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 Hear You Knockin'
Dr. John Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴

Said the night wind to the little lamb
Do you see what I see?
Do you see what I see?

Way up in the sky, little lamb
Do you see what I see?
Do you see what I see?

A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear?
Do you hear what I hear?

Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear?
Do you hear what I hear

A song, a song high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king
Do you know what I know?
Do you know what I know?

In your palace warm, mighty king
Do you know what I know?
Do you know what I know?

A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring him silver and gold
Let us bring him silver and gold

Said the king to the people everywhere
Listen to what I say
Listen to what I say

Pray for peace, people, everywhere
Listen to what I say
Listen to what I say

The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light

Do you hear what I hear

Overall Meaning

These lyrics tell a story of a sequence of communication between different characters who are witnessing a significant event. The conversation begins with the night wind speaking to a little lamb, asking if it sees what the wind sees. The wind is referring to something in the sky, which is later revealed to be a star with a tail as big as a kite. This star is shining brightly and dancing in the night.

Then, the little lamb speaks to a shepherd boy, asking if he hears what the lamb hears. The lamb hears a ringing sound that is coming through the sky. This ringing sound is later identified as a song that is high above the trees and has a voice as big as the sea. The song is also related to the same star that the lamb saw, emphasizing its grandeur and significance.

Next, the shepherd boy addresses a mighty king, asking if the king knows what the boy knows. The boy knows about a child who is shivering in the cold. This child holds great importance, and the boy suggests bringing him silver and gold. The symbolism of silver and gold represents wealth and offering the best for this special child.

Finally, the king speaks to the people, urging them to listen to what he says and pray for peace. He emphasizes that the child, who is sleeping in the night, will bring goodness and light to the world. This child represents hope and salvation, and the king encourages everyone to be attentive to this message.

Overall, these lyrics depict a chain of communication between different characters, culminating in the revelation of a significant child who brings hope and peace to the world.

Lyrics © Kanjian Music
Written by: Noel Regney, Gloria Shayne

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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