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 the 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
In Howlin' Wolf's "Sittin' On the Top of the World," he sings about a failed relationship that has left him feeling liberated rather than downtrodden. The first two lines, "One summer day, she went away," are simple but hold powerful meaning. The song's central message is that sometimes, losing someone can be the best thing that ever happens to you.
The singer then goes on to describe how he has worked hard through the summer and fall seasons, and despite the hard work, he is still able to find joy in his current situation. By the time we arrive at the final verse, Howlin' Wolf appears to have hit his stride. He is taking matters into his own hands and moving on with his life.
The song's repetitive nature also emphasizes the feeling of liberation- "But now she gone and I don't worry because I'm sittin' on top of the world" is repeated at the end of each verse, driving the point home that being free of a toxic or unfulfilling relationship can give you peace of mind and leave you feeling unstoppable.
Line by Line Meaning
One summer day
On a particular day, during summer
She went away
His lover left him
She gone an left me
She left him behind
She gone to stay
She left with no intention of returning
But now she gone
She is not here anymore
An' I don't worry
He is not anxious or perturbed
'Cause I'm sittin' on top of the world
He feels in control and on top of everything despite the loss of his lover
Works all the summer
He worked all through summer
And worked all the fall
He worked throughout autumn
I had to take my Christmas
He had to spend Christmas on his own
In my over-halls*
He had to dress in overalls, which are durable work clothes
Goin' down to the freight yard
He is headed towards the freight yard
Just to meet a freight train
He is waiting to board a freight train
I'm gon' leave this town
He is leaving this town behind
Work has done gotten too hard
Work has become too challenging
But now she's gone
Since his lover left him
And I don't worry
He still holds the same feeling of not worrying
Because I'm sittin' on top of the world
He still feels in control and on top even after the loss of his lover.
Writer(s): Burnett Chester
Contributed by Adrian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@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.