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.
Goi'n down slow
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
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You know I done enjoyed things that kings and queens will never have
In fact, kings and queens can never get
And they don't even know about
And good times, mmm-mmm
I have had my fun
If I never get well no more
If I never get well no more
Oh, my health is fading, oh
Oh, yes I'm going down slow
Now lookit here
I did not say I was a millionaire
But I said I have spent more money than a millionaire
'Cause if I had kept all the money then I had already spent
I would've been a millionaire a long time ago
And women, great googly-moogly!
Please write my mama
Tell her the shape I'm in
Please write my ol' mother
Tell her the shape I'm in
Tell her to pray for, oh
Forgive me for my sins
Howlin' Wolf's song "Goin' Down Slow" is a reflection on a life lived fully by a man who has had everything he could ever desire. In the opening lines of the song, the man sings "Man, You know I done enjoyed things that kings and queens will never have. In fact, kings and queens can never get. And they don't even know about." These lyrics suggest that the man has experienced things that are so beyond the realm of normalcy that even the wealthiest and most powerful in the world could never even fathom having. This is significant because it shows that the man has truly lived a life that was filled with experiences that were both unique and fulfilling.
However, the man's life is now nearing its end. He sings, "Oh, my health is fading, oh. Oh, yes, I'm going down slow." These lyrics signify that the man is aware that his time on earth is coming to a close and that his body is no longer able to keep up with the life he has lived. Despite this knowledge, the man does not seem to regret anything that he has done or experienced in his life. He sings, "I have had my fun. If I never get well no more. I have had my fun. If I never get well no more." These lyrics suggest that he has reached a point where he is content with his life and is at peace with the fact that it may soon come to an end.
Overall, Howlin' Wolf's "Goin' Down Slow" is a powerful reflection on a life that has been fully lived. The song's lyrics offer an insight into the thoughts and feelings of a man who has experienced everything that life has to offer and is now preparing to say goodbye to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Man
Hey, listen to me.
You know I done enjoyed things that kings and queens will never have
I have experienced pleasures that are unreachable even for rich and powerful people.
In fact, kings and queens can never get
Even people with royal status cannot experience the things I have.
And they don't even know about
In fact, they may not even be aware of these pleasures.
And good times, mmm-mmm
I have had my share of good times.
I have had my fun
I have indulged in life's joys.
If I never get well no more
If I never recover from my illness
I have had my fun
I have lived life to the fullest.
If I never get well no more
And if I am not able to recover from my illness, that's okay.
Oh, my health is fading, oh
Unfortunately, my health is getting worse.
Oh, yes I'm going down slow
I'm slowly slipping towards death.
Now lookit here
Listen to me now.
I did not say I was a millionaire
I'm not claiming to be very rich.
But I said I have spent more money than a millionaire
However, I must have spent more money than many rich people.
'Cause if I had kept all the money then I had already spent
If I had saved all the money I spent so far,
I would've been a millionaire a long time ago
I would have become a millionaire by now.
And women, great googly-moogly!
Oh man, women - that's a whole another story!
Please write my mama
Please send a message to my mother.
Tell her the shape I'm in
Inform her about my current situation.
Please write my ol' mother
I request you to inform my elderly mother.
Tell her to pray for, oh
Ask her to pray for me.
Forgive me for my sins
And to forgive me for any wrongdoings.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES B. ODEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind