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.
BIG SHOT
Dr. John Lyrics
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But hold it down
Don't over sell it,
And you can hang around
Never been, done like I can
Ain't never gonna be done again
Ain't stuck up, don't put on no airs
Fuss and cuss, and I never split hairs
Ain't never was, never gonna be
Another big shot like me
I'm the big shot,
Laying in the cut for you to see
Let's me and you go off somewhere child
I do your thing in my own kinda style
If I don't cure ya, I'm sure to kill ya
Got the remedy that's sure to heal ya
Ain't never was, never gonna be
Another big shot like me
I'm the big shot,
Laying in the cut for you to see
If you don't follow that ratty second line file,
Snatch ya up, light ya up, make you smile
If you're stalled at the wall
Gonna be balled with style
Send ya to the precinct for loitering child
Gold diggers, money wasters, that's my groove
Hey child, whose little who is you?
I'm the big shot
Turn ya on, shut 'em off that's right
Saturate ya, when I signify
Fragile child, handle you with care
I can rough and tough it if you like it there
It never was, never gonna be
Another big shot like me
It never was, never gonna be
Another big shot like me
It never was, never gonna be
Another big shot like me
I'm the big shot, laying in the cut for you
For all you to see
The song "Big Shot" by Dr. John is about the singer's confidence and self-assuredness. He sings about being a one-of-a-kind individual who can't be duplicated. He tells his listeners not to try to oversell themselves and to just hang around and watch him do his thing. The singer mentions that he has never been done like anyone else and that no one else will ever be like him. He does not put on any airs or act stuck up, but he does not shy away from complaining or getting angry about things.
In the second verse, the singer invites someone to go somewhere with him and see firsthand what he can do. He talks about having the remedy to heal someone and says that he can cure them or kill them depending on how they respond. The singer also talks about being able to handle someone with care or being rough with them if that's what they like.
Overall, the song is about the uniqueness of the singer and how no one else can be like him. He exudes confidence and seems to have a take-it-or-leave-it attitude about his personality and the way he conducts himself.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you're holdin',
I understand that you have something valuable,
But hold it down
Fewer words, more action
Don't over sell it,
Don't exaggerate the value of what you have
And you can hang around
As long as you're genuine, you're welcome here
Never been, done like I can
No one's ever been able to do what I can do
Ain't never gonna be done again
No one will ever be able to do it again
Ain't stuck up, don't put on no airs
I'm not arrogant and pretentious
Fuss and cuss, and I never split hairs
I don't waste time with small details
Ain't never was, never gonna be
No one has ever been and never will be
Another big shot like me
Someone who can outdo me doesn't exist
I'm the bigshot,
I am the most powerful and important
Laying in the cut for you to see
I'm waiting for the perfect moment to shine
Let's me and you go off somewhere child
Let's go somewhere alone
I do your thing in my own kinda style
I will do my part my way
If I don't cure ya, I'm sure to kill ya
If I can't help you, it's hopeless
Got the remedy that's sure to heal ya
I have a solution that will fix everything
If you don't follow that ratty second line file,
If you don't do what you're supposed to
Snatch ya up, light ya up, make you smile
I'll make it right in a fun way
If you're stalled at the wall
If you're stuck and can't move forward
Gonna be balled with style
I'll fix everything with my special touch
Send ya to the precinct for loitering child
I'll detain you and teach you a lesson
Gold diggers, money wasters, that's my groove
My thing is dealing with greedy people
Hey child, whose little who is you?
Who are you trying to fool?
Turn ya on, shut 'em off that's right
I'll fix everything and make it perfect
Saturate ya, when I signify
I'll make sure the solution is well-executed
Fragile child, handle you with care
I'll be gentle with you
I can rough and tough it if you like it there
I can be harsh if that's what you prefer
For all you to see
Everyone can see my greatness
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAN AUERBACH, LEON MICHELS, NICK MOVSHON, BRIAN OLIVE, MALCOLM REBENNACK, MAXIMILIAN WEISSENFELDT
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