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.
Love Me Darlin'
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because it won't be long before our true love will be through
Woh tell me darlin', am I right, am I wrong?
I said tell me darlin', am I right, am I wrong?
I'm determined to know, little girl you comin' home
Come on home baby
Don't want anything from you but be your lovin' man
Now tell me darlin', may I have a talk with you?
Because the words I have to tell you, they will linger through the years
I love you, Honey
Woh tell me darlin', may I have a talk with you?
Because it won't be long before our true love will be through
In Howlin' Wolf's blues song "Love Me Darlin'," the singer is imploring his lover to talk to him and reassure him of her feelings. He is worried that their love is fading and wants to know if he is right or wrong in his suspicions. He vows to do anything to be her loving man and just wants honesty and clarity in their relationship. The repetition of "tell me darlin'" emphasizes his desperation for answers and his deep love for his partner.
The lyrics highlight the vulnerability and insecurity that can come with love. The singer is uncertain of his place in his lover's heart and is afraid of losing her. At the same time, he is willing to do whatever it takes to keep their relationship alive. The raw emotion in the song is representative of the traditional blues genre, which was often used to express pain, heartache, and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Woh tell me darlin', may I have a talk with you?
Can we have a conversation, my love?
Because it won't be long before our true love will be through
Our love won't last much longer.
Woh tell me darlin', am I right, am I wrong?
Can you tell me if I'm correct or mistaken?
I said tell me darlin', am I right, am I wrong?
Please let me know if I'm right or wrong.
I'm determined to know, little girl you comin' home
I want to know if you're coming home.
Come on home baby
Please come home to me.
Now, now listen to me baby, while I hold your hand
Listen to me while I hold your hand, my love.
Don't want anything from you but be your lovin' man
I don't want anything but to be your loving partner.
Now tell me darlin', may I have a talk with you?
Can we have a conversation, my love?
Because the words I have to tell you, they will linger through the years
What I have to say will be remembered for years to come.
I love you, Honey
I love you, my dear.
Woh tell me darlin', may I have a talk with you?
Can we have a conversation, my love?
Because it won't be long before our true love will be through
Our love won't last much longer.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHESTER BURNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RICKY DEAN
First time hearing this version!! I only knew the cover from Stevie Ray on his IN STEP 1989 cd...this is ROCKIN!!!
Reg Up
I love Howlin' Wolf!
Reg Up
Beautiful song Howlin' Wolf!
EcClair Mayo
Starts off so strong and won't let you go! His slower rendition is beautiful too
Tony Freeman
Pinch me I think I think I slipped off to heaven.
Anthony Nassar
Hair-raising!
Douglas Paterson
The godfather of heavy metal!