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.
Moaning For My Baby
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you hear me howlin', calling on my darlin'
She's hot like red pepper, sweet like cherry wine
I'm so glad she love me, love me all the time
She's my little baby, sweet as she can be
All this love she's got, do belong to me
If you hear me howlin', calling on my darling
My baby, come on home, I love you, come on home
If you hear me howlin', calling on my darling
Every time she kiss me, she makes the lights go out
From early in the morning, she makes me jump and shout
This bad love she got, makes me laugh and cry
Makes me really know, that I'm too young to die
If you hear me howlin', calling on my darling
Come on, I love you, pretty baby
Howlin' Wolf's song "Howlin' for My Darling" is a blues love song that reflects the intense feelings of longing, desire, and affection for the singer's lover. The opening line of the song, "Pretty baby, come on home, I love you," sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is a plea for the singer's lover to return home and be by his side. The repetition of the line "If you hear me howlin', calling on my darlin'" creates a sense of urgency, as the singer yearns for his lover's return.
The second verse of the song describes the physical characteristics of the singer's lover, describing them as "hot like red pepper, sweet like cherry wine." The singer expresses how fortunate they feel to have their lover's love all the time, and they marvel at how sweet and lovable their "little baby" is. The bridge of the song features the repetition of the line "If you hear me howlin', calling on my darling" once again, reminding the listener of the singer's desperate need for their lover.
The final verse of the song describes the passionate and intense physical connection between the singer and their lover, with the singer recalling how their lover's kisses make "the lights go out." The last line of the song, "Come on, I love you, pretty baby," is a final plea for the singer's lover to return home and be with him.
Line by Line Meaning
Pretty baby, come on home, I love you
My beloved, please return to me. I cherish you very deeply.
If you hear me howlin', calling on my darlin'
When I cry out for my love, can you hear my plea?
She's hot like red pepper, sweet like cherry wine
Her beauty and passion intoxicate me like a spicy and sweet liquor.
I'm so glad she love me, love me all the time
I am fortunate that she loves me constantly and faithfully.
She's my little baby, sweet as she can be
She is my darling, so innocent and delightful.
All this love she's got, do belong to me
Her love is all mine, and no one else can claim it.
Every time she kiss me, she makes the lights go out
Whenever she touches me, I am overwhelmed with passion and ecstasy.
From early in the morning, she makes me jump and shout
My emotions are so intense that I cannot contain my excitement even at the beginning of the day.
This bad love she got, makes me laugh and cry
Her intense love for me elicits both joy and tears.
Makes me really know, that I'm too young to die
Her love gives me a profound sense of life and vitality, making me feel too young to die.
Come on, I love you, pretty baby
My love, I implore you to return to me. I adore you deeply.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: CHESTER BURNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stefan Wirz
... this is what The Bible (and other sources) tell me:
Chess 1695 (US 6/1958)
- Moanin' For My Baby (8775-1)
- I Didn't Know (8774)
originally unissued tracks from same session:
- Moanin' For My Baby (8775-3) [P-Vine PLP 6031, Chess CHD 2-9349]
- Moanin' For My Baby (8775-4) [Blue Night BN 073 1667, P-Vine PLP 6031, Chess CHD 2-9349]
rec. April 3, 1958 in Chicago, IL; Howlin' Wolf, voc, hca; Hosea Lee Kennard, p; Jody Williams, Hubert Sumlin, g; Alfred Elkins, b; Earl Phillips, dr
Howling Wolf discography at http://www.wirz.de/music/howlwolf.htm
Federico Ullo
Such a badass vocal performing. That riff is killer and the reverb excellent too.
Joe Flip
one of my favorites. if you listen to the different parts this is a crazy song.the piano and guitar are off the hook! the Wolf.accept no substitute
duane colbert
Joe Flip u are exactly right and the Sax is just right,barely blowing it,just enough to compliment the Song,good ear bro,i listen to it the same way my friend
Stefan Wirz
... this is what The Bible (and other sources) tell me:
Chess 1695 (US 6/1958)
- Moanin' For My Baby (8775-1)
- I Didn't Know (8774)
originally unissued tracks from same session:
- Moanin' For My Baby (8775-3) [P-Vine PLP 6031, Chess CHD 2-9349]
- Moanin' For My Baby (8775-4) [Blue Night BN 073 1667, P-Vine PLP 6031, Chess CHD 2-9349]
rec. April 3, 1958 in Chicago, IL; Howlin' Wolf, voc, hca; Hosea Lee Kennard, p; Jody Williams, Hubert Sumlin, g; Alfred Elkins, b; Earl Phillips, dr
Howling Wolf discography at http://www.wirz.de/music/howlwolf.htm
cadlagh1 Bill Kealy
Thank you Stefan....
Austin Pascarelli
The best!
ALAIN DEWAELE
thank for the sharing Bill !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shon Gorgeous
Thats sax is just right and so is the hard picking guitar.its not Hubert its wolfs first guitarist before Hubert Sumlin,i believe his name was Johnson if i remember correctly.Wolf orchestrated a great a great band.he was sho nuff a music man indeed~Duane Colbert~
Neil Haverstick
Just looked it up on a Chess CD...Hubert and Jody Williams on guitars.
Maggie Patkowski
That'd be Willie Johnson - but he also worked with Matt Murphy (from the Blues Brothers) before Hubert.