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.
Rockin' Daddy
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes they call me the rocker, I can rock you all night long
I can let you down easy, when I think your money's gone
I can rock you easy, don't want you to hesitate
I can rock you easy, don't want you to hesitate
I can let you down easy, like-a like jelly on a plate
Some twistin' and shakin', don't mean a thing to me
Some twistin' and the shakes, don't mean a thing to me
They call me the rocker, I can really rock a while
They call me the rocker, I can really rock a while
With a real gone mama, don't let me fake your style
I can rock you easy, you don't want to hesitate
I can rock you easy, you don't want to hesitate
I can let you down easy, like jelly on a plate
In Rockin' Daddy, Howlin' Wolf proclaims himself as the ultimate "rocker" who can "rock you all night long". He compares himself to jelly on a plate, implying that he can let his listener down easy. The song is a classic blues number, with a pumping rhythm and bluesy guitar riffs.
The lyrics are filled with sexual innuendos about his ability to please a woman. He sings about how he can rock his partner all night long without hesitation. He also proclaims that he can shake his hips like a willow tree, suggesting that he has mastered the art of seduction. His lyrics are playful and suggestive, and he clearly enjoys provocation.
The song was released in 1957 and became a hit in the blues circuit. It was later covered by many other artists, including Eric Clapton, who performed the song with his band Cream. The popularity of the song has endured, and it remains a classic example of the Chicago blues sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes they call me the rocker, I can rock you all night long
I'm known as the rocker because I can keep the music going all night long
I can let you down easy, when I think your money's gone
If I see that you're running low on cash, I won't push you too hard and will let you down gently
I can rock you easy, don't want you to hesitate
I don't want you to be afraid to dance with me, I'll make it easy for you
I can let you down easy, like-a like jelly on a plate
I can be as smooth and gentle as jelly on a plate when it's time to stop dancing
Some twistin' and shakin', don't mean a thing to me
Just because you're twisting and shaking it doesn't impress me
I'm a hip shakin' daddy, I can shake like a willow tree
I'm not impressed with your moves, but I am a great dancer and can move like a willow tree blowing in the wind
They call me the rocker, I can really rock a while
I'm called the rocker because I can dance for an extended period of time without getting tired
With a real gone mama, don't let me fake your style
If you're a great dancer, don't be afraid to show me your style and impress me
I can let you down easy, like jelly on a plate
If it's time to stop dancing, I can be just as smooth and gentle as jelly on a plate
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHESTER BURNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind