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.
Ooh Baby Hold Me
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you squeeze me baby, you make me holler whoa, whoa, whoa
Back in my mind, I wonder what ya' doin' to me
When you squeeze me baby, holler whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
When you squeeze me baby, you make me holler whoa, whoa, whoa
Back in my mind baby, what are ya' doin' to me sugar
You're a good lookin woman, you're as sweet as you can be
You is a good lookin woman, you sweet as you can be
I holler whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
I holler whoa baby, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Back in my mind baby, what are ya' doin' to me
Got me hollerin'
Got me hollerin'
The lyrics of Howlin' Wolf's "Ooh Baby" describe a physical and emotional reaction to the touch of a woman. The singer is overwhelmed by the sensation of being squeezed by her and is left wondering what she is doing to him. The repetition of "holler whoa, whoa, whoa" and "back in my mind baby, what are ya' doin' to me" further emphasizes his confusion and desire for an explanation. The woman is described as a good-looking, sweet person, but there is an underlying tension between them as the singer grapples with the effects of her touch.
The song is a celebration of physical pleasure, but it also highlights the power dynamic between men and women. The woman's touch has a profound effect on the singer, leaving him powerless and confused. The lyrics suggest that he cannot control his reaction to her touch and is at the mercy of her actions. This dynamic is further reinforced through the repetition of "whoa" and "got me hollerin'" which suggest a loss of control and submission to the woman's touch.
Overall, "Ooh Baby" is a song that captures the conflicting feelings of desire, pleasure, and powerlessness that can arise from physical attraction. The lyrics and music of the song create a mood of sensuality and give voice to the intense feelings that can be generated by physical touch.
Line by Line Meaning
When you squeeze me baby, you make me holler whoa, whoa, whoa
Your touch is so intense that it makes me scream out in pleasure and pain.
Back in my mind, I wonder what ya' doin' to me
I can't stop thinking about the effect you have on me.
When you squeeze me baby, holler whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Your physical touch causes a reaction in me that is both intense and pleasurable, making me scream out.
You're a good lookin woman, you're as sweet as you can be
You are an attractive and kind woman.
Back in my mind baby, what is ya' doin' to me
I am constantly wondering about what kind of an effect you have on me.
I holler whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
You excite me so much that I can't help but scream out.
I holler whoa baby, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Your touch is so intense that it makes me scream out in pleasure and pain.
Got me hollerin'
You have me making loud noises of pleasure and pain because of how much you excite me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Chester Burnett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind