Howlin’ Wolf vs. The Doors | Head 2 Head

In the 24^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Howlin’ Wolf and The Doors contend for the best rendition of “Back Door Man.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song and compare their performances.  After deliberation, we decide which performance is the best or moves us more subjectively.  In the 24^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Howlin’ Wolf and The Doors contend for the best rendition of “Back Door Man”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence! 

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1. Howlin’ Wolf, “Back Door Man” 

Willie Dixon (1915 – 1992), poet laureate of the blues, you have some ‘splainin’ to do! What is “Back Door Man” really about? Having an affair with a married woman and sneaking out the back door. That is what the slang, back door man, means… NOT anal sex, ya pervs 😜! There are plenty of dirty, hokum, and ribald blues songs out there, but “Back Door Man,” originally recorded and released by blues musician Howlin’ Wolf (1910 – 1976), isn’t quite that scandalous.  Well, in Wolf’s hands, he is cheating with married men’s wives: “Well, the men don’t know, but the little girls understand.” “Back Door Man” is the 10^th track on Howlin’ Wolf, released in 1962.

Although it is an old oldie, “Back Door Man” in the hands of Howlin’ Wolf is a whole vibe.  It features beefy, mean guitar playing (Hubert Sumlin, 1931 – 2011).  The groove from the drums (Fred Below, 1926 – 1988) anchors and is infectious as albeit.  The piano playing (Otis Spann, 1930 – 1970) is epic, with ample tinkling and stellar, right-hand, treble tremolos. Holding down the bass is the songwriter, Dixon.  Interestingly, the harmonic progression is simple – one chord.  No worries, as the rhythm and riffs keep things engaging and never monotonous.  The star of the show is Howlin’ Wolf, who wows with his commanding and gritty vocals.  The man, indeed, howls! Most notably, he creeps: “When everybody’s tryin’ to sleep / I’m somewhere making my midnight creep / Every morning, when the rooster crow / Something tell me, I got to go.” True, considering you are cheating, Mr. Wolf.  The second verse iss, um, violent.  He [the backdoor man] “shot [him] full o’ holes…” “Killed him for murder, first degree / Judge’s wife cried, let the man go free.” Hmm, I wonder why? Similarly, in the third verse, “the cop’s wife cried, don’t take him down.” Entertaining from start to finish, “Back Door Man” by Howlin’ Wolf is a surefire blues classic.

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2. The Doors, “Back Door Man”

“Yeah, I’m a back door man / I’m a back door man.” Debunked earlier, “Back Door Man”, by Howlin’ Wolf (1910 – 1976), and covered by The Doors, is NOT about anal sex. This song is often misinterpreted, and those of us with dirty minds probably want this song to be about back-door play.  Butt, rather, but, to reiterate, Jim Morrison (1943 – 1971) was singing about having an affair with a married woman and sneaking out the back door. The Doors’ version, which dramatically contrasts with Howlin’ Wolf’s one-chord original, appears as the seventh track on their 1967 album, The Doors.

Jim Morrison tears it up on “Back Door Man.” The frontman was electrifying – quite the presence. From the beginning, Jim is on, encouraging us, “Yeah, c’mon.” Turned up, he drops the epic chorus, asserting, “‘Cause I’m a back door man / The men don’t know / But the little girls understand.” The chorus is the centerpiece, but the other sections of the song kick some serious ass, too! Getting all the gals, Morrison brags, “I eat more chicken / Than any man ever seen.” Earlier, he informed us, “Hey, all you people that tryin’ to sleep / I’m out to make it with my midnight dream, yeah.” That man is a bad, bad boy! But, honestly, look at Jim – he was hot!  Of course, it’s not all Jim or the lyrics regarding clandestine romantic experiences.  The band cooks. The guitar and bass (Robby Krieger) and drums (John Densmore) are locked in. Arguably, the key ingredient is the keyboard playing of Ray Manzarek (1939 – 2013), particularly his organ playing via the legendary Vox Continental, sigh. In the hands of The Doors, “Back Door Man” is epic.

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The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

So, which legendary musical act delivered the best rendition of “Back Door Man”? Was it the original by Howlin’ Wolf or the transformative cover by The Doors? Originally, I was prepared to say, hands down, The Doors win this head-to-head. Although both versions predate my existence substantially, my introduction to the song was by Jim Morrison and company.  The Doors is a stacked debut album but “Back Door Man” is one of the best moments.  That said, the original by Howlin’ Wolf truly is a whole vibe.  Sure, there is only one chord, and I, as a musician and composer, love more complex harmonic progressions – harmony is my thing.  But that one chord, marvelous musicianship, led by Wolf’s gritty vocals, makes it a special musical listening experience.  What I’m saying is, folks, we have a tie.  With either Howlin’ Wolf or The Doors, you are blessed with killer, cheating music. Rock on 🤘!

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