The Back Door Wolf was Howlin' Wolf's final studio album, released in 1973 on Chess Records. It was produced by Ralph Bass and recorded in Chicago. The record features a rawer, more direct sound, moving away from the orchestral arrangements of his earlier work.
The album includes covers of songs by other artists, such as Willie Dixon's "Coon on the Moon" and J.B. Lenoir's "Speak Now Woman." Howlin' Wolf, already in poor health, displayed a still powerful but deeper voice. The cover art shows a photograph of the musician wearing a cowboy hat.
Despite not achieving the commercial success of his previous works, The Back Door Wolf is considered a testament to Howlin' Wolf's artistic resilience. It was his last release during his lifetime, as he died in 1976. The album has been reissued on CD with bonus tracks.