Dr. John (born Malcolm John Rebennack on 20 November 1941; died 6 June 2019… Read Full Bio ↴Dr. John (born Malcolm John Rebennack on 20 November 1941; died 6 June 2019) was an American singer, pianist, guitarist, and songwriter whose music combined blues, boogie woogie and rock and roll. The winner of six Grammy awards, Rebennack was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by singer John Legend on Monday, March 14, 2011. He was variously known as Mac Rebennack, Dr. John Creaux, Dr. John, the Night Tripper.

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.

City Lights
Dr. John Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Back in time

Pre-crime

Before this place

Pre- disgrace

I used to be a noble man

A man of substance with a plan

Keyboard break

Those lights

Oh those city lights

Pre-war

Long before

Head held high

Hold it high

Long before long before

Long before became a longing for

Keyboard break

These city lights

Those city light

(A longing for) Those city lights

(A longing for) Those city lights

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "City Lights" by Dr. John convey a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time before the current state of the world. The singer reflects on a time when he was a noble man, someone of importance and purpose. The mention of "back in time" and "pre-crime" suggests a longing for an era before moral decline and societal unrest. It seems that the singer reminisces about a time when he held his head high with pride and confidence, before it became a mere longing for that feeling.

The repetition of the phrase "those city lights" throughout the song serves as a symbol for the allure and excitement of urban life, representing a time of prosperity and joy. These lights are contrasted with the state of the city in the present, which is marred by war and disgrace. The use of "pre-war" and "long before" implies a shift to a darker period in history, where hope and dignity are lost.

Line by Line Meaning

Back in time
In a previous era

Pre-crime
Before any wrongdoing

Before this place
Prior to being in this location

Pre- disgrace
Before any loss of reputation

I used to be a noble man
I was once an honorable person

A man of substance with a plan
A person with strength and purpose

Keyboard break
Musical interlude

Those lights
The captivating illumination

Oh those city lights
Oh, the enchanting lights of the city

Pre-war
Before any conflict

Long before
A considerable time ago