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.
Passing By Blues
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
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Well, somebody knocking on my door
Well, I'm so worried, don't know where to go
Well, somebody calling me, calling on my telephone
Well, somebody calling me, over my telephone
Well, keep on calling, tell them I'm not at home
The lyrics to Howlin' Wolf's "Passing By Blues" convey a sense of anxiety and unease. The opening line "Well, somebody knocking on my door" suggests an unwanted visitor or an unexpected interruption. The repetition of the line throughout the song creates a sense of urgency and a feeling of being trapped. The second line "Well, somebody knocking on my door" adds to this feeling, emphasizing the unwelcome intrusion. The line "Well, I'm so worried, don't know where to go" conveys a sense of helplessness and uncertainty, as the singer is unsure how to handle the situation.
The second verse introduces a new element with the line "Well, somebody calling me, calling on my telephone." This further amplifies the sense of intrusion and increases the singer's sense of being trapped. The repetition of the line "Well, keep on calling, tell them I'm not at home" creates a feeling of desperation and a need for escape. The final verse offers a glimmer of hope with the line "Well, don't not worry, Daddy has gone to bed." This suggests that the unwanted visitor or caller has left, and there is a moment of relief.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of tension and unease, highlighting the feeling of being trapped and unable to escape from an unwanted intrusion. The repetition of the lines creates a sense of urgency and desperation, emphasizing the difficulty of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, somebody knocking on my door
There's a person knocking on my door
Well, I'm so worried, don't know where to go
I'm very anxious and unsure of what to do
Well, somebody calling me, calling on my telephone
My phone is ringing and someone is calling me
Well, keep on calling, tell them I'm not at home
Despite the continuous ringing, inform them that I am not available
Well, don't not worry, Daddy has gone to bed
There's no need to be concerned, as the person they are trying to reach is asleep
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: CHESTER BURNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind