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.
I'm Leaving You
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby don't know, just how soon
But I'm leavin' you
Woman I've got to put you down
Well if you can't treat me right
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
Well you told me that you love me
You cross your heart to die
I'm leavin' you
Woman I got to put you down
Girl if you can't treat me right
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
Well early in the mornin' before I rise
You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
You's a mean little thing, meanest woman I ever seen
No matter how I try to treat you right
Still you's a mean little thing
Well you told me that you love me
You cross your heart to die
But I found out, baby, bye bye
I'm leavin'
Woman I got to put you down
Well if you can't treat me right
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
Well early in the morning before I rise
You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
You's a mean little thing
Mean little thing as you can be
Well if you can't treat me right
Still you's a mean little thing
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
The song "I'm Leavin' You" by Howlin' Wolf is a classic blues song that explores the theme of a man leaving his woman due to mistreatment. The lyrics convey a sense of disappointment and betrayal as the singer realizes that his partner has not been faithful to him despite her promises. The song expresses his frustration and sadness at having to leave the woman he loves, but also his determination to end the relationship and move on.
The opening lines of the song, "Maybe in the mornin', I don't know, baby don't know just how soon, but I'm leavin' you" suggest a sense of uncertainty and hesitation on the part of the singer. He is not sure when he will leave, but he knows that it is inevitable. The following lines, "Woman I've got to put you down, well if you can't treat me right, ain't no use for me hangin' around" make it clear that the decision to leave is a result of the woman's mistreatment of him. He cannot continue to be with someone who does not treat him with the love and respect he deserves.
The chorus, "Well you told me that you love me, you cross your heart to die, but I found out that wasn't so, I'm leavin' you" is a poignant reminder of the woman's broken promises. The singer has been led to believe that she loves him, but he has discovered that this was not the case. Despite his disappointment, he acknowledges that he has no choice but to leave her.
Line by Line Meaning
Well maybe in the mornin', I don't know
I am unsure of the exact time frame, but it could be in the morning when I leave you.
Baby don't know, just how soon
I am unsure of the exact timing for my departure either.
But I'm leavin' you
I am definitely planning on leaving you.
Woman I've got to put you down
You have been causing me pain and I need to end our relationship.
Well if you can't treat me right
If you cannot treat me with the respect I deserve, there is no point in me staying.
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
I have decided that it is time for me to move on.
Well you told me that you love me
You claimed to love me at one point.
You cross your heart to die
You swore it on your own life.
But I found out that wasn't so
I discovered that your claim of love was untrue.
Woman I got to put you down
I must break up with you as a result of your dishonesty.
Girl if you can't treat me right
If you cannot treat me with the respect I deserve.
Well early in the mornin' before I rise
I am leaving you even if it has to be very early in the morning.
You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
You give me a certain look in your eyes that shows your true nature.
You's a mean little thing, meanest woman I ever seen
You are a very mean person, the meanest I have ever encountered.
No matter how I try to treat you right
I have made great efforts to treat you well.
Still you's a mean little thing
Yet, you have done nothing to improve your behavior.
You's a mean little thing
Mean little thing as you can be
You are a very mean person, without any redeemable qualities.
I'm leavin'
I am definitely planning on leaving you.
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
I want to emphasize that I am leaving and will not be changing my mind.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Chester Burnett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ilovemycat9790
Well maybe in the mornin', I don't know
Baby don't know, just how soon
But I'm leavin' you
Woman I've got to put you down
Well if you can't treat me right
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
Well you told me that you love me
You cross your heart to die
But I found out that wasn't so
I'm leavin' you
Woman I got to put you down
Girl if you can't treat me right
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
Well early in the mornin' before I rise
You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
You's a mean little thing, meanest woman I ever seen
No matter how I try to treat you right
Still you's a mean little thing
Well you told me that you love me
You cross your heart to die
But I found out, baby, bye bye
I'm leavin'
Woman I got to put you down
Well if you can't treat me right
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
Well early in the morning before I rise
You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
You's a mean little thing
Mean little thing as you can be
Well if you can't treat me right
Still you's a mean little thing
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
@ilovemycat9790
Well maybe in the mornin', I don't know
Baby don't know, just how soon
But I'm leavin' you
Woman I've got to put you down
Well if you can't treat me right
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
Well you told me that you love me
You cross your heart to die
But I found out that wasn't so
I'm leavin' you
Woman I got to put you down
Girl if you can't treat me right
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
Well early in the mornin' before I rise
You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
You's a mean little thing, meanest woman I ever seen
No matter how I try to treat you right
Still you's a mean little thing
Well you told me that you love me
You cross your heart to die
But I found out, baby, bye bye
I'm leavin'
Woman I got to put you down
Well if you can't treat me right
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
Well early in the morning before I rise
You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
You's a mean little thing
Mean little thing as you can be
Well if you can't treat me right
Still you's a mean little thing
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
@Mr_Wonk
classic tune, the bass is off the charts
@smokey72444
That bass gives me chills,love it
@patponcejr4519
Ive heard many songs in life. But fuck me running , this song is untouchable. One of the best of all time
@bcollins3562
Great blues
@Goatchild90
Great Blues
@genzhours9466
Here to do homework and feeling a strange sensation of strong, male empowerment, despite not being male
@costumeninja1914
💪💪💪
@CS-zj8ex
🤣
@omfggetmeoffthisearth9954
Im here for online class but ngl i like this song-