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.
Tail Dragger
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wipe out my track
When I get what I want
I don't come sneakin' back
The mighty wolf
Make it a midnight creep
The hunters
Stealin' chicks
Everywhere he go
Then draggin' his tail
Behind him
I'm a tail dragger
I wipe out my track
When I get what I want
Well, I don't come sneakin' back
A cooter drags
His tail in the sand
A fish wiggle
His tail in the water
When the mighty wolf come along
Waggin' his tail
He done stole
Somebody's daughter
I'm a tail dragger
I wipe out my tracks
When I get what I want
Well, I don't come sneakin' back
The song Tail Dragger by Howlin' Wolf is a classic blues song that is all about being a powerful, confident, and unapologetic man. The first verse establishes the tail dragger as someone who doesn't look back or apologize when he gets what he wants. The phrase "tail dragger" is a reference to the way turtles and certain fish drag their tails as they move. The singer is essentially saying that he moves forward with purpose, leaving a trail in his wake, and doesn't backtrack.
The second verse references the wolf, a powerful and elusive creature known for its hunting prowess. The singer compares himself to the wolf, noting that even the hunters can't find him. He also boasts about "stealin' chicks everywhere he go" and dragging his tail behind him. This image of the tail dragger dragging his tail behind him is a symbol of his power and dominance. The final verse brings in the image of other animals who drag their tails as they move -- cooters and fish -- before returning to the refrain about the tail dragger wiping out his tracks and never looking back.
Overall, the song Tail Dragger is a celebration of masculine power and dominance. The tail dragger is an unapologetic force of nature, a man who takes what he wants and never looks back. The image of the tail dragger dragging his tail behind him is a potent symbol of this power and dominance.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a tail dragger
I am a sly and cunning individual.
I wipe out my track
I cover my tracks and leave no evidence of my actions.
When I get what I want
I am persistent in achieving my goals.
I don't come sneakin' back
I do not return to the scene of the crime or come back empty-handed.
The mighty wolf
A metaphorical reference to the singer, who embodies the characteristics of a wolf.
Make it a midnight creep
Prefers to do activities at night instead of the day.
The hunters
A symbol of those who wish to harm or capture the singer.
And they can't find him
The singer is too clever and elusive for his enemies to locate him.
Stealin' chicks
The singer is a womanizer or someone who likes to flirt with women.
Everywhere he go
The singer's behavior is consistent and constant.
Then draggin' his tail
The singer's carefree attitude and disregard for consequences.
Behind him
The effects of the singer's actions.
A cooter drags
A reference to the behavior of a turtle, which drags its tail in the sand.
His tail in the sand
The turtle's behavior of covering its tracks.
A fish wiggle
A reference to the behavior of a fish, which wiggles its tail in the water.
His tail in the water
The fish's behavior of creating ripples and drawing attention to itself.
When the mighty wolf come along
When the singer arrives on the scene.
Waggin' his tail
The singer's arrogant and triumphant attitude.
He done stole
The singer has taken something of value.
Somebody's daughter
A reference to a young and vulnerable woman whom the singer has taken advantage of.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LESTER BUTLER, WILLIE LEE DIXON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
taildragger53
Saw him in the 60s..never forget the day. He'd scare the shit out of todays rappers!
JOHN MCC
So would Screamin' Jay Hawkins! lol
howlingsandy
nothing and no one can wipe out or cover his legacy.. his tracks are in blues blues rock rock and metal. alt... even more... (and 2 songs he and I did that will at long last be heard, maybe by end of year)
tylus17
i love this song, my dad use to always call me a tail dragger b/c i wipe my tracks wherever i go
saintemarion boddie-taylor
HALLELUJAH !!!!!!! RISE WHOES !!!!!!!! AMEN. FULLEST MOON !!!!!! AMEN. HEY !!!!!!!
Larry Lyons
Thanks for posting. I was looking for this recording.
sonia delaunay
fI'm a tail dragger
I wipe out my tracks
When I get what I want
Well, I come sneakin' back
Это прям про меня!
Keith Smith
sonia delaunay s
J Dilla
Well, I don’t come sneakin back.
He gets laid and never comes back, and to make sure she or her husband don’t follow, he wipes out his tracks
brianandcindy1
@horrendousben Yes, this is the another take....I like the original release better, but only slightly--mainly for the vocal ending...I first heard this one on the Ain't Gonna Be Your Dog box set