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.
Poor Boy
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a poor boy, I'm a long way from home
What the others do, the world can't do me no harm
I'm a poor boy, a long way from home
Babe I can't stay here long, babe I can't stay here long
What the others do, the world can't do me no harm
I'm a poor boy, I'm a long way from home
Well my, baby's dead and gone
Well, well, well, well I'm a long way from home
I'm a poor boy, I'm a long way from home
And the world, can't do me no harm
And the world, can't do me no harm
Oh , no no no no, I'm a long way from home
World can't do me no harm
World can't do me no harm
World can't do me no harm
In Howlin' Wolf's song Poor Boy, the lyrics follow a typical blues structure that recounts the singer's personal struggle with life's hardships. The opening lines introduce us to the singer as a poor boy who is far away from home. The following lines imply a sense of detachment from societal norms as the singer declares that what the others do, the world can't do him no harm. The repetition of this line emphasizes his self-reliant and uncompromising spirit.
The second verse announces the singer's imminent departure, likely for financial reasons or an impending threat. The song's melancholic overtones become even more poignant when the singer mentions his baby's death. This could have been a reference to an actual loss or a metaphor for the loss of something precious in life. Regardless, the singer's lament highlights the isolation he feels as a poor boy who has lost his love and is far from home. He concludes the song by reiterating that the world can't do him no harm, despite the circumstances that surround him.
Overall, Poor Boy is a poignant and emotive song that evokes a sense of hopelessness, but also celebrates the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a poor boy, I'm a long way from home
As a poverty-stricken person who is far away from his birthplace, I feel alone and lost in this world.
What the others do, the world can't do me no harm
I am unaffected by the actions of others and have the resilience to withstand any hardship that comes my way.
Babe I can't stay here long, babe I can't stay here long
I know that I have to leave soon and cannot stay here for an extended period of time.
Well my, baby's dead and gone
My significant other has passed away, and I am grieving their loss.
Well, well, well, well I'm a long way from home
I am continuously reminded that I am far from my birthplace and my loved ones.
And the world, can't do me no harm
Regardless of what happens in this world, I am not afraid to face it head-on.
Oh , no no no no, I'm a long way from home
I feel the pain of being far from my birthplace and my loved ones and cannot help but feel lost.
World can't do me no harm
I am confident in myself and my ability to handle anything that comes my way, no matter how difficult it may be.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: VERA MATSON, ELVIS PRESLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
famico triztech
This song is a proof these guys took the blues on another level
famico triztech
Oh by the way,yes it is 2021
Orlando Ramirez
My brother asked me along time ago to play this at his death bed. Two weeks ago, I followed through with his request. RIP bro I'll miss you. #a long way from home
Turehu Patupaiarehe
Many wishes of respect from aotearoa to your familja my friend, i bet he is savouring every dusty Mississippi note as he rides into the eternal cosmos.
Jeff Eurobikenut
So sorry to hear that you lost your brother. Your brother had a great taste in music. God bless you and I hope that you can find peace. I lost my stpson three months ago. The grief is real.
Inukshuk67
Love that croaking, crocodile voice of Howlin' Wolf belting it out like no one else can.
John Dough
so damn soulful and powerful, howlin wolf is the greatest artist and most underrated.
Mr. Bones BBQ
Pardon my language, but Oh Fuck Yeah!!!!
Wolf is one of my biggest heroes, many thanks fer postin this up!!!
howlingsandy
Happy Hundredth Birthday (6/10) Wolf, dear friend, mentor, music teacher and collaborator. Howl on Wolf!
donald clark
Been looking for this version for a while