down? Seriously? This is legendary. Roots rock blues man
@avisnorris9789
That's evil.
@rolanschneider5182
+Avis Norris Hahahhhh thats right :)
@lokisgodhi
The blues are scary to children used to bubble gum pop.
@sonnyblack71
Some people are just plain assholes!!!