Howlin’ Wolf – Smokestack Lightnin’

Songwriter: Chester Burnett a.k.a. Howlin’ Wolf
Recorded in Chicago, January 1956.
Producers: Leonard Chess, Phil Chess, Willie Dixon.

“Smokestack Lightning” received a Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999, honoring its lasting historical significance. It is ranked number 291 in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. In 1985, the song was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in the “Classics of Blues Recordings” category. It is also included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame list of the “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll”. In 2009, “Smokestack Lightning” was selected for permanent preservation in the National Recording Registry of the U.S. Library of Congress.

Lyrics:
Ah-oh, smokestack lightnin’
Shinin’ just like gold
Why don’t ya hear me cryin’?
A-whoo-hooo, oooo
Whooo

Whoa-oh, tell me baby
What’s the matter with you?
Why don’t ya hear me cryin’?
Whoo-hooo, whoo-hooo
Whooo

Whoa-oh, tell me baby
Why did ya stay last night?
A-why don’t ya hear me cryin’?
Whoo-hooo, whoo-hooo
Whooo

Whoa-oh, stop your train
Let a poor boy ride
Why don’t ya hear me cryin’?
Whoo-hooo, whoo-hooo
Whooo

Whoa-oh, fare ya well
Never see a you no more
A-why don’t ya hear me cryin’?
Oooo, whoo-hooo, whoo-hooo
Whooo

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