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.
The Wolf Is At Your Back Door
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
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Smiles on their faces you remember so well how it was
Nights in the back of that Buick you got runnin'
Your baby by your side told the whole world you're comin'
Work so hard to do what is right
Believed in what you're doin' but so many fights
Trusted too many, believed too much
Workin' your life to the bone
He wants your money, wants your soul
A wolf at your door
You give it all, he wants more
There's a wolf at your door
He says he's playin' for keeps
Breathin' down your neck
Boy, it's sure hard to sleep
With a wolf at your door
They'll take it away when you're not lookin'
Look you in the eyes tell you how good they're doin'
Smiles on their faces are lies to keep you from knowin'
You're not guilty you are the victim
But you still pay for the crime
Don't look for trouble, it'll always find you in time
You work so hard to do what is right
Believed in what you're doin' but so many fights
Trusted too many, believed too much
Workin' your life to the bone
There's a wolf at your door
He says he's playin' for keeps
Breathin' down your neck
Boy, it's sure hard to sleep
With a wolf at your door
I won't be broken, I'll fight 'til I drop
Blood runnin' hot in my veins
But they won't be satisfied
Until they take everything
You work so hard to do what is right
Believed in what you're doin' but so many fights
Trusted too many, believed too much
Workin' your life to the bone
There's a wolf at your door
He wants your money, wants your soul
A wolf at your door
You give it all, he wants more
A wolf at your door
He says he's playin' for keeps
Breathin' down your neck
Boy, it's sure hard to sleep
With a wolf at your door
He wants your money, wants your soul
A wolf at your door
You give it all, he wants more
A wolf at your door
He says he's playin' for keeps
Breathin' down your neck
Boy, it's sure hard to sleep
With a wolf at your door
There's a wolf at your door
He wants your money, wants your soul
A wolf at your door
You give it all, he wants more
There's a wolf at your door
He says he's playin' for keeps
Breathin' down your neck
Boy, it's sure hard to sleep
Wolf at your door
He wants your money, wants your soul
Wolf at your door
Walkin' past the kids comin' back from the party
Smiles on their faces you remember so well how it was
In "The Wolf Is At Your Door," Howlin' Wolf speaks about an ominous predator lurking around, looking for vulnerable prey. He uses the image of a wolf at a person's door to describe the threat that could be felt in numerous ways, including through fiscal, psychological, or spiritual harm. Wolf urges the listener to resist and fight back against this predator who wants to take away their money, their soul, and everything they have laboured to achieve.
The first part of the lyrics uses the image of a memory of a happy past in which "Smiles on their faces" vividly pop into the listener's mind. However, as the song proceeds, it becomes apparent that those memories bring no comfort when confronted with a present-day problem - the wolf. The wolf is the spectre of greed that can take everything away from somebody who is once romantic, hopeful, and full of aspirational thinking.
The song's lyrics convey a sense of resistance and defiance, carrying the messages that giving in to an oppressor is not an option, that one can fight even though it may be challenging, and that one's spirit cannot be broken. The song reflects an almost political explosion of the oppressed against the oppressor, with Wolf as the voice of the masses that need to offer resistance to the ever-present wolf.
Line by Line Meaning
Walkin' past the kids comin' back from the party
Remembering the good old days while seeing happy kids return from a party.
Smiles on their faces you remember so well how it was
Recalling happy times and smiles while seeing others enjoying themselves.
Nights in the back of that Buick you got runnin'
Recalling good times spent in the back of a running Buick.
Your baby by your side told the whole world you're comin'
Feeling confident with your partner by your side, announcing to the world your unstoppable progress.
Work so hard to do what is right
Putting in a lot of effort to do the right thing.
Believed in what you're doin' but so many fights
Facing many challenges despite believing in your work.
Trusted too many, believed too much
Suffering from placing too much trust and belief in others.
Workin' your life to the bone
Working excessively hard to the point of exhaustion.
There's a wolf at your door
Being threatened by someone or something that wants to take away everything you have.
He wants your money, wants your soul
This threat is after your financial and spiritual well-being.
You give it all, he wants more
No matter how much you give, this threat will always demand more.
He says he's playin' for keeps
This threat is playing for keeps and won't easily back down.
Breathin' down your neck
Feeling the pressure and intimidation of this threat right behind you.
Boy, it's sure hard to sleep
Struggling to rest or find peace while facing this threat.
They'll take it away when you're not lookin'
The threat is sneaky and will take what it wants when you're not paying attention.
Look you in the eyes tell you how good they're doin'
Deceiving you by appearing successful and honest.
Smiles on their faces are lies to keep you from knowin'
Their happy demeanor is a facade to hide their true intentions.
You're not guilty you are the victim
Despite being targeted, it's important to remember that you are innocent.
But you still pay for the crime
Even though you didn't do anything wrong, you still suffer the consequences.
Don't look for trouble, it'll always find you in time
Avoiding trouble is important, but sometimes it still finds you on its own.
I won't be broken, I'll fight 'til I drop
Vowing to never give up or break despite this threat.
Blood runnin' hot in my veins
Feeling intense passion and determination despite the fear and pressure of the situation.
But they won't be satisfied
This threat will never be content with what they have taken and will always demand more.
Until they take everything
Their ultimate goal is to take everything you have, leaving you with nothing.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHESTER BURNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind