Dr. John (born Malcolm John Rebennack on 20 November 1941; died 6 June 2019… Read Full Bio ↴Dr. John (born Malcolm John Rebennack on 20 November 1941; died 6 June 2019) was an American singer, pianist, guitarist, and songwriter whose music combined blues, boogie woogie and rock and roll. The winner of six Grammy awards, Rebennack was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by singer John Legend on Monday, March 14, 2011. He was variously known as Mac Rebennack, Dr. John Creaux, Dr. John, the Night Tripper.

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.

I'm Just A Lucky So And So
Dr. John Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

As I walk down the street
Seems like everyone I meet
Gives me a friendly hello
I guess, I'm just a lucky so and so

The birds in every tree
All sing so merrily
They sing wherever I go

I guess, I'm just a lucky so and so

If you'd ask me the amount in my bank account
I'd have to confess, I'm slipping
That don't worry me, confidentially
I've got a dream that's pippin'

And when the day is through
Each night I hurry to
Home where love waits I know
I'm just a lucky so an so

If you'd ask me the amount in my bank account
I'd have to confess, I'm slipping
That don't worry me, confidentially
I've got a dream that's pippin'

And when the day is through
Each night I hurry to
Home where love waits I know
I'm just a lucky so an so

I'm just a lucky so an so

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I'm Just A Lucky So And So" by Dr. John celebrate the beauty of life and the simple pleasures that come with it. The song conveys the message that materialistic possessions or the amount of money in one's bank account are not essential to be happy as long as one has love and simple things that bring joy into their life. The opening lines of the song, "As I walk down the street/Seems like everyone I meet/Gives me a friendly hello," indicate that the singer is well-liked and respected by the people around him, and people acknowledge him with an affectionate greeting.

The bird motif is central to the song, and the lyrics portray the birds' chirping as melodious music that follows the singer wherever he goes. The singer mentions that he's grateful for the small things like the trees, the birds' songs, and the friendly hellos he receives, which collectively make him a "lucky so and so." Money is not the driving force in his life, and he's not bothered by his diminishing bank account because he's content with his life and has a dream that is "pippin'." The final part of the verses conveys that the singer's happy place is his home where love waits for him, and this makes him feel like a "lucky so and so."

In essence, the song is a testimony to the value of life's simple pleasures and illustrates that happiness can be derived from the things that don't come with a price tag. Dr. John's smooth and captivating voice adds soulful depth to the words of the song and brings out its message of contentment, satisfaction, and cherishing life.

Line by Line Meaning

As I walk down the street
As I wander aimlessly through the urban environment

Seems like everyone I meet
It appears that every person I encounter

Gives me a friendly hello
Offers a cordial and amicable greeting

I guess, I'm just a lucky so and so
Therefore, I suppose I am a fortunate individual

The birds in every tree
The avian creatures residing in the adjacent foliage

All sing so merrily
Utter vocalizations in a jocund manner

They sing wherever I go
Regardless of my whereabouts, they produce joyful melodies

I guess, I'm just a lucky so and so
Henceforth, I assume I am a prosperous person

If you'd ask me the amount in my bank account
Should you inquire concerning my current balance in the financial institution

I'd have to confess, I'm slipping
I would need to acknowledge that my finances are deteriorating

That don't worry me, confidentially
Nonetheless, it does not trouble me, in confidence