Chester Arthur Burnett (June 10, 1910 in White Station, Mississippi, Unite… Read Full Bio ↴Chester Arthur Burnett (June 10, 1910 in White Station, Mississippi, United States – January 10, 1976 in Hines, Illinois, United States), known as Howlin' Wolf, was an influential American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player.

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.

little red roodster
Howlin' Wolf Lyrics

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I'm a little red rooster,
Too lazy to crow for day
I'm a little red rooster,
Too lazy to crow for day
Keep everything in the barnyard,
Upset in every way

Dogs begin to bark now,

And the hounds begin to howl
Dogs begin to bark now,
And the hounds begin to howl
Watch out stray cat,
The little red rooster's on the prowl

If you see the little red rooster
Won't you please drive him home
If you see the little red rooster
Won't you please drive him home
Been no peace in the barnyard
Since that little red rooster's been gone

I'm a little red rooster,
Too lazy to crow for day
I'm a little red rooster,
Too lazy to crow for day

Keep everything in the barnyard,
Upset in every way

Overall Meaning

The song "Little Red Rooster" by Howlin' Wolf is a classic blues tune that speaks of the rooster as a symbol of virility and dominance, with the little red rooster being lazy and unable to fulfill his role. The first two lines of the song act as a refrain, with the little red rooster being too lazy to crow for day, symbolizing his lack of energy and desire to fulfill his role as the dominant rooster.

The lyrics indicate that the other animals in the barnyard are upset and disturbed by the little red rooster's laziness. The dogs bark and the hounds howl in response to his laziness, indicating that the other animals are upset and on alert due to his lack of dominance. The little red rooster is presented as a threat to even the stray cat, who must watch out because the little red rooster is prowling around.

The last verse asks anyone who sees the little red rooster to please drive him home, as there has been no peace in the barnyard since he left. This indicates that he is missed and his lack of dominance has led to chaos in the barnyard. The song ends with the first two lines repeated, emphasizing the little red rooster's laziness and lack of desire to fulfill his role as the dominant rooster.

Overall, the song uses the symbol of the little red rooster to comment on dominance, virility, and the consequences of not fulfilling one's role. The lyrics are simple but effective, with a catchy melody that has made it a classic blues tune.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm a little red rooster,
I am important in this place,

Too lazy to crow for day
But I do not care to draw attention to myself.

I'm a little red rooster,
I am important in this place,

Too lazy to crow for day
But I do not care to draw attention to myself.

Keep everything in the barnyard,
I am in control of everything in this area,

Upset in every way
And I have been causing trouble and stirring up conflict.

Dogs begin to bark now,
My presence is known and unsettling,

And the hounds begin to howl
Even larger and more intimidating animals are alarmed by me.

Dogs begin to bark now,
My presence is known and unsettling,

And the hounds begin to howl
Even larger and more intimidating animals are alarmed by me.

Watch out stray cat,
Even other predators are wary of challenging me,