I'm Ready
Howling Wolf and Muddy Waters Lyrics

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I am ready, ready as anybody can be
I am ready, ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you, I hope you ready for me

I got an axe handle pistol on a graveyard frame
That shoot tombstone bullets, wearin' balls and chain
I'm drinkin' TNT, I'm smokin' dynamite
I hope some screwball start a fight

'Cause I'm ready, ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you, I hope you're ready for me

All you pretty little chicks with your pretty little hair
I know you feels like I ain't nowhere
But stop what you're doin', baby come over here
I'll prove to you baby, that I ain't no square
Because I'm ready, ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you, I hope you're ready for me

I been drinkin' gin like never before
I feel so good, I want you to know
One more drink, I wish you would
It takes a whole lotta lovin' to make me feel good

'Cause I'm ready, ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you, I hope you're ready for me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "I'm Ready" by Howling Wolf and Muddy Waters ooze with confidence and a readiness to take on anything. The opening line "I am ready, ready as anybody can be" sets the tone for the rest of the song, which describes the singer's preparedness for whatever comes their way. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the level of eagerness and enthusiasm the singer possesses.

The second verse paints an ominous picture, with the singer describing an "axe handle pistol on a graveyard frame" that shoot "tombstone bullets." The image of wearing "balls and chain" suggests the singer may be a prisoner, but their confidence remains unshaken. They continue to assert their readiness for anyone who wants to start a fight.

The third verse takes a playful turn, as the singer addresses "pretty little chicks with your pretty little hair." The lyrics suggest that these women may underestimate the singer’s abilities, but the singer is confident they can prove them wrong. The chorus again reinforces the idea that the singer is more than ready for any challenge that comes their way, thanks in part to drinking "gin like never before."

Overall, "I'm Ready" is a song that celebrates confidence and readiness, despite any obstacles that may come your way. The lyrics encourage listeners to embrace their own strengths and be ready for whatever life throws at them.

Line by Line Meaning

I am ready, ready as anybody can be
I am fully prepared and eager, more so than most people

I am ready, ready as anybody can be
I am completely ready and prepared for anything

I am ready for you, I hope you ready for me
I am prepared for you, and I hope that you are also ready for me

I got an axe handle pistol on a graveyard frame
I have a unique weapon consisting of an axe handle attached to a pistol on a frame made of items found in a graveyard

That shoot tombstone bullets, wearin' balls and chain
The bullets fired from my weapon are so powerful they can create tombstones, and I am also wearing prison-style shackles to indicate my toughness

I'm drinkin' TNT, I'm smokin' dynamite
I am consuming highly explosive substances as a form of intoxication, emphasizing my wild and reckless nature

I hope some screwball start a fight
I am hoping for someone unstable to initiate a confrontation with me, showing my readiness to engage in conflict

'Cause I'm ready, ready as anybody can be
My extreme readiness makes me highly capable and confident

All you pretty little chicks with your pretty little hair
Directed towards women, recognizing their attractiveness

I know you feels like I ain't nowhere
I recognize that you may not think much of me

But stop what you're doin', baby come over here
However, I am requesting that you come over and pay attention to me

I'll prove to you baby, that I ain't no square
I will show you that I am not boring or uninteresting

I been drinkin' gin like never before
I have been consuming a lot of gin, perhaps to ease my nerves or steady my hand

I feel so good, I want you to know
I am experiencing a sense of euphoria and want to share it with those around me

One more drink, I wish you would
I am eager for one more alcoholic beverage

It takes a whole lotta lovin' to make me feel good
I require a lot of affection to feel satisfied

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Willie Dixon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@dillantaylor6716

8y↑56

I got a axe handle pistol on a graveyard frame
That shoots tombstone bullets, wearing balls and chain
I'm drinking TNT
I'm smoking dynamite
I hope some screwball start a fight
Because I'm ready
Ready as anybody can be
I'm ready for you
I hope you ready for me

Those have to be the best lines in a blues tune EVA!!!

Muddy and Willie Dixon were definitely masters. rip to the both of them

@lindatoosaucy8625

2y↑2

I am ready, as ready as anybody can be
I am ready, ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you, I hope you ready for me

I got a axe-handled pistol on my graveyard frame
That shoot tombstone bullets, wearing balls and chain
I'm drinking TNT, I'm smoking dynamite
I hope some screwball start a fight

Cause I'm ready, ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you, I hope you ready for me

All you pretty little chicks with your curly hair
I know you feel like I ain't nowhere
Well, stop what you're doing, baby, come over here
I'll prove to you baby that I ain't no square

Because I'm ready, as ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you, I hope you ready for me

I been drinking gin like never before
I feel so good I want you to know
One more drink, I wish you would
I takes a whole lotta loving to make me feel good

Cause I'm ready, as ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you, I hope you ready for me

All comments from YouTube:

@xpmark1

8y↑33

This song takes me back to 1954,we white guys in our teens would cruise north Tulsa's colored town,the smoke filled bars and joints were jumpin with live rhythm and blues music,huge black dudes lighting up outside keeping watch.Muddy might have slipped into town,largely un-noticed by the white media,unless you heard he was coming in or got your hands on the Greenwood Eagle, the black newspaper.

@xgum

7y↑3

this guy has stories to tell

@francineandrews206

4y↑3

Wow I wish I were there

@danielorr7627

23w

We're you in a Buick?

@monkeytown1000

13y↑17

Great drumming by Muddy Waters band unsung star Fred Below on the off beat, drives the whole song along.

@ralphraucci

9y↑10

I first heard this Great Song in early 1987 on the Blue Monday Show from the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, CT. I still remember the Host's words to this Day, Muddy Waters 1954 version of I'm Ready with Willie Dixon on Bass, Little Walter on Harmonica, Otis Spann on Piano, Jimmy Rogers on Guitar, and Fred Below on Drums.
It was only through listener supported Collage Radio that we heard these Great Original Artists. I was 27 at the time, it saddens me that almost all the original Great Artist are gone and most Americans don't know about them.

@philwear

Ralph Raucci Sheet what a line up !!!

@alangonzalez7665

Ralph Raucci

@deannayoung1612

7y↑1

Ralph Raucci it's really sad that younger people won't ever even know this music!! all the greats & best of all times! I'm glad I'm able to hold near & dear all the greats & what they stood for! this is just great music!!

@donnaleblanc3726

I know what you mean. There is so much great music in America that most people don’t hear. Thank God for college radio and the progressive radio stations! I heard lots of blues, jazz, zydeco, bluegrass, Cajun and rhythm and blues on these stations, WHCN in the 1970s and University of Hartford radio.

@HarvestmanMan

10y↑60

One of the most badass songs of all time.

If this song doesn't put you in the mood to light one up and go strolling the city streets at night, then NOTHING will.

@calio99

7y↑3

That's exactly what I just did last night in Denver

@inthe7thhouse

10y↑41

I close my eyes and I picture a dive bar, cigar smoke belching out of the doors, big mean dudes, and the smell of whisky & beer everywhere. Muddy was the king of aural cinema.

@8House

There was a great blues club at Lake and Kedzie, deep in the heart of the west side Chicago ghetto back in the day. West side blues was punch in the gut raw.

@plasteredbastard

4y↑7

When Muddy said he was ready, you have to believe the man was in a complete state of preparedness.

@beastbee0118

Lmao

@bobmeoff1137

7y↑8

The greatest harp solo ever, ever.

@adrianmiller1971

1y↑1

This... imagine being in the room when Muddy gave Little Walter the nod and he unleashed through the bit of ducting they used for that reverb....Walter made harmonica a thing...

@mwngw

Saw Muddy and the band around 1973 at the old Golden Bear in Huntington Beach, Ca. He let a coupla different harp players sit in, among them a young Rod Piazza. What a glorious night it was.

@brendanbarnes2145

5y↑11

Marion Walter Jacobs.His harp is frightening.
He was a man that knew the taste of TNT and dynamite.

@jinc1950

10y↑38

Soulful, yet stronger than any metal !!

@calio99

7y↑3

It's the first true heavy metal song

@bharfarar

10y↑25

The creative genius in Little Walter's greatest solo.

@Mundproductionfunkhaus

bharfarar what harp is he palying on; does not sound diatonic

@jeffreese4194

It's such an eerie sound that harmonica

@MrJackson1377

4y↑2

I believe it’s a chromatic. You can make halftones on it. His runs are amazing.

@orrincheely6604

Walter is the truth

@SeattleSoulFan

I just got to your comment when I was wondering if it was Little Walter on harp!

@skullduggery3377

12y↑1

even his early work always invokes a feeling of an older singer to me. maybe it's because i saw him play live in a club in his later years. what a show. disco had just been declared dead but all the clubs still had the disco lighting and that big ass ball over the stage. and there's morganfield up there belting out the blues. i remember i used a friends id to get into the place for i hadn't turned 18 yet. good times.

@cmoa2007

4y↑5

Since I was a child, this music crossed borders and still is the soundtrack of my life here in Brasil

@petermusto3704

7y↑8

One of the best Blues songs I've ever heard!

@shonyork6260

6y↑4

my grandma brought this song to my attention R.I.P

@DurandMj

One of my dad's favorites!

@ADRIANOACPEREIRA

The best of The blues!!! Save Muddy, R.I.P.

@billchase896

6y↑1

Unreal!!! Just checked the lyrics for the first time.
Since about 1975 I've been singing "Hope some Schoolboy starts a fight"

@IBOGW

4y↑1

Bill Chase I’m pretty sure it’s screwball starts a fight.

@Backwoods_870

12w

Backwoods country juke joints drinking some good ole moonshine

@paulherring2434

6y↑5

I'm thinking it's Little Walter on harmonica here. He just seems to go where no one else can on harp. In a league of his own.

@mtyemti

13y

McKinley Morgenfield aka Muddy "Mississippi" Waters 1913-1983 May his legacy live on.

@lovemckay

13y↑1

hes a LEGEND !!!! awsome tune

@davidwiese9107

5y↑3

A timeless masterpiece !

@harmonicabill

5y↑2

God bless muddy my man

@dillantaylor6716

8y↑56

@jofinsky8400

7y↑7

I hope some skoolboy start a fight

@willielee6238

7y↑4

Jofinsky screwball

@Fogon59

7y↑1

Can't argue with that mate!

@billlloyd4029

6y↑2

No, listen again -- he's not singing 'screwball', he's singing "schoolboy" -- or more accurately schoolbo'. No matter what all copying-each-other internet lyric sites say...

@eldawg1325

5y↑2

Muddy was spitting bars

9 More Replies...

@georgedez3474

34w

This shit still gives me chills!!! To this day!! Groove is hard!!

@RuthlessDJs

My favourite McKinley tune ❤️

@wilco691

9y↑5

Dennis Eckersly used this song as his walk up music out of the bullpen to close games for the Oakland A's. Best intimidating music for a closer ever. Muddy was the original gangster rapper.

@jinanimal6

12y↑3

Stronger than any metal, catchier than any pop

@zelenious

12y

I knew if I came here somebody would mention what key the harp is on this song THANK YOU !!!!

@valerieworboyes2460

Little Walter superb

@ruthdixon7807

15w

fine harmonica by fellow chi-town blues giant little walter.

@skullduggery3377

12y

he was a great bandleader as well as incredible singer.

@joesitter20101

When I was 20 I'd go to Warsaw Wally's (in Phoenix) to see the Peyton brother's Midnite Blues band. I remember fist fights breaking out in the bar while the band played. One night, there was a brawl that began during this song. Man, that was great until the fight started. No one ever seemed to know why it started.

@calio99

Joe Sitter where was Warsaw Wally's

@MemphisBlueAgain

15y↑1

Damn this is good, want more

@genomitchalinni8106

Kinda inspires me to make a great Cigar Box Guitar.

@2c4u222

12y

LOVE this tune!

@dimitrisanagnostou9640

Truth and Janey have recorded an amazing cover (à la Cream, Taste and the like) in their legendary "No Rest for the Wicked" LP.

@mjjoseph8259

Goosebumps Galore!

@sprucetree49

12y

I used to have this on my telephone AM. Kinda fits. My favorite line is 'I hope some schoolboy start a fight.'

@jessicabeleza

12y↑1

Hope I'm ready for 2012... Happy new year!

@glenpage162

Thanks for sharing this. I love Muddy Waters. I have some MW on my channel to.

@inquiry7

14y↑1

"I hope some schoolboy start a fight." Great Lyric!!!

@StarsWithScars

4y↑2

isnt it "screwball"?!

@RockandrollNegro

@StarsWithScars No.

@13thcentury

2y↑1

Screwball

@inquiry7

@13th century schizoid man Screwball is correct! I am no fan and got free tickets but ELP's best song was by far 21st Century Schizoid Man. IMO.

@southernbelle5078

2y↑1

2022 keeping it alive !!!

@VisionaryofMirage

10y↑1

Hell yes, the mighty Mud! Plus Little Walter was to Muddy what Hubert Sumlin was to the Wolf.

@hwgray

8y↑1

+Visionary Except that Walter was the king and Hubert only a prince or, maybe, just a duke.

@dillantaylor6716

8y↑2

+hwgray you talking blues in general or their respective instruments? mind you, Hubert Sumlin was a guitarist and Little Walter played harmonica

@sayyes2bull

11y

if you ain't ready you better git ready.

@MrJackson1377

4y↑4

Little Walter is playing a chromatic harmonica, probably through a little reverb in the amp. He’s amazing! Plays chords on it, I guess by blocking certain holes with his tongue.

@hfactor6429

15w↑1

No blocking but plays in Eb which is he's just holding the chromatics slide held in the entire song.
And yes some reverb and overdrive on his amp!

@craigmccauley3972

Love it!

@GuilhermeBallas

10y

Perfeito!

@skullduggery3377

12y

i like his stuff produced by and played with john dawson winter.

@ceeceetracey9839

Sing the damn song Muddy

@Vernuft

12y

Versione un po' lenta ma sempre grande Muddy!

@thomascedergren8602

Muddy I saw you at the church key on state street and toward the end of the show I kept pestering you to give me five and so I’d go away you did - thank you and please pardon my youthful punk ass ☺️if I could do it over I’d just smile and applaud.

@terrelll.howard8660

Allways ready ""

@JazzBluezz1

11y

What album has Muddy, Little Walter, Otis Spann & Jimmy Rodgers on all the tracks (early 50's)?

@charsbridge

GOOD ONE

@woodbell67

13y

This version by Jerome Bowman and Phil Alvin posted by polara64 will restore your faith in music.

@woodbell67

13y

Check out Jerome Bowman and Phil Alvin doing this song, posted by polara64. A real classic with more grit and fire than I thought was possible.

@bekind2239

Greatness

@txomingoitibera4885

Awesome! Who plays the harmonica?

@mondharmonicalerenspelennl1381

The Great Little Walter

@fore101

14y

Thank you anyway Big. I used to have too. But alas my copy too is long gone.

@sackett68

4y↑1

The hot moist air clings to me like a living entity and the smell of stale booze and cigarette smoke assaults my nostrils. The .38 snugged tight against my right hip brings comfort as I make my way through the swaying bodies to the bar. The man behind the counter asks....what it'll be? I say give me a whiskey and a shot of adventure. The twinkle in his eye tells me both requests will be more then I expect.......

@jakeweismann

11y

The line is I hope some screwball, not some schoolboy. Why would Muddy want to fight a kid?

@billlloyd4029

He doesn't mean he wants to fight a kid -- he's using it as an insult. Listen again -- he is definitely singing Schoolboy, or rather Schoolbo'

@alejaMars

❤

@judithriggs4230

It sounds like screwball to me and I think that's what Rory sings when he does a cover of I'm ready

@dreadfullycute

I got this song from Steven kings book..gunslinger 😁

@roccovita1

10y

What About The Humble Pie "Rockin The Filmore" Version? My favorite. but I love this and the Red Devils too.

@lindatoosaucy8625

2y↑2

@asmae123123

10y↑10

why I have that feeling that best time to listen to blues is night why ?

@frankiefranks3893

9y↑3

+ASMA SAWAKO Especially Saturday Night!!

@joelmohr3232

6y↑1

ANY Time Is The Right Time To Listen To The Blues
ESPECIALLY The Mud Man

@jeffreese4194

My mama done told me 'bout blues in the night..

@filthyphillyboy

5y↑1

You might as well ask what makes a tomcat go struttin' at night...

@6402680

11y↑1

Muddy would kick a schoolboys ass. One that was in college!

@paulienebz

11y↑7

Written by Willie Dixon.

@calio99

The first heavy metal song

@inquiry7

14y

@theGenie I stand corrected. Thank You Genie!!!

@khaldrogo1656

8y↑5

Good music to do bad shit to.

@AndiRahd

12y

@TampaRed damn straight.

@Bluefinger

14y

Eric Burdon recorded it later. The version you are hearing here is the original one. Cheers ...

@jiyanaltas5168

hariiiiiiiiiiiiiiika

@jenniferjuniper97

13y↑1

Fine, fine harpwork. Hm hm tasty.

@fore101

14y

@Bigpolak57 I agree. But I do not see that version posted here. Why don't you help us all out and post it. Please.

@elizabethwest4012

10y

How did you get into YouTube under my name and yours Zoe?!!! Where am I? Well. Listening to Muddy Waters and lovin' it!

@tjcolatrella943

Little Walter on Chromatic Harp!

@sshiftyp

12y↑1

@cedricleecason i love comments like these.. someone also commented on a Hendrix song telling; when they interviewed him after preforming they asked how he felled to be the greatest guitar player alive. He responded with; "Ask Rory Gallagher".

@RockandrollNegro

He actually said "ask Roy Clark."

@lowellthomasjr.468

11y

"Ize bone redi"...reply from a blues man that I gave a car ride to...LOL

@0f2

12y

@sshiftyp I was told he answered Billy Gibson. Guitarist in ZZ top though pretty unknown when hendrix was alive.

@billlloyd4029

Gibbons

@genomitchalinni8106

I met him., With Deonne Warwick.

@sistacoopie2372

8y↑2

The Best! The Sexiest! The Toughest! Ouch!

@bertillaier3038

what key is this in?

@kraljstocara

14y

isnt this eric burdons song?

@br529

20w

Little Walter blowing his horn

@bigdennis3845

Pay attention

@theGenie

14y

@inquiry7 It's actually I hope some screw ball starts a fight".

@1voyher1

9y↑2

tombstone bullets wearing balls and chains !

@hwgray

+1voyher1 I've got a axe-handled pistol on a graveyard frame that shoot...

@shkeni

8y↑1

Who's the harp player?

@kennym1457

8y↑2

The great Little Walter!

@shkeni

Thanks!

@mathewsmith7305

LIL WALTER JACOBS

@davidwiese9107

Whew that harp is amazing......

@fredrictengstrom5646

Im readi an able. So?

@thechimmachongaman

12y

@cedricleecason what did i do that made me an assface

@thebloozdood

14y↑1

hehehehe...screwball actually :-)

@pilgrim655

47w

@Number1DriversSeat

Neely Fuller was dead on. Smh.

@butobuto1

11y

are you 12?

@mtyemti

11y↑1

He actually says "Screwball."

@billlloyd4029

6y↑2

no, listen again -- he's saying 'schoolboy' -- or more accurately schoolbo'

@lokisgodhi

10y

Cause it's scary and not trite bubble gum pop.
DoobieGangTV asked: how the fuck can you dislike muddy waters

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