"The Red Rooster" is a classic blues song written by Willie Dixon, but it became most famously associated with Howlin' Wolf. This blues standard has been covered by various artists, including Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley. The song tells the story of a lazy rooster who refuses to crow and fulfill his duties, causing chaos in the barnyard. The narrator describes the unrest caused by the rooster's laziness, with dogs barking and howling as a warning. The proclamation that "little red rooster is on the prowl" signifies that trouble is coming. The plea to "drag him home" reflects the frustration and desire to bring back the rooster and restore peace in the barnyard. The absence of the rooster has disrupted the balance, and the barnyard is in turmoil since his departure. Overall, the song metaphorically represents the day-to-day struggles and conflicts in life. The lazy rooster symbolizes negligence, disruption, and the breaking of harmony, while the barnyard represents society or personal relationships. Through its simple lyrics and bluesy melody, "The Red Rooster" captures the essence of the blues genre with its storytelling and expression of hardship and longing.
