Initially based in Canvey Island, Essex, on the Thames estuary, Dr. Feelgood broke into the London circuit in 1974. Brilleaux's menacing personality complemented Johnson's propulsive, jerky stage manner, while the guitarist's staccato style dominated the group's idiosyncratic brand of angular rhythm and blues.
Their debut album, Down By The Jetty, was released in 1974, but despite critical approbation, it was not until the following year that the quartet secured due commercial success with Stupidity. Recorded live in concert, this raw, compulsive set topped the UK charts and the group's status seemed assured. However, internal friction led to Johnson's departure during sessions for a projected fourth album and although his replacement, John 'Gypie' Mayo, was an accomplished guitarist, he lacked the striking visual image of his predecessor. Dr. Feelgood then embarked on a more mainstream direction which was only intermittently successful. 'Milk And Alcohol' (1978) gave them their sole UK Top 10 hit. After the punk explosion their raw, jerky sound and clean-cut image provided inspiration to the post-punk generation (John Lydon being a big fan).
Mayo left the band in 1981. Despite this, and various subsequent line-up changes, Dr. Feelgood continued touring and recording, although the band then suffered an almost career-finishing blow, when their frontman, Brilleaux, died of cancer on 7 April 1994. But, as Brilleaux had insisted prior to his demise, Dr. Feelgood reunited, initially with vocalist Pete Gage, and recommenced touring in 1996. Gage was replaced by Robert Kane who, celebrated his 1000th gig as the frontman of Dr. Feelgood in April 2007.
Following Brilleaux's death in 1994, a special concert known as the Lee Brilleaux Birthday Memorial was held on Canvey Island, where former and current Feelgoods celebrated the music of Dr. Feelgood, and raised money for The Fair Havens Hospice in Westcliff-on-Sea. Fans attended from all over the globe, and the 20th and final event was held on 9 May 2014.
Don't You Just Know It
Dr. Feelgood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Huey "piano" Smith, Cotillion Music/Ace Records)
Dr. Feelgood
I can't lose with the stuff I use (Don't you just know it)
Baby don't believe how a true love should (Don't you just know it)
[Chorus]
Ah ha ha ha (Ah ha ha ha)
Goomba-goomba-goomba-goomba (goomba-goomba-goomba-goomba)
Ah ha ha ha (Ah ha ha ha)
Ah ha ha ha (Ah ha ha ha)
Hey-eh-oh (hey-eh-oh)
Hey pretty baby can we go strolling (Don't you just know it)
You gotta be rockin when I want to be rollin (Don't you just know it)
Chorus: Ah ha ha ha ...
Baby baby you're my blue heaven (Don't you just know it)
You got me pushin when I want to be shoving (Don't you just know it)
Chorus: Ah ha ha ha...
Chorus: Ah ha ha ha... (Percussion only)
Accordion break (twice)
The older the woman the more she teases (Don't you just know it)
The younger the woman the tighter she squeezes (Don't you just know it)
Chorus: Ah ha ha ha...
Chorus: Ah ha ha ha...
The song Don't You Just Know It by Dr. Feelgood is a fun, catchy tune with a lighthearted message about the singer's confidence and success with his "stuff." The first two lines of the song, "I can't lose with the stuff I use, baby don't believe how a true love should" reinforces this message of the singer's ability to win over anyone with his charm and skills. The chorus, with its catchy "Ah ha ha ha" and "goomba-goomba-goomba-goomba" lines, serves as a fun, almost nonsensical break between the verses.
The verses themselves are also playful and lighthearted, with lines like "Hey pretty baby can we go strolling, you gotta be rockin when I want to be rollin" highlighting the singer's desire for adventure and excitement. The accordion break, which serves as a musical interlude twice in the song, adds to the overall whimsy and playfulness of the track.
The final set of verses, "The older the woman the more she teases, the younger the woman the tighter she squeezes" is perhaps the most tongue-in-cheek line of the entire song. It plays off of common stereotypes about women, and serves to underscore the overall humorous tone of the track as a whole.
Overall, Don't You Just Know It is a fun, ear-worm worthy song that serves as a great example of fun, playful rock and roll from the 1960s.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you just know it
I have something that everyone wants and can't resist
I can't lose with the stuff I use (Don't you just know it)
Whatever I do, I always come out on top using my special skills
Baby don't believe how a true love should (Don't you just know it)
Don't let others tell you what love is supposed to be like, trust what you feel
Hey pretty baby can we go strolling (Don't you just know it)
Let's go out and have some fun together
You gotta be rockin when I want to be rollin (Don't you just know it)
You need to keep up with me and my rhythm
Baby baby you're my blue heaven (Don't you just know it)
You make me feel happy and peaceful
You got me pushin when I want to be shoving (Don't you just know it)
You challenge me to do more than I thought I could
The older the woman the more she teases (Don't you just know it)
Mature women like to play games and flirt with men
The younger the woman the tighter she squeezes (Don't you just know it)
Younger women tend to cling more tightly to their partners
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Huey P. Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
chris newman
Fine rendition of New Orleans rock & roll by the fabulous Feelgoods classic line up. “Well don’t yuh just know it” ?
Love it :- Chris
Ecihomo Oliveira
Tocava muito na Pop Rio discoteque no CAP Caxias, aos domingos no final da década de 70.
Bons tempos.
Chris Norton
Greatest band ever
Michael Albertson
My favorite Dr. Feelgood song.
Mick from Hooe
Incredible! I've finally found my missing OOOBA GOOBA GOOBA song and Dr Feelgood did it. Originally by Hughie Piano Smith . And yes if Dr F is still on tour - I'm in. Mick.
Roxette
excellent !! même aprés tant d'années , i love that
Γιώργος Δημητριάδης
Magnificent!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Roger Prouse
The greatest band ever to come out of tje uk.. and Wilko !!!!' Well what can I say.... the man
jane oughton
roger prouse ,i agree with you these guys are pure genius ,,,no one comes near there talent ,,,,, never to be repeated xxx
Albert Ducroq
i saw The DOCTOR live '75 at hometown , it's superbe ..... BUT my fave cover was thru The PREMIERS live LP ( 6'T's band )