Howlin’ Wolf
Muddy Waters Lyrics


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I'm a howlin' wolf
I've been howlin' all 'round your door
I'm a howlin' wolf
I've been howlin' all 'round your door

I see your smiling face
You won't hear me howl no more
When I start-ta howlin'
Dig me a hole down in the ground
When I start-ta howlin'
Dig me a hole down in the ground

Some people call me a black panther
But my baby, she knows the way I sound

I howled all night long
Everyday I lays up and take my sleep
I howls all night long
Everyday I lays up and take my sleep

After sundown




That's when I makes my full decree
([Incomprehensible])

Overall Meaning

In "Howlin' Wolf", Muddy Waters sings in the persona of a wild, untamed animal who calls out to his lover with hungry, longing cries. The howling wolf metaphor is used as the singer's way of expressing his wild, untamed, and often misunderstood nature. In the first stanza, he declares himself to be such a being who has been howling all around his lover's door, possibly trying to make her aware of his presence. However, even though he sees her smiling face, he believes that she won't hear his howls no more, because she has already moved on with her life.


In the second stanza, the singer seems to accept his untameable nature and requests to be dug a hole in the ground when he starts howling once again. The metaphorical hole represents a sort of lair for the wild animal, where it can howl and be free without being judged by those who don't understand it. In the third stanza, the singer reveals that some people call him a black panther, possibly because of the way he looks, but he knows that his baby knows how he sounds, and that's what matters to him. Finally, in the last stanza, he reveals that he howls all night long and sleeps all day, and that he only makes his full decree after sundown, underlining his wild, nocturnal nature.



Line by Line Meaning

I'm a howlin' wolf
I am a wild, free spirit


I've been howlin' all 'round your door
I have been searching for a way into your heart


I'm a howlin' wolf
I am unapologetically myself


I've been howlin' all 'round your door
I will not give up on my pursuit


I see your smiling face
You appear to be happy and carefree


You won't hear me howl no more
You will not see my true emotions


When I start-ta howlin'
When I am overwhelmed with emotion


Dig me a hole down in the ground
I feel like I need to hide away from the world


When I start-ta howlin'
When I am at my lowest point


Dig me a hole down in the ground
I feel like I need to give up on my dreams


Some people call me a black panther
Some view me as a strong, fierce creature


But my baby, she knows the way I sound
Only those closest to me understand my true nature


I howled all night long
I am deeply passionate and never stop thinking


Everyday I lays up and take my sleep
I need moments of rest to recharge my energy


I howls all night long
I never stop expressing my true self


Everyday I lays up and take my sleep
I prioritize self-care and rest


After sundown
Under the cover of darkness


That's when I makes my full decree
That's when I feel most confident and assertive




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MUDDY WATERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@mehrdadpersian9902

I'm a howlin' wolf
I've been howlin' all 'round your door
I'm a howlin' wolf
I've been howlin' all 'round your door

I see your smiling face
You won't hear me howl no more

When I start-ta howlin'
Dig me a hole down in the ground
When I start-ta howlin'
Dig me a hole down in the ground

Some people call me a black panther
But my baby, she knows the way I sound

I howled all night long
Everyday I lays up and take my sleep
I howls all night long
Everyday I lays up and take my sleep

After sundown
That's when I makes my full decree



All comments from YouTube:

@chuckjennings2832

He burns the house down with his guitar! A legend to the blues!

@oiitzME1266

aint nothin like blues on electric guitar.I hope this music is still alive somewhere

@AzucaNegra16

"You give me what I want little girl and you won't hear me howl no more." Talk that talk Muddy Waters! Love it!

@bakshotcruz5361

Bro he was making that guitar sing!! 🔥

@MrAudiclive

WOW !!! Now that's what I call Blues !!

@clarenceevans4001

Muddy tearing it up with the guitar

@coravisser727

Brilliant excelent wauw what is this beautifull thank you so much for uploading of this great one.

@salihcelikkol7

Great performance of M.Waters. I guess that Pinetop perkins on piano. Wonderfull.

@bossanovaboy

Muddy is the best..

@mojori63

The song is called Howlin' Wolf. Don't confuse it with the musical legend Howlin' Wolf (Chester Burnett) whohas performed with Muddy before.

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