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.
Careless Love
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've fly through my head like wine
You've wrecked the life of a many poor girl
And you nearly spoiled this life of mine
Love, oh love, oh careless love
In your clutches of desire
You've made me break a many true vow
Love, oh love, oh careless love
All my happiness bereft
You've filled my heart with weary old blues
Now I'm walkin', talkin' to myself
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Trusted you now, it's too late
You've made me throw my old friend down
That's why I sing this song of hate
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Night and day, I weep and moan
You brought the wrong man into this life of mine
For my sins, till judgment I'll atone
The lyrics to Dr. John's song "Careless Love" describe the singer's tumultuous relationship with love. It is personified as a careless force that has brought both joy and pain into the singer's life. The lyrics are characterized by a sense of desperation, as the singer laments the way love has ruined his life and made him break promises to others. He speaks of feeling trapped in love's "clutches of desire" and being unable to escape its hold.
The repeated refrain of "Love, oh love, oh careless love" becomes more and more despairing as the song goes on. The singer speaks of being "bereft" of happiness and filled with "weary old blues" because of love's influence. He even goes so far as to call his feelings hate, singing "That's why I sing this song of hate" in the final verse. The overall tone of the lyrics is one of bitterness and regret, as the singer recognizes the damage love has done to himself and others.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, oh love, oh careless love
The singer addresses love, describing it as careless and difficult to handle.
You've fly through my head like wine
Love has impacted the singer's thoughts and actions like alcohol.
You've wrecked the life of a many poor girl
Love has negatively affected the lives of many women, leaving them struggling.
And you nearly spoiled this life of mine
The singer has been personally impacted by love and nearly went down an unfavorable path because of it.
In your clutches of desire
The singer describes love as a possessive and all-encompassing force that drives people's desires.
You've made me break a many true vow
Love can cause people to compromise their values and abandon promises they've made to themselves or others.
Then you set my very soul on fire
The singer speaks of love's passionate nature, the intensity of which can be overwhelming.
All my happiness bereft
The singer has lost all their happiness because of love.
You've filled my heart with weary old blues
The singer is filled with sadness and depression due to the effects of love.
Now I'm walkin', talkin' to myself
The singer is speaking to themselves as a result of the mental and emotional toll of love.
Trusted you now, it's too late
The singer trusted love, but it's too late to turn back now.
You've made me throw my old friend down
Love has caused the singer to sacrifice relationships with their friends or loved ones.
That's why I sing this song of hate
The singer expresses resentment and anger towards love through music.
Night and day, I weep and moan
The singer is in a constant state of sadness and distress due to love's effects.
You brought the wrong man into this life of mine
Love has caused the singer to be with the wrong person, causing regrets and negative impact on their life.
For my sins, till judgment I'll atone
The singer feels like they must make amends for the mistakes or consequences caused by love, possibly through a spiritual or religious perspective.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MAC REBENNACK, MALCOLM J. REBENNACK, MARTIN KAELIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zachary6667
Speechless, excellent rendition of a beautiful song
@bennyjazzful
WOW
Wonderful version of a classic oldie by some fantastic musicians.
From a 72yo Aussie fan.
@rennyshelton
Love this song and this version of it.
@RicardoLopez-ft8do
Genio total
@tjcolatrella943
I got this on cassette as soon as it was released still have it..
@inuyasha1528
Dope song
@1blastman
Rock In Paradise, Mac. You were a true New Orleans spirit.
@antonspelman
Farewell the good Doctor, trailblazer whilst retracing the roots of riddum an' bloooze baby