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.

Cold Cold Cold
Dr. John Lyrics

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I tried so hard, my dear, to show that you're my every dream
Yet you're afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme
A memory from your lonesome past keeps us so far apart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?

Another love before my time made your heart sad and blue
And so my heart is paying now for things I didn't do
In anger, unkind words are said that make the teardrops start

Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?

You'll never know how much it hurts to see you sit and cry
You know you need and want my love, yet you're afraid to try
Why do you run and hide from life, to try it just ain't smart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?

There was a time when I believed that you belonged to me
But now I know your heart is shackled to a memory
The more I learn to care for you, the more we drift apart

Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?

Overall Meaning

The Dr. John song "Cold Cold Cold" addresses a struggle familiar to many in relationships: attempting to break through the walls of mistrust and fear that are built up due to past experiences. The singer in the song recognizes that the person they love has been hurt in the past by another love, and that this is causing a distance between them. They try to show that they are different, that their love is true, but their efforts seem to be met with suspicion and doubt. It's a frustrating situation for the singer, who sees the potential for a happy future together, but is unable to make progress towards it because of the emotional barriers that have been put up.

Line by Line Meaning

I tried so hard, my dear, to show that you're my every dream
I have been giving my best, my love, to prove that you mean everything to me.

Yet you're afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme
But you seem to fear that everything I do is just an act that will end up hurting you.

A memory from your lonesome past keeps us so far apart
There is a memory from your past that is keeping us from being together, even though we are so close.

Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?
I want to break through your doubts and convince you of my love, so that your frozen heart can thaw.

Another love before my time made your heart sad and blue
I know that a past love that came before my time is what made your heart sad and lonely.

And so my heart is paying now for things I didn't do
I am suffering in the present for things that I did not even do, just because of our past.

In anger, unkind words are said that make the teardrops start
Whenever we get angry, hurtful words are said that just make things worse and bring tears in our eyes.

You'll never know how much it hurts to see you sit and cry
It breaks my heart to see you cry and suffer, and you will never know how much it hurts me too.

You know you need and want my love, yet you're afraid to try
I know that you need and want my love, but you are too scared to give it a chance.

Why do you run and hide from life, to try it just ain't smart
Why are you running away from life and love? It is not wise to not give it a try.

There was a time when I believed that you belonged to me
There was a time when I truly believed that you were mine and we belonged together.

But now I know your heart is shackled to a memory
But now I realize that your heart is still trapped in the past and is holding onto a memory.

The more I learn to care for you, the more we drift apart
The more I care for you, the more it seems like we are drifting away from each other.

Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?
Once again, I wonder why I can't just convince you of my love and get through to your heart.

Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?
Why can't we just be together in love and happiness, without any doubts or fears holding us back?

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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