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.
Hidden Charms
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her looks can make you dance a jig
Her touch is so soft, her heart is so warm
What knocks me out is her hidden charms
Her voice is so soft, her love is so true
I think about her, that's all I do
She's weak and wanton in my arms
What moves me, darling, is your hidden charms
When I hold her in my arms
Brings out all of her hidden charms
Her kiss is so pure as the morning dew
A real gone love that's frightening, too
Her eyes that talk, they say come on
What kills me, baby, is your hidden charms
Hoo-wee, what a baby, hoo-wee, what a baby
When I hold you in my arms
Brings out all of your hidden charms
The song "Hidden Charms" by Howlin' Wolf is a tribute to the woman he loves, whose beauty and alluring qualities go beyond the physical realm. The first verse describes her physical appearance, starting with her sweet lips and big legs. But it is not just her looks that mesmerize the singer, it is her touch, her warm heart, and the secret attributes that make her alluring. In the second verse, the focus shifts to the woman's personality and the effect she has on the singer. He thinks about her all the time, and when he holds her in his arms, he feels the full force of her hidden charms. The singer reiterates this sentiment in the third verse, mentioning her kiss, pure as the morning dew, and her eyes that "talk" to him.
Ultimately, the song celebrates the woman's power over the singer, as he is helpless against her charm. He repeats the line "hoo-wee, what a baby" throughout the song, emphasizing his joy and affection for her. The lyrics also hint at a sexual relationship between the two, with the singer describing the woman as "weak and wanton" in his arms.
Overall, "Hidden Charms" is a love song that goes beyond the superficial, celebrating the complex and alluring qualities that make a person truly attractive.
Line by Line Meaning
Her lips are sweet, her legs are big
She has an attractive appearance encompassing sweet lips and noticeable large legs.
Her looks can make you dance a jig
She is so striking that people can't resist dancing upon seeing her.
Her touch is so soft, her heart is so warm
She is gentle to the touch and is very kind-hearted.
What knocks me out is her hidden charms
Despite her already attractive appearance and personality, there is something special and alluring that draws me in.
Her voice is so soft, her love is so true
Her voice is soothing and her love is genuine.
I think about her, that's all I do
She is always on my mind, occupying my every thought.
She's weak and wanton in my arms
When we're together, she becomes vulnerable and passionate.
What moves me, darling, is your hidden charms
What captivates me the most is the special, alluring quality she possesses.
Hoo-wee, what a baby, hoo-wee, what a baby
An expression of how irresistible and amazing she is.
When I hold her in my arms
When we're physically close, her alluring qualities become more apparent.
Brings out all of her hidden charms
Being in close proximity enhances and reveals her special and captivating nature.
Her kiss is so pure as the morning dew
Her kisses are like the morning dew; refreshing, genuine, and pure.
A real gone love that's frightening, too
The intensity and genuineness of our love can be both exhilarating and scary.
Her eyes that talk, they say come on
Her eyes are very expressive and invite you in.
What kills me, baby, is your hidden charms
What makes me fall in love with you even more are the special and alluring qualities that you possess.
Hoo-wee, what a baby, hoo-wee, what a baby
Reiterating how amazing and irresistible she is.
When I hold you in my arms
When we're physically close, her captivating nature becomes more apparent.
Brings out all of your hidden charms
Being physically close reveals and enhances the special and alluring qualities that she possesses.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Willie Dixon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anders Bjorlin
Hubert Sumlin's solo is one of the best in recorded history, regardless of genre. Every living person needs to hear this at least once. If you listen closely you can hear Chester almost laughing in awe right when the solo ends. Timeless.
Nicholas Becker
My favorite guitar solo
Keith Moon
Me too. No #..
Anthony Monaghan
@Joshua Dowling Amen
Anthony Monaghan
Truly great...a little bit of everything in that guitar solo. Hubert was a master.
sho komiya
hubert!!!
crowjanesghost
I love Hubert Sumlin. Very clean.
Jonny Spencer
What a guitar solo..just mad and fabulous
robert sjoberg
Absolutely! One the things I like about Hubert, is he didn't sound like anyone else, just himself.
Brian Lindau
Absolutely beautiful , legend.