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.
Chick-a wa wa
Dr. John Lyrics
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Still I'm losing some sleep now
A perfect night to walk about
Then lights go off in my head
Why should I be such a divo?
The line's been drawn far as we go
A perfect night to walk about
Still lights go off in my head
So in love you're holding his hand
Still I understand and wish you well, but
I wish he was me, oh, can't you tell?
You can do what you want to
And no one here's going to stop you
Take it in then tone it all down
You live a while, then you're dead
Cause you could do something evil
Or something nice, something regal
Take your car, then go for a drive
And blow it up in a ditch
Bitch
I can see you staring into his eyes
Can't look away, no matter how hard you try
I'll always understand and wish you well, but
I wish he was me, oh, can't you tell?
To be the way I was
And treat you how I did
After all this time
That's just not me
Walking through the dark
Treading through the leaves
I let the ones I love all slip away
I was a fool
I was a fool
I was a fool
I was a fool
I always picture you with another man
So in love your feet in the sand
I'll always understand and wish you well, but
I wish he was me, oh, can't you tell?
I can see you staring into his eyes
Can't look away, no matter how hard you try
I'll always understand and wish you well, but
I wish he was me, oh, can't you tell?
I was a fool, oh
I was a fool, oh
I was a fool, oh
I was a fool
The lyrics to Dr. John's song "Chick-a wa wa" depict a sense of longing and heartache in a relationship. The singer is trying to remain composed and not lose control, but their sleep is being affected by their emotions. The phrase "a perfect night to walk about" suggests a desire for a romantic rendezvous, but the lights going off in their head symbolize moments of realization and self-doubt. The line "Why should I be such a divo?" implies that the singer questions their own behavior and emotional vulnerability.
The lyrics also convey jealousy and a yearning for the person they love, who is seen with another man. The singer acknowledges their understanding and wishes the best for their love interest, but deep down, they wish they were the one holding their hand. The repeated line "I wish he was me, oh, can't you tell?" reflects the intense desire to be the one being loved.
The chorus suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance of the situation. The singer acknowledges that their love interest has the freedom to do whatever they want, whether it is something evil or something nice. This realization is emphasized with the line "You live a while, then you're dead." The use of the word "bitch" may indicate a momentary outburst of frustration and anger towards the situation.
Overall, the lyrics of "Chick-a wa wa" portray a complex emotional dynamic of longing, jealousy, understanding, and acceptance within a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm trying hard not to freak out
I'm making a strong effort to remain calm and composed
Still I'm losing some sleep now
However, I'm finding it difficult to sleep
A perfect night to walk about
The evening is ideal for taking a stroll
Then lights go off in my head
Suddenly, I have an enlightening realization
Why should I be such a divo?
Why should I act like a self-centered or demanding person?
The line's been drawn far as we go
The boundaries have been set for our relationship
I picture you with another man
I imagine you being in a romantic relationship with someone else
So in love you're holding his hand
You are deeply infatuated, as evident by holding his hand
Still I understand and wish you well, but
Nevertheless, I comprehend and want the best for you
I wish he was me, oh, can't you tell?
I desire to be in his place, isn't it obvious?
You can do what you want to
You have the freedom to act as you please
And no one here's going to stop you
No one present will hinder your actions
Take it in then tone it all down
Experience it fully, then calm your intensity
You live a while, then you're dead
You exist for a period and then cease to exist
Cause you could do something evil
Because you have the potential to commit wicked acts
Or something nice, something regal
Or engage in kind and majestic behavior
Take your car, then go for a drive
Take your vehicle and embark on a journey
And blow it up in a ditch
And destroy it in a ditch
Bitch
A derogatory term for a female
I can see you staring into his eyes
I observe you gazing deeply into his eyes
Can't look away, no matter how hard you try
You are unable to divert your gaze, despite your efforts
To be the way I was
To return to my previous state
And treat you how I did
And interact with you as I did before
After all this time
Following such a long duration
That's just not me
However, that is not who I am anymore
Walking through the dark
Navigating through the darkness
Treading through the leaves
Stepping cautiously on the fallen leaves
I let the ones I love all slip away
I allowed the people I care about to all drift apart
I was a fool
I acted naïvely or unwisely
I always picture you with another man
I constantly envision you with someone else
So in love your feet in the sand
So deeply in love that you walk on the sand together
I'll always understand and wish you well, but
I will forever comprehend and desire your happiness, however
I wish he was me, oh, can't you tell?
I wish I was the one in his place, isn't it evident?
I was a fool, oh
I acted foolishly, oh
I was a fool, oh
I acted foolishly, oh
I was a fool, oh
I acted foolishly, oh
I was a fool
I acted foolishly
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Nicholas Carver, Nick Carver
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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