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.
Black Night
Dr. John Lyrics
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I ain't even got a friend
Baby's gone and left me
When will my troubles end?
Black night is falling
Oh, how I hate to be alone
I keep crying for my baby
Got no one to talk with
To tell my troubles to
Don't even know I'm living since I lost you
My mother has her troubles
My father has his, too
My brother's in Korea
And I don't know what to do
The lyrics of Dr. John's "Black Night" describe a person who is feeling alone and abandoned, with nobody to turn to for comfort or support. The singer laments that he has no friends and that his lover has left him, leaving him to face the darkness of night all by himself. He longs for her to return, but each passing day only serves to deepen his feelings of isolation and despair. The singer yearns for someone to confide in, but he is left with only his own thoughts and sorrows to occupy his mind. The mention of his family members only serves to emphasize the sense of distance he feels from those closest to him, as they are all dealing with their own problems and are unable to offer him any solace.
The lyrics of "Black Night" speak to the universal human experience of loneliness and heartbreak. The song captures the feeling of being adrift in the world, with no anchor or guide to help navigate the storms of life. It is a poignant reminder that even in our darkest moments, we are not alone in our pain, and that there is always the possibility of finding comfort and companionship, whether that be through the kindness of others or by tapping into our own inner strength and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody cares about me
I feel completely alone and neglected by everyone around me.
I ain't even got a friend
I do not have anyone to talk to or hang out with in my life.
Baby's gone and left me
The person who was my partner and source of support has left me, leaving me feeling helpless and lost.
When will my troubles end?
I am struggling with various problems in my life, and it seems like there is no end in sight to the difficulties I am facing.
Black night is falling
As the darkness closes in around me, my feelings of isolation and despair are getting worse.
Oh, how I hate to be alone
Being alone is very painful and upsetting for me, and I wish I had someone by my side to comfort me.
I keep crying for my baby
I am still grieving over the loss of my partner, and I cannot stop thinking about them or how much I miss them.
But now another day is gone
Time seems to be moving very slowly, and my life feels like it is stuck in a rut without any progress or improvement.
Got no one to talk with
I do not have anyone to confide in or share my problems with, which makes my situation even more difficult.
To tell my troubles to
There is no one in my life who I can trust and confide in regarding the issues and challenges I am facing.
Don't even know I'm living since I lost you
Without my partner by my side, life feels empty and meaningless, and I struggle to find purpose or joy in anything I do.
My mother has her troubles
My mom is dealing with her own set of problems and challenges in life, which means she cannot be fully present and supportive in my life.
My father has his, too
My dad is also facing his own difficulties, which makes it hard for him to be there for me when I need him most.
My brother's in Korea
My sibling is currently stationed in a far-off country, which means they are not around to offer me support or companionship.
And I don't know what to do
I am feeling lost and helpless, unsure of where to turn or what steps to take to ease my pain and find a way forward in my life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jessie Mae Robinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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