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.
Grass Is Greener
Dr. John Lyrics
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In a clapboard house where the grass was brown
Couldn't wait to get away
Nothin' could make me stay
Took off at seventeen to find some green
I had my dreams
When I walked out of that door
The grass is always greener
In the other side
I couldn't find the green
No matter how I tried
Seeking fortune and fame
I tried hard to make a name
I'd get up but life would knock me down
So here I am back where the grass is brown
Thank God you never left this little boondock town
You always kind of liked it that the grass was brown
I couldn't wait to get away but now I wanna stay
I was lookin' for some green but found my Queen
I still have dreams
Here she comes walkin' thru that door
Yeah, I found everything that I was lookin' for
The grass is always greener
In the other side
I couldn't find the green
No matter how I tried
Seeking fortune and fame
I tried hard to make a name
I'd get up but life would knock me down
So here I am back where the grass is brown
Yeah you were waitin' for me
While I wandered all around
Now I'm lovin' life back where the grass is brown
Yeah I'd get up but life would knock me down
Now I'm lovin' life back where the grass is brown
The lyrics of "Grass Is Greener" by Dr. John tell a story of someone growing up in a small, desolate town where the grass is brown and dull. The singer couldn't wait to leave and explore the world, hoping to find a place where the grass is greener, metaphorically representing a better, more fulfilling life. At seventeen, they set off in search of that green grass, full of dreams and aspirations.
However, as they ventured out into the world, they realized that the grass is always greener on the other side, meaning that no matter where they went or what they achieved, they never found the happiness or fulfillment they were seeking. Despite their efforts to find fortune, fame, and success, life seemed to constantly knock them down.
The perspective then shifts to someone else, perhaps a partner or a friend, who stayed behind in the small town. This person never desired to leave and actually appreciated the simplicity and familiarity of life where the grass is brown. It is revealed that the singer has returned to their hometown and now sees the beauty in the life they once longed to escape. They have found love and contentment, realizing that everything they were looking for was right in front of them all along.
Line by Line Meaning
Grew up in this sun-baked, burnt out boondock town
I was raised in a small, deserted town under the scorching sun
In a clapboard house where the grass was brown
In a wooden house with a lawn that lacked greenery
Couldn't wait to get away
I had an eagerness to leave
Nothin' could make me stay
There was nothing keeping me there
Took off at seventeen to find some green
At seventeen, I left in search of a better life
I had my dreams
I had aspirations
When I walked out of that door
As I stepped outside
But I never found the green that I was lookin' for
However, I never discovered the prosperity I desired
The grass is always greener
Other places always seem better
In the other side
In different locations
I couldn't find the green
I couldn't find the success or abundance
No matter how I tried
Regardless of my efforts
Seeking fortune and fame
In search of wealth and recognition
I tried hard to make a name
I put in much effort to gain reputation
I'd get up but life would knock me down
I would rise after failures, but hardships would come my way
So here I am back where the grass is brown
Thus, I find myself returning to where life is more modest
Thank God you never left this little boondock town
I am grateful that you never departed from this small, rural town
You always kind of liked it that the grass was brown
You always had a fondness for the simplicity of our surroundings
I couldn't wait to get away but now I wanna stay
Initially, I couldn't wait to leave, but now I desire to remain
I was lookin' for some green but found my Queen
Though I sought prosperity, I discovered my true love
I still have dreams
I still hold aspirations
Here she comes walkin' thru that door
At this moment, she enters through the door
Yeah, I found everything that I was lookin' for
Indeed, I found all that I had searched for
Yeah you were waitin' for me
Yes, you were patiently waiting for my return
While I wandered all around
While I roamed aimlessly
Now I'm lovin' life back where the grass is brown
Now, I am enjoying life once again in this simple place
Yeah I'd get up but life would knock me down
Even though I kept trying, life would repeatedly bring me down
Now I'm lovin' life back where the grass is brown
However, now I am content with life in this humble environment
Lyrics © APM MUSIC ASSOCIATED PRODUCTION MUSIC
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