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.
Goin Back Home
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm going back home where I was born
Try to understand I think this city's grand
But with all its charms give me a little country farm
I'm going back home where I was born
Oh yeah now, oh yeah, oh yeah now, oh yeah
I tell you all about it, I think you ought to know
I miss the country preacher and the house of prayer
I miss the bootlegger smelling in the air
Miss friendly faces and the country smiles
The crickets singing, you can hear it for miles
I miss the rooster crowing at the break of dawn
Yes it all happens where I was born
Miss the fried chicken, colored greens
Miss the hot biscuits and the Lima beans
Miss the prayer meetings where people pray
With the drum beating till the break of day
You can have it, you can have it
You can have it, you can have it
You can have the town, I won't be around
This here life's too fast but 'll never, never last
I'm going back home where I was born
I got to go home, got to go home
Where the people are real, where people can feel
Got to go down, got to go down
Leave here today on my way so long, so long
Going back home, going back home
Got to go home, got to go home
Got to go home, got to go home
Where I, where I was born
First I planned to stay but I can't live this way
I'm going back home where I was born
The lyrics of the song "Goin Back Home" by Howlin' Wolf allude to the singer's longing for simplicity and familiarity, as he expresses a desire to return to his roots. The opening lines reveal the singer's initial plan to stay in the city, but he is now determined to return to his hometown. The singer acknowledges that the city has its own allure, but it is not enough to keep him from going back to farming life. The repetition of "oh yeah" emphasizes the singer's conviction and enthusiasm for returning home.
The lyrics then list various things that the singer misses about his hometown, such as the country preacher and the house of prayer, the smell of bootleggers, friendly faces, cricket sounds, and the rooster crowing at dawn. All of these things are emblematic of a simpler time and less fast-paced lifestyle which the singer misses. The singer goes further to mention specific things like missing the Southern comfort food of fried chicken, collard greens, hot biscuits, and Lima beans. He also remembers fondly the prayer meetings where people would sing and play the drums till break of day.
Overall, "Goin Back Home" is a song that evokes a sense of nostalgia and the need for a genuine connection to one's roots. The rich and descriptive lyrics paint vivid pictures of a simpler life that the singer misses. The repetition of "Got to go home" in the chorus reinforces the idea that the singer's longing for home is more than just a whim.
Line by Line Meaning
First I planned to stay but I can't live this way
At first, I thought I could make a life in this city, but I've realized that it's not the life for me and I can't continue living like this.
I'm going back home where I was born
I've decided to return to my hometown where I grew up and feel a sense of belonging.
Try to understand I think this city's grand
I don't want you to think that I hate this city, I appreciate its offerings.
But with all its charms give me a little country farm
Despite the city's attractions, I still prefer a simple life in the countryside, where I can live off the land.
Oh yeah now, oh yeah, oh yeah now, oh yeah
I'm excited for this new chapter of my life and want to shout it from the rooftops.
I tell you all about it, I think you ought to know
I want to share my reasons for leaving with you, because I think it's important for you to understand.
I miss the country preacher and the house of prayer
I miss the sense of community and religious life that I had in my hometown.
I miss the bootlegger smelling in the air
Even the smells of my hometown that may seem negative, like the bootlegger's operation, bring back fond memories of home.
Miss friendly faces and the country smiles
I miss the warm, welcoming atmosphere of my hometown and its people.
The crickets singing, you can hear it for miles
I miss the calming sounds of nature that I could hear all around me at home.
I miss the rooster crowing at the break of dawn
I miss the natural alarm clock that woke me up every morning and signaled the start of a new day.
Yes it all happens where I was born
All of the things I miss about my hometown are unique to where I grew up.
Miss the fried chicken, colored greens
I miss the delicious, comforting foods that I grew up eating in my hometown.
Miss the hot biscuits and the Lima beans
Even the simplest meals, like biscuits and beans, remind me of home and bring me comfort.
Miss the prayer meetings where people pray
I miss the religious gatherings where people came together to pray and show support for one another.
With the drum beating till the break of day
These prayer meetings were full of lively, joyful music that would go on until morning.
You can have it, you can have it
I'm not going to miss this city life at all.
You can have the town, I won't be around
I'm leaving this city for good and won't be coming back anytime soon.
This here life's too fast but 'll never, never last
I feel like this city lifestyle is unsustainable and fleeting, and I want something more permanent and stable.
I'm going back home where I was born
I'm heading back to my hometown for good, where I know I'll find happiness and a sense of belonging.
I got to go home, got to go home
Leaving this city and returning home is the right decision for me and I can't wait to start this new chapter of my life.
Where the people are real, where people can feel
At home, I know I'll be surrounded by genuine, caring people who share my values and way of life.
Got to go down, got to go down
I need to return to my roots and the place where I feel most comfortable and at ease.
Leave here today on my way so long, so long
I'm leaving this city behind today and won't look back.
Going back home, going back home
I'm going home to the place where I belong and where I'll find true happiness and fulfillment.
Got to go home, got to go home
Going home is the only option for me and I know I won't regret it.
Got to go home, got to go home
There's no other choice for me but to go back home and start a new life there.
Where I, where I was born
My hometown is where I was born and raised, and where I'll find everything I need to be happy and content.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHESTER BURNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
THE BLACK GOD!!
Incredible Piece Of Art!!
Blues Sevenfold
I really love this song, a lot. It sounds a bit similar to Who's Been Talkin'. <3
A.T. Oliver
So, so great!!!😆
burak muslu
I discovered this song right after Who's Been Talkin' and thought i accidentally clicked on the same song. I really love this.
Titus Duru
Raw blues
Leonard Reyes
The Sins of my Father brought me here