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.
Natchez Burning
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
that happened way down in Natchez Mississippi town
Did you ever hear about the burning,
that happened way down in Natchez Mississippi town
Those buildings got to burning, there's my baby layin'on the ground
Charlotte Jones was there, Luiza was there,
Rosie Mae was there, Louise was there
Did you ever hear about the burning,
I stood back, was lookin', and the old building come tumble down
The Natchez Burning is a blues song that highlights a heartbreaking event that happened in Natchez, Mississippi. The lyrics bring to light an incident in which a fire broke out in the town and several buildings were engulfed in flames, leading to the death of the singer's loved one. The song opens with the lyrics "Did you ever hear about the burning, that happened way down in Natchez Mississippi town?" This line sets the tone for the entire song, as the events of the burning are central to its theme. The mention of the singer's baby being found dead amidst the rubble of the burnt buildings heightens the emotional intensity of the song.
The lyrics also mention several names - Charlotte Jones, Luiza, Rosie Mae, and Louise - which seems to indicate that they were also present during the burning. The singer observes the tragic event and the devastation caused by the fire, "I stood back, was lookin', and the old building come tumble down." These words, expressed through pain and frustration, are emblematic of the helplessness and sorrow that the singer feels.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you ever hear about the burning,
Have you ever heard of the tragic fire that occurred?
that happened way down in Natchez Mississippi town
in the southern town of Natchez, Mississippi?
Those buildings got to burning, there's my baby layin'on the ground
The buildings caught fire, and unfortunately, my loved one was found dead among the rubble.
Charlotte Jones was there, Luiza was there,
Two people, Charlotte Jones and Luiza, were present at the time of the fire.
Rosie Mae was there, Louise was there
Additionally, two other individuals, Rosie Mae and Louise, were also present.
Did you ever hear about the burning,
Once again, have you heard of this tragic event?
that happened way down in Natchez Mississippi town
Just to reiterate, this fire occurred in Natchez, Mississippi.
I stood back, was lookin', and the old building come tumble down
I watched from a distance as the burning building ultimately collapsed.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: WILLIE DIXON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Danny Brackett
Howlin Wolf is a legend RIP my brotha!! 🙏🏿
purkasz
I moved to Natchez in Summer of 1964 and got me a job on the radio on WNAT just to get closer to this tune. Now here it comes again. The big circle.
Natalie Kimbro
I was born in Natchez, as was my father and my stepfather. Do you know the Kimbros? My dad was Ray Kimbro and my uncle is Rosco on the Radio, a dj on a local radio station. Love my Natchez Roots. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee. Love going back to Natchez and performing with my Natchez people!
Raarotongaa Ruffin
HOWLIN' WOLF, WONDERFUL VOICE !!!!!!! JUST GREAT !!!!!!!
Larry DuVall
this is taj mahal with canned heat
Larry DuVall
sorry i was wrong i was listening to another song this is the wolf, chester arthur burnett
Raarotongaa Ruffin
Larry DuVall YES, THIS IS THE WOLF....SALUT.
Eugene Gubbard
One of his best imo
Jerome Sears
I love this song. But I hate what happened.
A.T. Oliver
Wow...!!!