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.
Goin’ Back To New Orleans
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the Mississippi
We'll take a boat to the land of dreams
Steam down the river, down to New Orleans
The band's there to meet us
Old friends there to greet us
Where all the proud and elite folks meet
Basin Street is the street
Where the best folks always meet
In New Orleans, land of dreams
You'll never know how nice it seems,
Or just how much it really means
Glad to be, oh yes-sirree
Where welcome's free and dear to me
Where I can lose, lose my Basin Street Blues
Basin Street, oh Basin Street
Is the street, mama
New Orleans, land of dreams
The lyrics of the song Basin Street Blues by Dr. John is a vivid depiction of the beauty and grandeur of New Orleans. The singer invites the listeners to join him on a boat ride to the Mississippi, which leads to the land of dreams - New Orleans. As they journey down the river, the lyrics describe the experiences that await them in New Orleans, where old friends and a band greet them. The place where the elite and the proud folks meet is called Basin Street, which is regarded as heaven on earth. The street is where the best folks always meet.
The lyrics of the song also give a sense of how much the singer loves being in Basin Street as the welcome is free and dear to him. The final verse of the song conveys the artist's wish to lose his Basin Street Blues. It suggests that he does not want to leave the mesmerizing city and its dreamlike wonders. The song is a tribute to the city of New Orleans and its cultural significance in American music history.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't you come along with me
Invitation to a journey
To the Mississippi
Refers to the river
We'll take a boat to the land of dreams
Referring to New Orleans, a place of dreams
Steam down the river, down to New Orleans
Traveling by boat to New Orleans
The band's there to meet us
Referring to the welcoming band in New Orleans
Old friends there to greet us
Referring to friends in New Orleans
Where all the proud and elite folks meet
Referring to high society gatherings in Basin Street
Heaven on earth, they call it Basin Street
Basin Street is often referred to as heaven on earth
Basin Street is the street
Introduction to Basin Street
Where the best folks always meet
Referring to high society in Basin Street
In New Orleans, land of dreams
Referring to the city of New Orleans
You'll never know how nice it seems,
Expressing the beauty of Basin Street
Or just how much it really means
Expressing the importance of Basin Street
Glad to be, oh yes-sirree
Expressing happiness and gratitude to be in Basin Street
Where welcome's free and dear to me
Referring to the welcoming attitude of Basin Street
Where I can lose, lose my Basin Street Blues
Referring to being happy and carefree in Basin Street
Basin Street, oh Basin Street
Reiteration of the importance of Basin Street
Is the street, mama
Referring to the street being popular
New Orleans, land of dreams
Reiteration of New Orleans being a place of dreams
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@krakinnuts876
Man, New orleans gave the world the best musicians they’ve ever seen. Rest In Peace to the doctor
@TheTOCM
Blacksmith Shop, Favorite Bar, Dr. John and Neville Brothers, favorite Nola Musicians, lotsa check marks... I know what it means to miss New Orleans...
@damiancazares7994
Happy Heavenly 82nd Birthday Dr John 1941-2019
@robertatkinson5713
RIP MAC REBENNACK
Dr. John was a musician's musician. One of the best of all time. He exuded the heartbeat of this mortal coil and provided a stained glass window to the human soul.
Playing his music loud today in tribute.
@chuckstermcdaddy4170
There is something magical about NOLA. Dr. John was part of that magic. RIP.
@wayneconn1079
So glad i met you Doc . I waited 2 hrs in the cold . But so so worth it my friend . You were so kind to me . Miss you brother ! Keep on keeping on !!
@jenshintermeier4015
R. I. P
DR. JOHN... WILL MISS YOUR VOICE... WAS GREAT TO GROW UP WITH YOUR MUSIC...
THANKS!
@salwaafef6789
one and the only Dr.John. Forever in love with your music!
@nathanshafer4978
RIP Mac Rebbenack. You will be remembered as one of the greats.
@tommchargue2599
Clarinet???