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 Burnettâsuch as "Smokestack Lightnin'", "Back Door Man", "Killing Floor" and "Spoonful"âhave 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 Ain't Superstitious
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, I ain't superstitious, but a black cat just crossed my trail
Don't sweep me with no broom, I might get put in jail
When my right hand itches, I gets money for sure
When my right hand itches, I gets money for sure
But when my left eye jumps, somebody's got to go
Well, I ain't superstitious, black cat just crossed my trail
Don't sweep me with no broom, I just might get put in jail
Well, the dogs are howlin', all over the neighborhood
Whoa, the dogs are howlin', all over the neighborhood
That is true sign of death, baby, that ain't no good
Well, I'm not superstitious, but a black cat up n' cross my trail
Well, I'm not superstitious, a black cat up n' cross my trail
Don't sweep me with no broom, I just might get put in jail
Bad luck for me
We can see right away that "I Ain't Superstitious" is a song about superstitions. Howlin' Wolf begins by saying that he isn't superstitious, yet he mentions that a black cat just crossed his path, which is believed by many to be a sign of bad luck. He goes on to say that if someone sweeps him with a broom, he might get put in jail. This is a superstition that claims if someone sweeps you with a broom, it will bring bad luck or misfortune upon you. Wolf seems to be aware of these superstitions and wants no part in them.
Next, he describes his own superstitions, like how when his right hand itches, he's sure to get money. This is a common superstition that people believe in many parts of the world. On the other hand, when his left eye jumps, somebody's got to go. This is another superstition that claims when your eye twitches, it's a sign of either good or bad things to come. For Wolf, it means bad things are coming.
Finally, he references the howling dogs in the neighborhood as a true sign of death. This again is a common superstition that many people believe in different cultures. Overall, the song is a commentary on the power of superstitions and how they can impact people's daily lives, whether they believe in them or not.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I ain't superstitious, black cat just crossed my trail
Though I claim not to believe in omens, the appearance of a black cat is traditionally seen as a bad sign.
Well, I ain't superstitious, but a black cat just crossed my trail
Even though I dismiss superstitions, this occurrence still troubles me as it suggests misfortune might follow.
Don't sweep me with no broom, I might get put in jail
I believe that if you partake in certain actions like sweeping, it could cause me bad luck, or even bring about unforeseen consequences.
When my right hand itches, I gets money for sure
An itchy right hand is often interpreted as a sign that I'll soon receive unexpected financial gain.
When my right hand itches, I gets money for sure
This repeated belief reinforces my expectation of good fortune linked to this particular sensation.
But when my left eye jumps, somebody's got to go
Conversely, an involuntary twitch in my left eye signals impending loss or the departure of someone significant.
Well, I ain't superstitious, black cat just crossed my trail
Once again, I reassure that I donât hold superstitions dear, despite the unsettling omen of the black cat.
Well, I ain't superstitious, black cat just crossed my trail
Reiterating my disbelief in omens, I still feel the weight of this sign that predicts trouble may come my way.
Don't sweep me with no broom, I just might get put in jail
A warning that any trivial act perceived as bad luck could lead to serious repercussions or misfortune for me.
Well, the dogs are howlin', all over the neighborhood
The eerie sounds of dogs howling around me signal something ominous happening in the community.
Whoa, the dogs are howlin', all over the neighborhood
The persistence of their howling suggests that thereâs a heightened sense of unease regarding death or tragedy.
That is true sign of death, baby, that ain't no good
The howling is widely regarded as a direct indicator of approaching death, signifying an imminent loss that is unwelcome.
Well, I'm not superstitious, but a black cat up n' cross my trail
Again addressing my stance on superstitions, the crossing of the black cat still invokes feelings of dread within me.
Well, I'm not superstitious, a black cat up n' cross my trail
Despite my claims against superstition, the mere presence of this creature haunts my thoughts with fear of unfortunate events.
Don't sweep me with no broom, I just might get put in jail
Emphasizing the notion that seemingly innocuous actions, possibly related to superstitions, could result in dire consequences for me.
Bad luck for me
I acknowledge that I feel a cloud of misfortune hanging over me, as if fate is conspiring against my well-being.
Lyrics Š BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Willie Dixon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@IndiGeaux
Well, I ain't superstitious, black cat just cross my trail
Well, I ain't superstitious, oh the black cat just cross my trail
Don't sweep me with no broom, I might get put in jail
When my right hand itches, I gets money for sure
When my right hand itches, I gets money for sure
But, when my left eye jumps, somebody's got to go
Well, I ain't superstitious, black cat just cross my trail
Well, I ain't superstitious, black cat just cross my trail
Don't sweep me with no broom, I just might get put in jail
Well, the dogs are howlin', all over the neighborhood
Whoa, the dogs are howlin', all over the neighborhood
That is true sign of death, baby, that ain't no good
Well, I'm not superstitious, blow that black cat across my trail
Well, I'm not superstitious, a black cat across my trail
Don't sweep me with no broom, I just might get put in jail
That's bad luck for me
@eddie7664
Been a Megadeth fan for 35 years and never listened to the original until now...great stuff
@darienhockley2084
There's a Megadeth version???
@peacesells3206
@@darienhockley2084 yes, in peace sells but who's buying. here it's https://youtu.be/9YN4vBsiN2w
@christressel9952
I just bought this vinal from a vinal record and headshop. Also have 8 Megadeth album ans M.D 45
@kathreptis
@@darienhockley2084 How you don't know about it?
@joshhamon1205
Interesting I'll have to check it out
@jerrysavage8607
This dude was singing way before I was born, but I love his music. One of the greatest blues singers in the history of blues.
@nedflanders5302
Megadeth brought me here, post my exposure to Jeff Beck, post my viewing of Casino... currently my drinking rum.
@fernandoventurachavez4060
Hahahahahs, I was drinkin' rum An hour about, I 'm drinkin beer and tequila right now
@nedflanders5302
@@fernandoventurachavez4060 Smooth sailing, friend. đ¤