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.
Killing Floor
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I should have quit you, babe, long time ago
I should have quit you, and went on to Mexico
If I had-a followed my first mind
If I had-a followed my first mind
I'd been gone, since my second time
I shoulda went on, when my friend come from Mexico at me
I shoulda went on, when my friend come from Mexico at me
But no, I was foolin' with ya, baby, I let ya put me on the killin' floor
Lord knows, I shoulda been gone
Lord knows, I shoulda been gone
And I wouldn't have been here, down on the killin' floor
Yeah
In the song, "Killing Floor," Howlin' Wolf sings about a relationship that has gone wrong. He realizes that he should have ended it a long time ago, but he didn't. The line "I should have quit you, a long time ago" is repeated several times throughout the song to emphasize the regret that he feels. He also mentions that he should have gone to Mexico, implying that leaving the relationship entirely would have been a better option.
He reflects on the moments when he first realized that the relationship was not working and how he should have followed his instincts. However, he stayed with the person, and as a result, he ended up on the "killing floor." This term refers to the space where musicians would perform in front of a live audience in blues clubs. But in this context, it is a metaphor for the pain and hurt that the singer is experiencing in the relationship.
The "killing floor" is also a place where animals are slaughtered, which adds to the dark and violent tone of the song. The lyrics reveal a sense of helplessness and despair as the singer faces the consequences of staying in a toxic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I should have quit you, a long time ago
I should have stopped being involved with you a while back
I should have quit you, babe, long time ago
I should have stopped being involved with you, darling, a while back
I should have quit you, and went on to Mexico
I should have stopped being involved with you and left to go somewhere else, like Mexico
If I had-a followed my first mind
If I had listened to my initial thoughts and feelings
If I had-a followed my first mind
If I had listened to my initial thoughts and feelings
I'd been gone, since my second time
I would have left you after my second experience with you
I shoulda went on, when my friend come from Mexico at me
I should have left when my friend came to me from Mexico
I shoulda went on, when my friend come from Mexico at me
I should have left when my friend came to me from Mexico
But no, I was foolin' with ya, baby, I let ya put me on the killin' floor
But instead, I was playing around with you, dear, and allowed you to put me in a dangerous situation
Lord knows, I shoulda been gone
God knows I should have left
Lord knows, I shoulda been gone
God knows I should have left
And I wouldn't have been here, down on the killin' floor
If I had left, I wouldn't be in this dangerous place
Yeah
Yes
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Chester Burnett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@renevanrijckevorsel6361
The reason iam listening this is because of EZ MALONE from north carolina.
@christophershields217
Same
@ricagbo8586
Me too. From Facebook
@kirkpedrero5340
Me too
@presingoll1
And me!
@meganrinkenberger2514
Same
@MrMuzikProductions
The monster. Howling Wolf was the monster of Rock ‘N Roll. A genius, and the greatest blues singer of all time. Just ask any British group, especially Eric Clapton and that blues cover band called Led Zeppelin. Shame on this 135 who gave this man a thumbs down. Why?
@teddywalter3886
This man deserves so much more credit for his roll in music history, great tune
@rhdhehv4749
agreed
@apolloptx
*role.