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.
Honey Dripper
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She was a red-hot hoochie coocher
She was the roughest toughest frail
But Minnie had a heart as big as a whale
She messed around with a bloke named Smokie
She loved him though he was cokey
He took her down to Chinatown
She had a dream about the king of Sweden
He gave her things that she was needin'
He gave her a home built of gold and steel
A diamond car with p-platinum wheels
He gave her his townhouse and his racin' horses
Each meal she ate was a dozen courses
She had a million dollars worth of nickels and dimes
She sat around and counted them all a million times
Poor Min, poor Min, poor Minnie
The song Honey Dripper by Dr. John tells the story of a woman named Minnie, who is known for being a red-hot hoochie coocher. Despite her tough exterior, Minnie is shown to have a heart as big as a whale. She falls in love with a man named Smokie, who has a drug problem, but she loves him nonetheless. He takes her down to Chinatown and shows her how to "kick the gong around," which is a metaphor for smoking opium.
Minnie has a dream about the king of Sweden, in which he gives her everything she needs. He gives her a home made of gold and steel, a diamond car with platinum wheels, a townhouse, racing horses, and a million dollars worth of nickels and dimes. She is content to sit around and count them all a million times. The song ends with the refrain "Poor Min, poor Min, poor Minnie," suggesting that despite all of her material possessions, Minnie is still lacking something.
The lyrics to Honey Dripper can be interpreted as a commentary on the dangers of drug addiction and materialism. They also paint a picture of a woman who is tough on the outside, but has a vulnerable side. The song was originally written by the jazz musician Joe Liggins in 1945, and has been covered by many other artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Folks here's the story 'bout Minnie the Moocher
Allow me to tell you about Minnie the Moocher.
She was a red-hot hoochie coocher
Minnie was a very attractive woman who was promiscuous.
She was the roughest toughest frail
Despite her rough and tough exterior, Minnie was actually quite delicate.
But Minnie had a heart as big as a whale
Despite her flaws, Minnie had a very kind heart.
She messed around with a bloke named Smokie
Minnie was romantically involved with a man named Smokie.
She loved him though he was cokey
Despite Smokie's drug addiction, Minnie loved him unconditionally.
He took her down to Chinatown
Smokie introduced Minnie to the seedy side of town.
And he showed her how to kick the gong around
He taught her how to do drugs.
She had a dream about the king of Sweden
Minnie had a vivid dream about royalty.
He gave her things that she was needin'
In her dream, the king gave her everything she desired.
He gave her a home built of gold and steel
The king bestowed upon her a luxurious home made of materialistic goods.
A diamond car with p-platinum wheels
The king gifted her with an expensive car adorned with diamond and platinum features.
He gave her his townhouse and his racin' horses
The king gave Minnie his townhouse and his horses used for racing.
Each meal she ate was a dozen courses
The food she consumed consisted of twelve full courses.
She had a million dollars worth of nickels and dimes
Minnie had an exorbitant amount of money, consisting of both nickels and dimes.
She sat around and counted them all a million times
Minnie spent a significant amount of time counting her money repeatedly.
Poor Min, poor Min, poor Minnie
Despite her wealth, Minnie was pitied for her lifestyle and unhappiness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH C. LIGGINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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