Clap for the Wolfman

"Clap for the Wolfman" is a song written by Burton Cummings, Bill Wallace, and Kurt Winter performed by their band, the Guess Who. The song appeared on their 1974 album, Road Food. The song was ranked #84 on Billboard magazine's Top Hot 100 songs of 1974.^[3]

"Clap for the Wolfman"
Cover of the 1974 German single
Single by the Guess Who
from the album Road Food
B-side	"Road Food"
Released	June 1974
Recorded	1973–1974
Studio	RCA Studio A (Hollywood), Sound Stage (Toronto)
Genre	Rock and roll[1] comedy rock[2]
Length	3:27 (Single Version) 4:20 (album version)
Label	RCA Victor
Songwriter(s)	Burton Cummings, Bill Wallace, Kurt Winter
Producer(s)	Jack Richardson
The Guess Who singles chronology
"Star Baby" (1974) "Clap for the Wolfman" (1974) "Dancin' Fool" (1974)

Background

The song is an homage to Wolfman Jack, who is featured talking in his typical on-air DJ voice several times on the recording, including echoing Steve Miller's "pompatus of love" remark from his own contemporary hit The Joker. Wolfman Jack performed the song with the Grass Roots in "The Midnight Special" and even in some live dates with the group. Om other occasions Burton Cummings would impersonate Wolfman Jack's voice^[4].

Chart history

It reached #4 in Canada^[5] and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974.^[6] It also reached the top 20 in the Netherlands, Belgium and South Africa.

Weekly charts Chart (1974) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report) 39 Belgium[7] 18 Canada RPM Top Singles[8] 4 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[9] 9 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[10] 11 South Africa (Springbok Radio)[11] 14 US Billboard Hot 100[12] 6 US Cash Box Top 100 10

Year-end charts Chart (1974) Rank Canada[13] 65 Netherlands[14] 91 US Billboard Hot 100[15] 84 US Cash Box[16] 94