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.
Be My Guest
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
that worn out line
About love at first sight
Well, I never knew
those words were true
'Til you walked in tonight
All it took was just one look
To knock me off of my feet
So I'll make this short and sweet
Could you
Would you
Ain't you gonna
If I ask you you,
would you want to
Be my baby tonight
Yeah, take a chance,
slow dance
Make a little romance
Honey, it'll be alright
Girl, you got me wishin'
We were huggin' and kissin'
And holdin' each other tight
So, could you
Would you
Ain't you gonna
If I ask you,
would you want to
Be my baby tonight
I'm not trying to come on
like some rhinestone Romeo
I'm lookin' for a whole lot more
Than a one night rodeo
What can I do
To prove to you
I'm layin' it on the line
I'll even get down on my knees
Just to beg you one more time
Yeah, could you
Would you
Ain't you gonna
If I ask you, would you want to
Be my baby tonight
This song portrays a man who has fallen head over heels for a woman at first sight. The man believes in love at first sight since he never understood its true meaning until he saw the woman in question. His feelings for her are so strong that he's anxious to get her into his arms and dance with her. Although he's not very expressive in words, he asks her a simple question, whether she would be interested in being his partner tonight. The singer assures the woman that he's different from other guys who are only after a one night stand, and he wants more than that from her if given the chance.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you've heard
I sense that you've been told
that worn out line
the overused phrase
About love at first sight
of loving upon first encounter
Well, I never knew
I never knew before
those words were true
that such words held veracity
'Til you walked in tonight
until the moment of your arrival
All it took was just one look
merely one glance was necessary
To knock me off of my feet
to enamor me beyond explanation
I'm not a man of many words
I lack verbosity
So I'll make this short and sweet
thus, my statement will be brief and to the point
Could you
is it possible that you could
Would you
are you inclined to
Ain't you gonna
aren't you going to
If I ask you you,
in the case of my inquiry
would you want to
would it interest you to
Be my baby tonight
spend the night in my companionship
Yeah, take a chance,
yes, seize an opportunity
slow dance
participate in a leisurely dance
Make a little romance
generate some ardor between us
Honey, it'll be alright
my love, everything will be okay
Girl, you got me wishin'
you have precipitated my desire
We were huggin' and kissin'
we were embracing and displaying physical affection
And holdin' each other tight
and embracing one another firmly
So, could you
therefore, is it possible
Would you
are you inclined
Ain't you gonna
won't you
If I ask you,
in the event of my inquiry,
would you want to
would you be interested in
Be my baby tonight
spend the night in my companionship
I'm not trying to come on
I'm not attempting to impress
like some rhinestone Romeo
as a synthetic, decorated lover
I'm lookin' for a whole lot more
I am seeking a great deal more
Than a one night rodeo
than a short affair
What can I do
how can I prove
To prove to you
to demonstrate to your satisfaction
I'm layin' it on the line
I am stating my sincerity
I'll even get down on my knees
I will plead with humility
Just to beg you one more time
to request once more
Yeah, could you
yes, is it possible
Would you
are you inclined
Ain't you gonna
won't you
If I ask you, would you want to
in the event I inquire, would you have an interest in
Be my baby tonight
spend the night in my companionship
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDWARD MONROE HILL, RICH FAGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Helen Gannon
Comhghairdeas to you Mary and Dr John .
LíR Media TV
Mile Buiochas Helen.....that means so much. Mary x