Howlin' at the Moon

"Howlin' at the Moon" is a song written and recorded by Hank Williams. It rose to #3 on the country singles chart in 1951.

"Howlin' at the Moon"
Single by Hank Williams
B-side"I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love with You)"
Released1951
RecordedMarch 16, 1951, Castle Studio, Nashville
GenreCountry, blues
Length2:42
LabelMGM
Songwriter(s)Hank Williams
Producer(s)Fred Rose
Hank Williams singles chronology
"Cold, Cold Heart"
(1951)		 "Howlin' at the Moon"
(1951)		 "Hey Good Lookin'"
(1951)

Background

The up-tempo "Howlin' at the Moon" celebrates the giddiness of true love. Lyrically, the song reflects Williams' sense of humor and love of hunting. The title is punctuated by the hound dog yodels of fiddler Jerry Rivers.[1] In his book Hank Williams: The Biography, writer Colin Escott observes, "The performance tears along...It was but a short step from there to rockabilly."[1] Williams recorded the song at Castle Studio in Nashville on March 16, 1951. Williams was backed on the session by members of his Drifting Cowboys band, including Jerry Rivers (fiddle), Don Helms (steel guitar), Sammy Pruett (electric guitar), Jack Shook (rhythm guitar), Ernie Newton or "Cedric Rainwater," aka Howard Watts (bass), and either Owen Bradley or producer Fred Rose on piano.[2] The B-side of Howlin' at the Moon," the ballad "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love with You)," outperformed the A-side on the charts, peaking at #2.

Williams disciple George Jones recorded this song for his 1960 album George Jones Salutes Hank Williams.

Chart performance
Chart (1951) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles 3

References
  1. Escott 2004, p. 163.
  2. Escott 2004, p. 344.

Bibliography
  • Escott, Colin (2004). Hank Williams: The Biography. Back Bay. ISBN 0-316-73497-7.
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