Dr. John began making his own idiosyncratic music in the 1960s. Along with Professor Longhair, Dr. John is heir to the rich New Orleans tradition. He is perhaps best known for "Right Place, Wrong Time", an international hit in 1973, reissued and used on soundtracks many times since.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, his professional musical career began as a session musician in New Orleans in the 1950s. Early on he also played guitar and was often known as Mac Rebennack. He switched to the bass ("the lowest time of my life"), and then the piano after his index finger was nearly shot off protecting his bandmate and longtime friend Ronnie Barron. He gained fame beginning in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with music that combined New Orleans-style rhythm and blues with psychedelic rock and stage shows that bordered on voodoo religious ceremonies, including elaborate costumes and headdress. For a time he was billed as Dr. John, The Night Tripper. The name "Dr. John" came from a legendary Louisiana voodoo practitioner from the start of the 19th century.
Dr. John has also done vocals for Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits' "Luv dat chicken..." jingle, as well as the theme song ("My Opinionation") for the early-1990s television sitcom Blossom. His movie credits include Martin Scorsese's documentary The Last Waltz (in which he joins The Band for a performance of his song "Such a Night") and Blues Brothers 2000 (in which he joins the fictional band The Louisiana Gator Boys to perform the song "New Orleans"). In the 2009 Disney film The Princess and the Frog, Dr. John sings the opening tune, "Down in New Orleans".
In January 2008 Mac Rebennack, Dr. John, was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame.
Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home
Dr. John Lyrics
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Howdy-do me, watch me smile
Fare-thee-well me after a while
Cause I gotta roam
And any place I hang my hat is home
Sweetenin' water, cherry wine
Thank you kindly, suits me fine
That's my honeycomb
'Cause any place I hang my hat is home
Birds roostin' in a tree
Pick up and go, and the goin' proves
That's how it oughta be
I pick up too when the spirit moves me
(I go where it behoves me**)
Cross the river, 'round the bend
"Hello stranger!", "So long friend!"
There's a voice in the lonesome wind
That keeps whisp'ring, "Roam!"
I'm going where a welcome mat is
No matter where that is
Cause any place I hang my hat is home
The lyrics to Dr. John's song "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home" reflect a sense of freedom and a nomadic spirit. The singer describes their carefree and easygoing lifestyle, where they can easily adapt to any place they find themselves in. The lyrics convey a sense of wanderlust and a desire to constantly move and explore new horizons.
The opening lines, "Free and easy, that's my style, Howdy-do me, watch me smile," suggest a laid-back attitude towards life. The singer embraces change with open arms and sees departing from one place as an opportunity to discover a new one. They bid farewell to people they meet along the way, knowing that their travels will take them further. The idea of home is not tied to a specific location but rather a feeling of comfort and belonging that can be found anywhere.
The song takes the listener on a journey through different places, such as Kansas City and Caroline, which are presented as temporary abodes. These places serve as "honeycombs," offering a sweet escape and a sense of familiarity. The lyrics emphasize the transient nature of the singer's lifestyle, where they can find solace and contentment anywhere they choose to hang their hat.
The imagery of birds roosting in a tree symbolizes the natural instinct to move and migrate. The lyrics suggest that the singer follows this instinct, understanding that it is how things should be. They go where the spirit and the necessity (behoves) call them. They cross rivers, say hello to strangers, bid farewell to friends, and listen to the whispering voice of the wind, all expressing their nomadic disposition.
Overall, Dr. John's "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home" celebrates the idea of finding a home wherever one may land and embracing the constant change and adventure that comes with a wandering spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Free and easy, that's my style
I live my life without restrictions or burdens
Howdy-do me, watch me smile
Greet me and observe my joyful demeanor
Fare-thee-well me after a while
Bid me farewell when it's time for me to leave
Cause I gotta roam
Because I have a strong urge to travel and explore
And any place I hang my hat is home
Wherever I find myself, I feel a sense of belonging and comfort
Sweetenin' water, cherry wine
Delightful beverages that bring me satisfaction
Thank you kindly, suits me fine
Expressing gratitude for the things that please me
Kansas City, Caroline
Locations that hold significance to me
That's my honeycomb
They are places where I find sweetness and warmth
'Cause any place I hang my hat is home
Regardless of where I settle temporarily, it becomes my home
Birds roostin' in a tree
Observing birds finding solace in a tree
Pick up and go, and the goin' proves
They move on freely, demonstrating the right way to live
That's how it oughta be
That is the ideal way to live
I pick up too when the spirit moves me
I also follow my instincts when I feel compelled to move
(I go where it behoves me**)
(I go where it's fitting and appropriate for me)
Cross the river, 'round the bend
Traversing obstacles and taking different paths
"Hello stranger!", "So long friend!"
Exchanging greetings with unfamiliar faces and bidding farewell to familiar ones
There's a voice in the lonesome wind
A haunting message carried by the desolate wind
That keeps whisp'ring, "Roam!"
It persistently encourages me to wander and explore
I'm going where a welcome mat is
I am heading towards places where I am warmly received
No matter where that is
Regardless of the specific location
Cause any place I hang my hat is home
Because wherever I find myself settling becomes my home
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HAROLD ARLEN, JOHNNY MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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