Howling at the Moon

Subject: Howling At The Moon
From: bflat
Date: 07 Mar 04 - 07:15 PM

I've often wondered about the use of the words: "Howling at the moon" when used in lyrics. Sometimes it is obviously used to show the action of animals, the four legged kind but when it is used with respect to relationships between humans I am unclear. What do you think the songwriter is saying? And, if you would like, give an example. Thanks

Ellen

Subject: Lyr Add: HOWLIN' AT THE MOON (Hank Williams, Sr.)
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Mar 04 - 09:53 PM

HOWLIN' AT THE MOON
Words and music by Hank Williams, Sr.

I know there's never been a man in the awful shape I'm in
I can't even spell my name, my heads in such a spin
Today I tried to eat a steak with a big old tablespoon
You got me chasin' Rabbits, walkin' on my hands
and Howlin' At The Moon.

Well, (*Sug), I took one look at you and it almost drove me mad
And then I even went and lost what little sense I had
Now I can't tell the day from night, I'm crazy as a loon
You got me chasin' Rabbits, pullin' out my hair
and Howlin' At The Moon.

Some friends of mine asked me to go out on a huntin' spree
'Cause there ain't a hound dog in this state that can hold a light to me
I eat three bones for dinner today, then tried to tree a 'Coon
You got me chasin' Rabbits, scratchin' fleas
and Howlin' At The Moon.

I rode my horse to town to day and a gas pump we did pass
I pulled 'im up and I hollered WHOA!, said fill 'im up with gas
The man picked up a monkey wrench and WHAM!, he changed my tune
You got me chasin' Rabbits, spittin' out teeth
and Howlin' At The Moon.

I never thought in this old world a fool could fall so hard
But honey baby, when I fell, the whole world must have jarred
I think I'd quit my doggish ways if you'd take me for your groom
You got me chasin Rabbits, pickin' out rings
and Howlin' At The Moon.

*Sug(ar)

Subject: RE: Howling At The Moon
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Mar 04 - 10:10 PM

Hank Williams' Howlin' at the Moon is in Archives, page 5, on the Record Lady, where it can be heard and downloaded.

Subject: RE: Howling At The Moon
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 07 Mar 04 - 10:15 PM

Text in the DT since 1997, but no tune.

Subject: RE: Howling At The Moon
From: open mike
Date: 07 Mar 04 - 10:27 PM

Sam Bush has an "album" called Howling At The Moon, which has a title song by the same name. It was quite an experience being at the straberry
music festival on a full moon night when he sang it and the entire audience of 5,000 humans howled along...probably sent some wolves and coyotes in the surrounding mountains running for cover with their tails tucked between their legs!!


K.D. Lang also has a song "coyote" which says every time the full moon shines you sit right down and cry..

Subject: RE: Howling At The Moon
From: mack/misophist
Date: 08 Mar 04 - 09:52 AM

One of the reasons for using an image instead of a direct description is the richness of possible associations. The phrase means whatever it means to a particular person at some particular time. As long as it works, let it work.

Subject: RE: Howling At The Moon
From: Willie-O
Date: 08 Mar 04 - 10:00 AM

My damn dog--I can't let her out at night when the moon is full, not matter how cold it is, cause she just gets all exciteable and runs and howls and bugs the (very tolerant) neighbours and gets all their dogs going so they're all howling, and more howling is heard from assorted homesteads and the half-breed wolves that run wild in the creek valley and sometimes I have to get up after midnight and drive up to my neighbour's barnyard and coax man's sometime best friend into the truck so I can get her back in the house and we can FINALLY get some peace and quiet. And yet no one ever says anything. Possibly I'm the lightest sleeper in the neighbourhood.   

It aint just a metaphor!

Subject: RE: Howling At The Moon
From: Clean Supper
Date: 08 Mar 04 - 10:01 AM

It must have something to do with irrepressible instincts and stuff, though. Bringing out the animal inside etc.

I was interested in this thread because I know of an open mike night in Brighton called Howling at the Moon. It was very good and used to be at the Full Moon pub, which was now finished hosting it (perhaps in order to invest in very spindly, uncomfortable bar stools and paint in sick colours and charge nine quid for orange juice - not that that ever happens in Brighton) and I don't know what happened to it. I'm quite sure something similar has now started in another pub, still hosted by Paul Stones, who makes the night fun on his own, even if everyone that got up was crap (which I haven't seen yet). If oyu want me to put you in contact with him, just ask me to.

Subject: RE: Howling At The Moon
From: Ross
Date: 08 Mar 04 - 10:05 AM

I think it is an expression as 'mad for it'

When there is a full moon it's seen as having great effect on the mind - lots of theories - gravity/light cycles/cheese etc

Warewolfs change on full moons - lunatics comes form the word luna (moon)

Tides etc are influenced by the moon - animals supposedly react to the moon cycle

Hence if you were crazy about anything you would be howling at the moon

Just a guess - I'm a Cancerian and supposedly ruled by the moon - I made a full size model of the space shuttle from coke cans like weekend (so I ain't howling)- Saturday was full moon

Subject: RE: Howling At The Moon
From: The Shambles
Date: 08 Mar 04 - 11:52 AM

Local band of that name was mistakenly called by my wife as Howling with the Wind. Which brings up a slightly different vision.

Subject: RE: Howling At The Moon
From: Cool Beans
Date: 08 Mar 04 - 12:54 PM

I've always considered it analogous to "I'm in love (unh!) I'm all shook up." Uh huh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Subject: RE: Howling At The Moon
From: open mike
Date: 08 Mar 04 - 01:06 PM

i believe there are statistics showing that there are more emergencies, 911 calls, emergency room cases, etc. during the full of the moon.
The full mooon was in Leo this last saturday.

Subject: RE: Howling At The Moon
From: bflat
Date: 08 Mar 04 - 07:38 PM

Thanks 'catters. I'm getting the picture. Aahoooooooooooooo!!

Ellen

Subject: RE: Howling At The Moon
From: rich-joy
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 07:06 PM

a song by The Chenilles called "Howling at the Moon" was covered most wonderfully by 4 English folkie females called "Lucky Bags" (who have 2 excellent CDs out and included Judy Dinning as lead singer) - I felt sure there was a Mudcat thread that mentioned this, + lyrics, but if so, it has escaped my search ...

Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: Howling at the Moon
From: GUEST,i tihnk
Date: 29 Feb 12 - 03:41 AM

I think it means that you are expressing yourself passionately when nothing can change. wolves howling at the moon won't chase the moon away. So its analogous to for instance, screaming out loud in sorrow and implaudingly in the face of unrequited love. or being pissed off and shouting and ranting when it wont change the outcome.

Subject: RE: Howling at the Moon
From: gnu
Date: 29 Feb 12 - 01:07 PM

Off topic rock n' roll tune by Warren Zevon.

Subject: RE: Howling at the Moon
From: GUEST,Larry Saidman
Date: 29 Feb 12 - 05:26 PM

Howl at the Moon   (by Cheryl Wheeler)


If I were maybe a wolf or a dog
I wouldn't have to speak
Wouldn't have to talk
Just eat my dinner and go for a walk
And howl at the moon.
And if I were laying there just like you
All curled up the way dogs do
I'd dream that dream that you're dreamin' too
And howl at the moon.
Howl at the moon
Howl at the moon.
And if I could carry your black and white
Sleep so sound, wake so nice
I'd keep real close to my own advice
And howl at the moon.
Oh, you know something I don't know
You go places I can't go
You lift your head when the breezes blow
To voices older than time.
I'll keep you close, oh, I like you near
I'll touch your head and pull your ear
And watch you resting while I sit here
And howl at the moon.
Howl at the moon
Howl at the moon
Howl at the moon.
I'll watch you resting while I sit here
And howl at the moon...