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.
Little Baby
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll go and I'll come with you little baby
You'll go and I'll come with you
You'll bet your life that I won't quit you
You'll go and I'll come with you little baby
You'll go to court
And I'll come along
You'll go to jail
You got time
Tell you what I'll do
I'll stay outside and wait for you
You'll go and I'll come with you little baby
You'll go and I'll come with you little baby
You'll go and I'll come with you
You'll bet your life that I won't quit you
You'll go and I'll come with you little baby
You'll go to church
And I'll go there too
You'll go to work
I'll tell you what I do
You'll get paid
I'll hold the money
I'll be right there to protect you honey
You'll go and I'll come with you little baby
You'll go and I'll come with you little baby
You'll go and I'll come with you
You'll bet your life that I won't quit you
You'll go and I'll come with you little baby
You'll get the fair
And I'll go to show
You'll bet the horses
And I'll pick up the dough
You work hard
Hurt my pride
I'll be right there by your side
You'll go and I'll come with you little baby
You'll go and I'll come with you little baby
You'll go and I'll come with you
You'll bet your life that I won't quit you
You'll go and I'll come with you little baby
Ooh, little baby
Ooh, little baby
Ooh, little baby
The lyrics of "Little Baby" by Howlin' Wolf seem to portray a loyal and devoted partner who promises to stick by his lover through thick and thin. The repeated refrain "You'll go and I'll come with you little baby" suggests that the singer is willing to follow his partner wherever she goes, even if it means going to unpleasant places like court or jail. He promises to be her support system and protector, whether it's holding her money or picking up the dough after betting on horses. This message of loyalty and commitment is reinforced by the line "You'll bet your life that I won't quit you" which seems to indicate that the singer is in this relationship for the long haul, no matter what challenges may arise.
One possible interpretation of this song is that it was written in the context of the economic and social hardships faced by African American communities during the Great Depression. The idea of one partner following the other wherever they may go, and sticking by them through thick and thin, reflects the resilience and resourcefulness that many Black families had to develop during this time. Perhaps the song is meant to convey a message of solidarity and mutual support in the face of poverty, discrimination, and other challenges that may have threatened the stability of relationships and families.
Overall, "Little Baby" is a simple yet powerful blues song that uses repetition and a catchy melody to convey a message of loyalty, devotion, and mutual support. The singer's willingness to follow his partner wherever she goes, and his promise to be her protector no matter what, creates a sense of intimacy and connection that is both comforting and inspiring.
Line by Line Meaning
You'll go and I'll come with you little baby
I will follow you wherever you go, my little baby
You'll bet your life that I won't quit you
I promise to never quit or abandon you, no matter what happens
You'll go to court
And I'll come along
If you ever have to go to court, I will be there to support you
You'll go to jail
And I'll throw your bond
Even if you end up in jail, I'll help you get out by paying your bond
You got time
Tell you what I'll do
I'll stay outside and wait for you
If you need time to yourself, I'll give it to you, but I'll be waiting for you when you're ready
You'll go to church
And I'll go there too
I'll support you in your religious beliefs and join you in going to church
You'll go to work
I'll tell you what I do
You'll get paid
I'll hold the money
I'll be right there to protect you honey
I'll take care of the money you earn and make sure you're protected at all times while you work
You'll get the fair
And I'll go to show
You'll bet the horses
And I'll pick up the dough
If you want to go to the fair or bet on horses, I'll support you and help you collect any winnings
You work hard
Hurt my pride
I'll be right there by your side
Even if your hard work hurts my pride, I'll still stand by your side and support you
Ooh, little baby
Expressing affection towards the little baby in the song
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: Willie Dixon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
eoj2495
Howlin Wolf’s music will live on forever!
bluesatsunset
Pioneer of all things music. Hubert Sumlin was a big part of that. Wolf didn't compromise...Get it right or get out. Legend of the blues - still keepin' the blues alive.
Scott R
Willie Dixon is one of the least known musical legends in history. Howlin' Wolf singing Willie Dixon is electric.
The Dark Messiah
The Greatest: Chester "Howlin` Wolf" Burnett! His influence on popular music is so underrated.
No "Stones", no fucken, generic, R n` B, without him!
Ka
love this song
Harry Wang
what a voice
Vladimir Sánchez
Master of the blues..
CharlesDavidPollock
this deserves more views!
Jurgis Gaizauskas
You bet your life, i won't quit 🤠
James Agar
Is it just me or is the riff similar to Little Village by Sonny Boy Williamson?