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.
Back By The River
Dr. John Lyrics
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By the river
Ima float down
By the river
By the river
Ima float down
By the river
By the river
By the river
By the river
Ima float down
And ima float down
To where the shows at I know that
I gotta be the level where the pros at
I show that I don't really care where all the hoes at
Cause they can't have conversations like me and you
Or do the shit that me and you do
Like how we fight and we makeup and you do your makeup
And I just be chasing something that I know won't be there when I wakeup
So ill just stay up and
Deal with all the stresses and deal with all the messes
I never thought that you would pull the trigger but now I'm just floating down
By the river
By the river
By the river
By the river
And ima float down
Ima float right down
Ima float down
Ima float right down
By the river
By the river
Ima float down
By the river
By the river
Ima float down
By the river
By the river
Ima float down
By the river
By the river
Ima float down
And you know I'm going up now
Up Down
People used to say I suck now
I'll flip this whole shit in a second
Yea you see it shut down
I used to be stuck on perception
Let's see where I go now
I wouldn't trade it for the world
Wouldn't trade it for my town
So don't say I switched up
Cause I never really know what to mix up
I got the sprite with the vodka yea I lift up
And I'm just waiting for the time when my shifts up
By the river
By the river
Ima float down
By the river
By the river
Ima float down
By the river
By the river
Ima float down
By the river
By the river
Ima float down
By the river
By the river
Ima float down
By the river
By the river
Ima float down
In Dr. John's song "Back By The River," the singer repeatedly sings "By the river, I'ma float down," evoking the image of a person feeling lost and aimlessly drifting down a river. The lyrics suggest that the singer is trying to find his way to where "the shows at" and where "the pros at," indicating a desire to be successful in the music industry. However, the singer is also aware that success can come with its own set of problems, such as dealing with "all the stresses and all the messes."
The lines "I never thought that you would pull the trigger but now I'm just floating down" also suggest that the singer has been betrayed by someone close to him, perhaps a partner or collaborator. The frustration caused by this betrayal may be the reason why the singer is drifting aimlessly down the river. He acknowledges that he is trying to distract himself from his problems by "chasing something that I know won't be there when I wake up," but he also seems resigned to the fact that he can't escape his troubles. The line "And you know I'm going up now" could suggest that the singer sees success as his only way out of his current situation.
Overall, "Back By The River" is a song about feeling lost, betrayed, and aimless. The singer is searching for success and fulfillment, but is also aware of the potential pitfalls and struggles that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
By the river
The singer is near a river.
Ima float down
The singer plans to float down the river.
And ima float down
The singer reaffirms their plans to float down the river.
To where the shows at I know that
The artist is heading to where the entertainment is happening.
I gotta be the level where the pros at
The artist intends to be at the level of the professionals.
I show that I don't really care where all the hoes at
The singer is not interested in superficial relationships.
Cause they can't have conversations like me and you
The singer values deep, meaningful conversations with their companion.
Or do the shit that me and you do
The artist values the unique experiences they share with their companion.
Like how we fight and we makeup and you do your makeup
The artist appreciates the dynamic nature of their relationship, including conflicts and the process of making up afterwards.
And I just be chasing something that I know won't be there when I wakeup
The artist acknowledges they have been pursuing something intangible and transitory.
So ill just stay up and
The singer decides to continue their pursuit, regardless of the uncertainty.
Deal with all the stresses and deal with all the messes
The artist is willing to cope with the challenges and difficulties of their pursuit.
I never thought that you would pull the trigger but now I'm just floating down
The singer was caught off guard by their companion's actions, resulting in a sense of aimlessness and uncertainty.
And you know I'm going up now
The singer is confident in their upward trajectory.
Up Down
The singer may be referring to the ups and downs of their pursuit.
People used to say I suck now
The artist has faced criticism and doubt in the past.
I'll flip this whole shit in a second
The artist is capable of turning things around quickly and effectively.
Yea you see it shut down
The singer has overcome the obstacles they faced before.
I used to be stuck on perception
The singer was preoccupied with how they were perceived by others.
Let's see where I go now
The artist is open to further growth and opportunity.
I wouldn't trade it for the world
The artist is grateful for their experiences and wouldn't want to change them.
Wouldn't trade it for my town
The artist is particularly attached to their hometown or community.
So don't say I switched up
The singer doesn't want to be accused of changing or abandoning their past.
Cause I never really know what to mix up
The artist may not fully understand why others perceive them the way they do.
I got the sprite with the vodka yea I lift up
The singer may indulge in substances to help them cope or relax.
And I'm just waiting for the time when my shifts up
The singer is willing to continue their pursuit until circumstances change or they achieve their goal.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Anthony Santoli, John Mistretta
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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