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.
Good Night Irene
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had no intention I would get fucked up tonight
But I looked in your eyes and they went through me like a knife
I came here with my crew, I lost them
Came with my cool, I dropped it
And if I'm being honest, I'm being honest
I can't think when you're looking like that
Tell me when you're gonna do me like that (ayy)
I'm too weak and I'm never like that
Light-speed and I think I might crash
One trip, damn, I might never go back
But everything's gonna be alright
I think I just met my wife (yeah, I said it)
I know it's gonna be a good night
I think I just met my wife (oh, oh, alright)
Maybe it's the music or the red stain on your lips
I'm wondering when the right time is to go in for a kiss
But I'm thinking past that lover, I'm ready to meet your momma
If I'm being honest, I'm being honest
I can't think when you're looking like that
Can't breathe when you're moving like that
Tell me when you're gonna do me like that, like that
I wish you knew what I'm thinking right now
I don't know if I can say it out loud
I don't know if I can say it out loud
But everything's gonna be alright
I think I just met my wife (oh, oh)
I know it's gonna be a good night
I think I just met my wife (hey)
Baby, baby, baby
You got me talking crazy
I figure if I say it
You just might be my lady
Baby, it's you, yeah
Baby, it's you, yeah
And ooh, I feel like something good is 'bout to be going on
And baby it's you, yeah, yeah
And baby it's you, yeah
And everything's gonna be alright
I think I just met my wife
Yeah, I know it's gonna be a good night
I think I just met my wife (c'mon)
Everything's gonna be alright
I think I just met my wife (sing it with me)
I know it's gonna be a good night
I think I just met my wife (alright, c'mon)
Everything's gonna be alright (woo)
I think I just met my wife
I know it's gonna be a good night
I think I just met my wife (oh, oh)
The lyrics of the song "Good Night Irene" by Dr. John depict the singer's experience of meeting someone and being completely taken by them. The singer expresses how they had no intention of getting "fucked up" that night but upon seeing the person's eyes, they felt completely taken by them. The singer came to the gathering with their friends and their cool, but they ended up losing both. The person they met has such a mesmerizing effect on them that they can't think or breathe when the person is around. They even indicate that they feel like they're going too fast and might crash, but they're okay with it because they know that everything is going to be alright. They compare meeting this person to meeting their future wife, indicating that they have found someone special with whom they could spend the rest of their life.
The lyrics convey a longing for someone that the singer has just met, but also acknowledge the possibility of being in love with them. The singer expresses a willingness to take things further and to meet the person's mom, indicating that they are not just looking for a one-night stand but a genuine relationship. The lyrics are relatable to anyone who has ever experienced love at first sight and the overwhelming feeling of being drawn to someone.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Expressing agreement or affirmation
I had no intention I would get fucked up tonight
I didn't plan to get drunk tonight
But I looked in your eyes and they went through me like a knife
Your eyes captivated me and made me feel vulnerable
I came here with my crew, I lost them
I arrived with my friends, but I can't find them now
Came with my cool, I dropped it
I was trying to be suave, but I lost my composure
And if I'm being honest, I'm being honest
I'm being truthful right now
I can't think when you're looking like that
I'm mesmerized by your appearance
Can't breathe when you're moving like that
Your movements take my breath away
Tell me when you're gonna do me like that (ayy)
When are you going to make a move on me?
I'm too weak and I'm never like that
I'm usually not this impulsive or vulnerable
Light-speed and I think I might crash
My emotions are overwhelming me
One trip, damn, I might never go back
I'm so taken with you that I might not recover
But everything's gonna be alright
I feel good about this
I think I just met my wife (yeah, I said it)
I believe I just met the woman I'll marry
I know it's gonna be a good night
I'm confident that this will be a fantastic evening
Maybe it's the music or the red stain on your lips
I'm attracted to the song or the lipstick on your mouth
I'm wondering when the right time is to go in for a kiss
I'm considering whether now is the right moment to kiss you
But I'm thinking past that lover, I'm ready to meet your momma
I'm imagining a future with you and meeting your mother
If I'm being honest, I'm being honest
I'm still telling the truth
I wish you knew what I'm thinking right now
I want you to know what's going through my head
I don't know if I can say it out loud
I'm not sure if I'm ready to verbalize my thoughts
Baby, baby, baby
Affectionate address to the person
You got me talking crazy
I'm saying silly things because of you
I figure if I say it
I'm hoping that if I express my feelings
You just might be my lady
You may become my girlfriend or partner
Baby, it's you, yeah
I'm heavily attracted to you
And ooh, I feel like something good is 'bout to be going on
I sense that good things are about to happen
And everything's gonna be alright
I still feel good about this situation
Everything's gonna be alright
I'm reassuring myself
c'mon
Encouragement to continue
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, O/B/O CAPASSO, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN LEGEND, MICHAEL LOUIS DIAMOND, RACHEL AGATHA KEEN, SASHA YATCHENKO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ILona Jean Passino
Nothing gets me in a good and happy mood faster than listening to Dr John's music! SO missed. You were a Godsend to the music lovers out there everywhere .
Dave’s Mum
I totally agree. I’m currently being treated for cancer & on my down days I can be guaranteed an immediate mood change after listening to this wonderful man. He might not be with us, but he did not die.
Bo Breda
I'm another in that state and agree that listening to the doctor is a sure way to feel better. He's always somewhere in my soul. My family is from St. Landry Parish and he owned some land there, so I sort of feel an extra connection.
Carolyn Zniewski
Just crank up that audio, man.
TBEAR & ROOT 66
The Dr. has left the building and across this mortal plain . I cried tonight from sadness, as he boarded that heavenly train. He walked on Gilded Splinters with a Zulu staff of light and as he lifted into to the sky he whispered Such a Night...
jwollheim
RIP Dr John, thanks for all the amazing tunes
Cody mangus
So sad to hear hes no longer here with us... I grew up listening to rhis music icon
Ronald Grimes
What I like about John is the fact that he plays the songs long enough for you to really get good enjoyment out of them. Sometimes he'll go 6 or 8 minutes on a song. I like that.
Raid One
Love it!
Ron Mallery
Agree