Commit A Crime
Wolf Howlin Lyrics
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Before I commit a crime
I'm gonna leave you woman
Before I commit a crime
You tried so hard to kill me
Woman it just was not my time
You put poison in my coffee
You put poison in my coffee
Instead of milk or cream
You're the meanest woman
That I ever seen
You mixed my drinks
With a can of red devil lye
You mixed my drinks
With a can of red devil lye
Then you sit back and watch me
Hopin that I would die
The song "Commit A Crime" by Wolf Howlin is a blues classic that tells the story of an abusive relationship, where the singer decides to leave his partner before he commits a crime. The lyrics describe the woman's attempts to kill him by putting poison in his coffee instead of milk or cream and mixing his drinks with a can of red devil lye. It's a powerful narrative of betrayal, mistrust, and ultimately, the final act of breaking free from a toxic situation.
The song's lyrics subtly hint at ingrained societal norms that men are always the perpetrators of violent behavior in a relationship. However, in reality, abuse transcends gender, and anyone can be a victim or a perpetrator. This portrayal of a male character breaking free from an abusive relationship is an exemplary case of how art can challenge and provoke social norms.
The guitar riffs in the song are haunting and sobering, complimenting the distasteful situation the singer finds himself in. The raw vocalization of the lyrics by Wolf Howlin is a signature style of the Delta blues genre from which the song originated. It's a quintessential example of the blues sub-genre and has been covered by multiple blues and rock artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna leave you woman
I am planning to depart from you, my dear consort
Before I commit a crime
Prior to engaging in illegal activities, I will physically separate myself from you
You tried so hard to kill me
Your concerted efforts were focused on bringing an end to my existence
Woman it just was not my time
However, destiny had other plans and it wasn't my scheduled departure
You put poison in my coffee
You maliciously added a toxic substance into my morning beverage
Instead of milk or cream
It was not dairy products that you put in there to dilute the flavor
You're the meanest woman
The attributes that define your character and personality can be described as malevolent and nasty
That I ever seen
Of all the women that I have had the chance to encounter in my life, you are the defining pinnacle of cruelty
You mixed my drinks
You tampered with my beverages
With a can of red devil lye
One of the substances you added to my beverage was a highly corrosive substance called 'Red Devil Lye'
Then you sit back and watch me
After poisoning me, you sat back and enjoyed the show
Hopin that I would die
You were hoping that the end result would be my untimely demise
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALEX ATKINS, JAMES B. ODEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidratcliffe1
I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO SEE WOLF, MUDDY AND LIGHTNIN' IN THE SAME NIGHT AT THE HOLLYWOOD SPORTATORIUM, HOLLYWOOD, FL. MID 70'S
@Mixwell1983
You sound like a lucky one. Srv coveree em all since then. I wish i coulda seen SRV
@nicksandhaus4027
Must have been awesome man..
@ursarex
A true American treasure. The Wolf & Willie Dixon...enough said.
@John__Dough
He makes all Metal singers sound like they’re in a boy band.
@chriscorman734
John Dough Amen brother
@childrenofcod5866
Metal is an extension to the blues, metal isnt bad at all, it just tries what the blues were known for, making music that isnt necessarily very pleasant or sweet, instead it tackles hardships, unpleasantness and realistic ideals. Metal can be loud, it can be obnoxious, but that has less to do with the genre, and more to do with how its portrayed, there's plenty of great metal and rock, and there's terrible metal and rock as well, same for blues, some blues singers like Howlin Wolf gets blue just right, and some blues attempts fall flat because the the style isnt fully grasped, your opinion is yours to keep, it just feels biased
@kraeckelium
Matt Kush, you really sound like a conservative old broom. This is my favorite blues artist but a lot of stuff later on is pretty damn good music.
@jamesrusso2523
yes POWERFUL VOICE
@manlypedro75
Scary Bad Ass!