Chester Burnett, the Howlin' Wolf, was a most impressive figure in the Chicago Blues, both on account of his physical appearance and his powerful voice.
Here is the All-Music Guide on Howlin' Wolf.
This page contains lyrics to the following song(s):
Recorded in Memphis, April 17, 1952. It's the same song as done by Sonny Boy Williamson, of course.
Decoration Day (Chester Burnett) Lord I got a woman, she nice lovin' in every way Lord I got a woman, she nice lovin' in every way You know she done died and left me, I have the blues on every Decoration Day So sorry see you to leave me [sic], I hate to see my baby get away So sorry to see you leave me, I hate to see my baby get away I want you to bring me some flowers, about every Decoration Day Lord I was walkin' round her bedside, these were the last words my baby had to say Lord walkin' round her bedside, these were the last words my baby had to say She said bring me some flowers - be sure honey - on every Decoration Day
Recorded in 1961 and included on the Chess CD "Howlin' Wolf" (re-issued on the MCA/Chess "Two On One" CD with another LP, "Moanin' In The Moonlight"). The spoken part was done by Willie Dixon. By the way, can anyone tell me who the Great Googlie Mooglie is? For another version of this song see Jeannie & Jimmy Cheatham and the Sweet Baby Blues Band
See also:
GOIN' DOWN SLOW (James B. Oden) (spoken:) Man... You know I've been enjoyin' things that kings and queens will never have! In fact kings and queens can never get 'm. And they don't even know about it! And good times? Mmmmmmmmm-mmh!! (sung:) I have had my fun, if I never get well no more (x 2) Oh my health is fadin' on me, oh yes I'm goin' down slow (spoken:) Now looka here... I did not say I was a millionaire... But I said I have spent more money than a millionaire! Cause if I had kept all my money that I'd already spent, I would've been a millionaire a looong time ago... And women? Great Googlie-Mooglie!! (sung:) Please write my mother, tell her the shape I'm in (x 2) Tell her to pray for me, forgive me for my sin
Recorded in 1959 and released as a Chess single with the title "Howlin' For My Darlin'". It's included on the Chess CD "Howlin' Wolf" (re-issued on the MCA/Chess "Two On One" CD with another LP, "Moanin' In The Moonlight").
HOWLIN' FOR MY BABY (Chester Burnett) They call me the howlin' wolf now, and you found me howlin' at your door They call me the howlin' wolf now, baby, and you know you found me howlin' at your door You know I love you darling, don't drive the wolf from your door (Lord have mercy, darling) If God forgive me, I won't let you make me howl no more If God forgive me, I won't let you make me howl no more You want me to do like a wolf baby, drag my tracks out in the cold Now Christmas eve is coming, and you want me down on my bended knees Now Christmas eve is coming darling, and you want the wolf on his bended knees You made me get your shoe, darling you wanna drive poor me
Recorded in 1961. I'm not sure about the words "Every time she stop". The song was included on the Chess CD "Howlin' Wolf" (re-issued on the MCA/Chess "Two On One" CD with another LP, "Moanin' In The Moonlight").
SHAKE FOR ME (Willie Dixon) Sho' look good but you don't mean a thing to me (2x) I got a hip shakin' beauty, shake like a willow tree You went away baby, you got back a little too late (2x) I got a cool shakin' baby, shake like jello on a plate What my baby want, you know she found in my arm (2x) Every time she stop [??], her flush hips shake like jello Oh shake it baby Shake it for me Oh shake little baby Shake it for me Oh shake little baby, do that Shake like a willow tree
Recorded in 1960. It was included on the Chess CD "Howlin' Wolf" (re-issued on the MCA/Chess "Two On One" CD with another LP, "Moanin' In The Moonlight").
Spoonful (Willie Dixon) It could be a spoonful of diamonds Could be a spoonful of gold Just a little spoon of your precious love Satisfy my soul Men lied about a little --- Some of them cried about a little --- Some of them died about a little spoon--- Everything fightin' about a spoonful That spoon, that spoon, that --- It could be a spoonful of coffee Could be a spoonful of tea But a little spoon of your precious love Good enough for me Men lied about that --- Some of them cried about that --- Some of them died about that --- But everything fightin' about a spoonful That spoon, that spoon, that --- It could be a spoonful of water Saved me from the desert sand But one spoon of them forty-five Saved you from another man Men lied about that --- Some of them cried about that --- Some of them died about that --- Everybody fightin' about a spoonful That spoon, that spoon, that ---
This is from the "alternate take" that's on the CD box "Ain't gonna be your dog". Recorded September 18, 1962.
[By the way I *think* he sings "a cooter..." - according to WordNet, a cooter is a "large river turtle of the southern United States and Northern Mexico". Can't say if that creature exhibits the described behavior...]
TAIL DRAGGER (Willie Dixon) I'm a taildragger I swipes out my track When I get what I want I don't come sneakin' back When the mighty Wolf Make a midnight creep Then the hunters They can't find him Stealin' chicks Everywhere he go Then drag his tail Behind him I'm a taildragger I wipe out my track When I get what I want Well I don't come sneakin' back A cooter drags His tail in the sand A fish wiggle His tail in the water When the mighty Wolf Come along waggin' his tail He done stole Somebody's daughter I'm a taildragger I wipe out my tracks When I get what I want Well I don't come sneakin' back
Recorded 1961. It was included on the Chess CD "Howlin' Wolf" (re-issued on the MCA/Chess "Two On One" CD with another LP, "Moanin' In The Moonlight").
The Red Rooster (Willie Dixon) I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day Keep everything in the barnyard, upset in every way Oh the dogs begin to bark, and the hound begin to howl Oh the dogs begin to bark, hound begin to howl Ooh watch out strange kind people, cause little red rooster is on the prowl If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home There ain't no peace in the barnyard, since the little red rooster been gone
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