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.
Gris Gris Gumbo Ya Ya
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got my sizzling Gris-Gris in my hand
Day trippin' up, back down by you
I'm the last of the best
They call me the Gris-Gris man
Got many clients
Come from miles around
Running down my prescription
I got remedies of every description
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya)
Hey Now
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya)
Hey Now
If you got love trouble, got a bad woman you can't control
I got just the thing for you
Something called control in the hearts get together drops.
If you work to hard and you need a little rest
Try my utilize rub put some on my drop fix and jam,
Put some in your breakfast.
Try a little bit ah
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya)
Hey Now
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya)
They call me, Dr. John
Known as the Night Tripper
Sazzle a little Gris-Gris in my hand
Day trippin' up, Back down by you
I'm the last of the best
They call me the Gris-Gris man
Sellin'
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya)
Mm
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya)
Mm Mm Mm
So why war if your neighbors give you trouble
Put your fitness in the street
Seal a Jew in my whole car in the street
Try my Dragon Blood
My Drawen Hidin'
My Secret Sand
Try a little black cat if your woman got another man
So easy does it as you put it in the palm of your hand
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya)
Put on a woman's feet
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya)
Mumble
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya)
No, no, no
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya)
Gris Gris Gumbo Ya Ya
Hey Now..
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya)
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya)
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya)
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya)
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya)
The lyrics to Dr. John's "Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya" describe the experiences of the singer, who identifies himself as Dr. John, the Night Tripper. The song refers to a type of traditional folk magic from New Orleans that is used to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck, known as "gris-gris." The singer claims to be the last of the best, or the most skilled practitioner of the art, and has many clients who seek his services.
The song talks about the various remedies that Dr. John has to offer to his clients, from medicines that can cure all kinds of illnesses to love potions that can help control difficult women. The lyrics suggest that Dr. John's powers extend beyond the physical and into the spiritual realm, as he offers solutions to problems like trouble with neighbors and infidelity. The chorus repeats the phrase "gris-gris gumbo ya ya," which seems to represent the mystical power of Dr. John's remedies.
Overall, the song paints a vivid picture of the mystical world of New Orleans, with its colorful characters, folk magic, and unique cultural identity.
Line by Line Meaning
They call me, Dr. John, The Night Tripper
I am known as Dr. John, The Night Tripper
Got my sizzling Gris-Gris in my hand
I am holding my magical Gris-Gris
Day trippin' up, back down by you
I travel back and forth around your area
I'm the last of the best
I am the greatest Gris-Gris practitioner
They call me the Gris-Gris man
I am the man who practices Gris-Gris
Got many clients
I have many customers
Come from miles around
They travel from far away to see me
Running down my prescription
They come to me for my remedy
I got my medicine, to cure all your ills
I have a cure for any ailment
I got remedies of every description
I have remedies of all kinds
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya)
I am singing about Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya
Hey Now
I am getting your attention
If you got love trouble, got a bad woman you can't control
If you have relationship problems and an uncontrollable woman
I got just the thing for you
I have a solution for you
Something called control in the hearts get together drops.
I have a potion called 'control in the heart' that brings couples closer
If you work to hard and you need a little rest
If you work too hard and need a break
Try my utilize rub put some on my drop fix and jam,
Use my rub to relax and feel better
Put some in your breakfast.
Put some in your breakfast for a boost
Sellin'
I am selling my products
Mm
An expression of satisfaction
So why war if your neighbors give you trouble
Why fight with your neighbors?
Put your fitness in the street
Take your fitness to the streets
Seal a Jew in my whole car in the street
Put a curse on someone in your car
Try my Dragon Blood
Use my Dragon Blood potion
My Drawen Hidin'
My Drawen Hidin' potion
My Secret Sand
My Secret Sand potion
Try a little black cat if your woman got another man
Use a black cat potion if your woman cheats on you
So easy does it as you put it in the palm of your hand
Apply with care to the palm of your hand
(Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya)
I am singing about Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya
Put on a woman's feet
Apply it to a woman's feet
Mumble
Muttering unintelligibly
No, no, no
Saying 'no' repeatedly
Gris Gris Gumbo Ya Ya
Singing about Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya
Hey Now..
Getting your attention
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MAC PKA DR JOHN REBBENACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SpeegBJ
Seeing Dr. John and his Gris Gris girls perform this live, so close I could touch them....was one of the nights to remember in 1969.
@omniexistus
They don't make music like that anymore.
@elcoyote9410
R.I.P. Night Tripper. You'll never know how much you contributed to the Bayou Dr. that I would eventually become. Thank you
@Ida-Adriana
What is a Bayou Dr? I think I need you
@adriaschumann9641
In 1969 I brought my RCA record player (yes record player) to my classroom. I was teaching CULTURAL DIFFUSION and played Dr. John's music. It blew their minds. I did it for years. He didn't know it, but he was my co-teacher on many occasions. The kids, through the years, loved his music and the lesson. I always wanted to meet him. It never happened. But, as fate would have it, one of my darling students, Ms. Cynthia, of that very class, sang with him on several occasions when she lived in New Orleans. A nice connection for me. Everything links together one way or another. I am so grateful for his talent - recorded talents - so that amazing talent will live on forever. Even my five-year-old granddaughter loves his work because her favorite Disney movie is THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG. He was and will always be a talent for all generations and ages. My students called me Mama-Schu. Mama Roux, please know that Mama Schu appreciates you and I know we all walk on gilded spikes. I'm sad.....<3
@normanmtv
Adria Schumann nicely done. Lovely tribute
@OURNOTEBOOKLOVE1144
Don't be sad my brother he's out there jamming somewhere in the astral, sending you, and us all the vybes same as it ever was, stay up and float down stream and I hope you are in peaceful water's wherever you are my friend ☮️♥️✨🙏
@markspe1
Rip Dr John,you passed today but your great music,like this album,will live on for many many to enjoy :/
@extracrazyguy
He passed today ?WTF .. youtube planned this mystery recommended pseudo ironically .
Bastards RIP Dr
@gulfrelay2249
The Dr.'s SOUL is LOOSED. Have a drink for him, I am. Later watching Serpent & Rainbow.