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 Shot
Dr. John Lyrics

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Once was a sweet thang baby....Held out her lovin' in our hands
Now I reach to kiss your lips....The touch don't mean a thing
And that's a cold shot baby....Yeah that's a drag
A cold shot baby....I let our love go bad

Remember the way that you loved me....Do anything I said
Now I see you out somewhere....You won't give me the time of day
And that's a cold shot darlin'....Yeah that's a drag

And that's a cold shot baby....We let our love go bad

I really meant I was sorry....For ever causin' you pain
You showed your appreciation....By walkin' out anyway
And that's a cold shot baby....Yeah that's a drag
And that's a cold shot baby...We let our love go bad

So sad....Too bad....So sad
Don't let our true love run cold baby

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dr. John's song "Cold Shot" describe the painful process of watching a relationship go sour. The opening lines describe the sweetness and intimacy that the couple once shared: "Once was a sweet thang baby....Held out her lovin' in our hands." But now, the singer reaches out to kiss his partner's lips and finds that the touch doesn't mean anything anymore. It's a "cold shot" - a blow that leaves him feeling disappointed and disconnected. He regrets that they've let their love go bad.

The second verse adds to the sense of loss and regret. The singer remembers how his partner used to love him and follow his lead: "Remember the way that you loved me....Do anything I said." But now, he sees her out somewhere and she won't even acknowledge him: "You won't give me the time of day." The chorus repeats the depressing refrain that their love has gone bad and that it's a "cold shot."

In the final verse, the singer expresses remorse for causing his partner pain and apologizes. But she's already left him, showing no gratitude for his apology: "You showed your appreciation....By walkin' out anyway." The song ends with a plea not to let their true love run cold, but it's clear that the relationship is already beyond repair.

Line by Line Meaning

Once was a sweet thang baby....Held out her lovin' in our hands
You used to be such a sweet and loving partner who cared about us, but that seems like a distant memory now.

Now I reach to kiss your lips....The touch don't mean a thing
When I try to kiss you now, it's as if the love we once had has vanished completely.

And that's a cold shot baby....Yeah that's a drag
The realization that our love has died is hard to bear and it's a painful blow to me.

A cold shot baby....I let our love go bad
Our love went sour and I accept the blame for letting it get to this stage.

Remember the way that you loved me....Do anything I said
I can't forget how much you once loved me and how willing you were to do anything for me.

Now I see you out somewhere....You won't give me the time of day
When I see you now, you barely acknowledge my presence and it's like I don't even exist to you.

And that's a cold shot darlin'....Yeah that's a drag
It's really disheartening to see you act so cold and distant towards me now.

I really meant I was sorry....For ever causin' you pain
I genuinely regret hurting you and causing you pain in any way.

You showed your appreciation....By walkin' out anyway
Despite my apology, you still chose to leave and show your disappointment in me.

So sad....Too bad....So sad
It's really unfortunate that our love didn't last and it's a sad situation to be in.

Don't let our true love run cold baby
Let's not allow the love we once had to completely fade away and become cold.

Contributed by Aaliyah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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