Howlin’ Wolf, also known as Chester Arthur Burnett, was an American blues musician who became one of the most influential figures in blues and rock music. Born in Mississippi in 1910, Wolf began his career as a performer in the 1930s and 1940s, playing with several blues legends including Robert Johnson and Sonny Boy Williamson. He became known for his powerful and distinctive voice, as well as his energetic performances and signature electric guitar sound.
Wolf’s music was heavily influenced by the Delta blues tradition, but he also incorporated elements of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and country music into his songs. He was a master of the blues harp, and his style of playing had a profound impact on the development of the Chicago blues sound. Some of his most famous songs include “Smokestack Lightning,” “Spoonful,” and “Back Door Man.”
Howlin’ Wolf was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. His music continues to inspire generations of musicians, and his influence can be heard in a wide range of genres, from blues and rock to hip-hop and electronic music.
1. “Smokestack Lightnin'”
“Smokestack Lightnin'” is a classic blues song by Howlin’ Wolf, released in 1956. The song features Wolf’s iconic vocals, which are full of raw power and emotion, along with a driving blues rhythm and a distinctive guitar riff that captures the song’s haunting and mysterious atmosphere. Its lyrics speak of a train moving through the night, with the smokestack light shining bright, and Wolf’s vocals conveying a sense of urgency and power. “Smokestack Lightnin'” has become a beloved classic of the blues genre, inspiring countless artists and earning a place in the pantheon of great American music.
2. “How Many More Years”
“How Many More Years” is a blues classic by Howlin’ Wolf, released in 1951. The song features Wolf’s powerful and raw vocals, which express the pain and despair of a man who has been mistreated by his lover. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and anger, as the singer wonders how much longer he will have to endure the mistreatment before he can finally be free. “How Many More Years” became a signature song for Howlin’ Wolf, earning critical acclaim for its intense and emotional delivery, and remains a landmark of the blues genre and a testament to Wolf’s talent as a performer and songwriter.
3. “Killing Floor”
“Killing Floor” is a blues standard and one of Howlin’ Wolf’s most iconic songs. Released in 1964, the song features the Wolf’s powerful and distinctive voice over a driving rhythm section and catchy guitar riff. The song’s lyrics tell a story of a woman who has mistreated the narrator, leading him to declare that he will “mess up” her life just like she did to his. The song’s raw energy and emotion, combined with its memorable guitar riff, have made it a favorite of blues fans and musicians alike. It has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin.
4. “Spoonful”
“Spoonful” is a classic blues song by Howlin’ Wolf, released in 1960. The song features Wolf’s deep and powerful vocals, backed by a driving rhythm section and a distinctive guitar riff. The lyrics describe the singer’s desire for a “spoonful” of love, a metaphor for the nourishment and satisfaction he craves from his lover. “Spoonful” became one of Howlin’ Wolf’s most popular and enduring songs, earning critical acclaim for its driving rhythm and powerful vocals, and remains a classic of the blues genre and a testament to Wolf’s enduring legacy as one of the greatest blues musicians of all time.
5. “Back Door Man”
“Back Door Man” is a blues song written by Willie Dixon and made famous by Howlin’ Wolf. It features a driving guitar riff and Wolf’s powerful vocals that deliver a sense of urgency to the song’s lyrics. The song is a tale of a man who sneaks around with another man’s woman, entering through the back door to avoid detection. The lyrics are raw and edgy, adding to the song’s appeal as one of Howlin’ Wolf’s most popular and influential tracks. It has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including The Doors and Jimi Hendrix, cementing its status as a blues and rock classic.
6. “Wang Dang Doodle”
“Wang Dang Doodle” is a classic blues song by Howlin’ Wolf, released in 1960. The song features Wolf’s signature gravelly vocals, a driving blues rhythm, and a catchy chorus that invites listeners to “tell Fanny the coal black mare” that there’s a party going on. Its lyrics speak of a wild and raucous party, with Wolf’s vocals and the instrumental backing capturing the song’s joyful and celebratory mood. “Wang Dang Doodle” has become a beloved classic of the blues genre, renowned for its infectious energy and Wolf’s legendary vocal prowess. It remains a favorite of fans of both the blues and rock music.
7. “The Red Rooster”
“The Red Rooster” is a classic blues song by Howlin’ Wolf, originally released in 1961. With its driving rhythm and Wolf’s signature deep, powerful vocals, the song has become one of his most iconic and enduring hits. It features a memorable guitar riff and a catchy call-and-response chorus that has been covered by countless artists over the years. The song’s lyrics describe a rooster that serves as a metaphor for a woman’s infidelity and promiscuity. Its raw energy and bluesy sound have made it a staple of rock and blues radio stations and playlists, and cemented Howlin’ Wolf’s status as a legend of the genre.
8. “Evil”
“Evil” is a blues classic by Howlin’ Wolf, released in 1954. The song features Wolf’s signature growling vocals, backed by a driving rhythm section and a bluesy guitar riff. The lyrics describe the singer’s encounter with a woman who he sees as evil, a force that he cannot resist despite the danger she poses to him. “Evil” became one of Howlin’ Wolf’s most popular and enduring songs, earning critical acclaim for its powerful vocals and bluesy instrumentation, and remains a landmark of the blues genre and a testament to Wolf’s talent as a songwriter and performer.
9. “Forty Four”
“Forty Four” is a classic blues song by Howlin’ Wolf, released in 1954. The song features Wolf’s signature vocals, full of power and emotion, backed by a driving blues rhythm and a haunting harmonica riff. Its lyrics speak of a man who has been wronged and is seeking revenge, with Wolf’s vocals conveying a sense of anger and determination. “Forty Four” has become a classic of the blues genre, with its powerful vocals, haunting harmonica, and driving rhythm making it a favorite of blues fans and inspiring countless artists in the decades since its release.
10. “I Ain’t Superstitious”
“I Ain’t Superstitious” is a classic blues song by Howlin’ Wolf, released in 1961. The song features Wolf’s growling vocals, backed by a driving rhythm section and a haunting guitar riff. The lyrics describe the singer’s defiance of superstition and his assertion of his own power and agency. The song has been covered by numerous other artists over the years, including The Jeff Beck Group, who recorded a memorable version of the song in 1968. “I Ain’t Superstitious” remains a testament to Howlin’ Wolf’s enduring legacy as one of the greatest blues musicians of all time and a master of the blues form.