Howlin' Wolf - Little Red Rooster

First performance: 29/10/1990


Coverinfo

Bruce played the song only once:
 
1990-10-29 Petty Residence, San Fernando Valley, CA

Played at the Tom Petty’s House in 1990 with various Heartbreakers, Roger McGuinn, Jeff Lynne, and others. 
 
Other cover songs: 
 
 
 

Songinfo

"Little Red Rooster" (or "The Red Rooster" as it was first titled) is a blues standard credited to arranger and songwriter Willie Dixon. The song was first recorded in 1961 by American blues musician Howlin' Wolf in the Chicago blues style. His vocal and slide guitar playing are key elements of the song.  It is rooted in the Delta blues tradition and the theme is derived from folklore. Musical antecedents to "Little Red Rooster" appear in earlier songs by blues artists Charlie Patton and Memphis Minnie. A variety of musicians have interpreted and recorded "Little Red Rooster". Some add new words and instrumentation to mimic the sounds of animals mentioned in the lyrics.

 

Other cover versions

Bruce on the artist

Lyrics

Well, I got a little red rooster
Too lazy to crow 'fore day
Well, I got a little red rooster
Too lazy to crow 'fore day
Keep everything in the barnyard
Upset in every way

Well, the dogs begin to bark
Hound begin to howl
Well, the dogs begin to bark
Hound begin to howl
Oh, watch out, strange kin people
Little red rooster is on the prowl

Oh, if you see my little red rooster
Please drive him home
Well, if you see my little red rooster
Please drive him home
There ain't no peace in the barnyard
Since the little red rooster been gone

I got a little red rooster
Too lazy to crow 'fore day
Oh, I got a little red rooster
Too lazy to crow 'fore day
Keep everything in the barnyard
Upset in every way