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.
Sittin' On Top of the World
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She went away
She gone an left me
She gone to stay
But now she gone
An' I don't worry
'Cause I'm sittin' on top of the world
And worked all the fall
I had to take my Christmas
In my over-halls*
But now she's gone
An' I don't worry
Because I'm sittin' on top of the world
Goin' down to the freight yard
Just to meet a freight train
I'm gon' leave this town
Work has done gotten too hard
But now she's gone
And I don't worry
Because I'm sittin' on top of the world
One summer day
She went away
She gone an left me
She gone to stay
But now she gone
And I don't worry
Because I'm sittin' on top of the world
The Howlin' Wolf's Sittin' On Top of the World is a classic blues song that revolves around lost love and its aftermath. The song describes a man who has lost his love, and she has gone away, leaving him sad and heartbroken. However, the man is not troubled by the woman's sudden departure because he has found solace in being on top of the world. He brags about working hard during the summer and fall and having to take his Christmas in his overalls. Although he admits that life is tough, he is proud of the hard work he has put in to achieve his goal. The song's simple repetition of the phrase "She gone an left me" highlights the man's distress at the woman's departure.
The song is a classic blues tune, characterized by the use of the AAB song structure, where the first line is repeated twice, followed by a rhyming line. It also features typical blues instrumentation, including the use of the harmonica and guitar that creates a unique and mournful sound that showcases the singer's anguish. The song's sense of loss and yearning is further emphasized by the repeating melody of the harmonica.
Line by Line Meaning
One summer day
On a summer day, an important event occurred.
She went away
Someone he cares about left him.
She gone an left me
She left me behind, by choice.
She gone to stay
She's not coming back.
But now she gone
Despite her departure, I am not worried or affected by it anymore.
An' I don't worry
I am completely at peace, and not anxious or distressed over her leaving.
'Cause I'm sittin' on top of the world
My situation is excellent, and my life is improving.
Works all the summer
I labored hard throughout the summer.
And worked all the fall
I continued to work hard through autumn.
I had to take my Christmas
My work was so demanding, I had to take Christmas working.
In my over-halls*
I wore my work overalls even on Christmas.
Goin' down to the freight yard
I'm heading to the freight yard, maybe to catch a train, possibly to leave town.
Just to meet a freight train
It's possible that I am aiming to escape the trials of life by hitching on a freight train.
I'm gon' leave this town
I am determined to leave this town, which holds no promise for me anymore.
Work has done gotten too hard
The work has become unbearable, to the point of unbearable to the singer.
Because I'm sittin' on top of the world
Despite her departure and the workload, I am still enjoying a happy, rewarding life.
One summer day
The one summer day that changed everything.
She went away
The event that started everything and led to his self-discovery.
She gone an left me
She ripped my heart apart by leaving me.
She gone to stay
She's made up her mind and is going to stay away, dooming our relationship.
But now she gone
She ultimately made me realize my own strength and freed me from the prison I had been in.
And I don't worry
My spirits have been lifted and I am no longer troubled by her departure.
'Cause I'm sittin' on top of the world
I've moved on and now I'm happy, contented, and successful in my own right.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Word Collections Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chester Burnett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@murph5438
The Wolf was a monster bluesman --- his music will never die
@4795598
You got that right.
@ddoeser5830
Jammer eigenlijk dat de grondleggers de muziek niet mee konden maken in de tijd waarin we nu leven "JAAR 2022 . TIJD 02:01 NACHT.
@jamesbueker11
Absolutely the pinnacle of the blues. Howl away Wolfman.
@user-mm2dg2gp7b
I have been to the South 1 time. My Mom and my dad are from the South. I have a Southern spirit but i am a city boy.
@oma15
you know when you forget a song exists until you see the title again and then you remember how awesome that song is? that's me right now
@johnconroy8323
Been there with u tube every day right now too
@joshuajacobson8397
I've heard of him. This is great. I haven't listened to the blues much but this is good. A very interesting voice and musicianship.
@ivanbazant8475
Howlin Wolf is on the top of the
World
@shanefelkel9966
Such a great club feel to this song. Dont think it is live, but the drums really resonate and the whole vibe seems imperative and immediate.