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.
Jump Sturdy
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Jump sturdy)
Jump sturdy jump sturdy was her name
She came out the swamps like a crazy fool
Jump sturdy jump sturdy was her name
(Jump sturdy)
She came out the swamps like a crazy fool
People say she used to dance with the fish
Some people say she juggled fire in a dish
Clear day on the bayou of St. John
She raised her hands and caused a 'lectrical storm
She was a treacherous lady
She never met much harm
One day she ducked past the station house
She turned on the fire alarm
Somehow she got tangled up with Queen Julia Jackson
Down on Melba, meeting near rattle street
Queen Julia Jackson dropped a Zozola brick
And jump sturdy died with her soul in defeat
Jump sturdy, jump sturdy was her name
She came out the swamps like a crazy fool
Jump sturdy, jump sturdy was her name
She came out the swamps like a crazy fool
Jump sturdy, jump sturdy was her name
(Jump sturdy)
She came out the swamps like a crazy fool
(She came, she came)
Jump sturdy, jump sturdy was her name
The lyrics to Dr. John's song Jump Sturdy are about a woman named Jump Sturdy, who is described as coming out of the swamps like a crazy fool. The song suggests that she was a mythical figure, known for dancing with fish and juggling fire. The lyrics also mention that she caused an electrical storm in St. John's Bayou by raising her hands. Despite her dangerous reputation, the song suggests that she never met much harm.
Jump Sturdy is described as a treacherous lady who managed to avoid getting into trouble, although the song notes that she once turned on a fire alarm. However, her luck eventually ran out when she became tangled up with Queen Julia Jackson. The two women met near Rattle Street, and Queen Julia threw a Zozola brick, leading to Jump Sturdy's defeat and death.
There is a strong sense of mythology and folklore in the lyrics to Jump Sturdy, with the song painting a vivid picture of a mysterious and powerful woman. The song also suggests that her name became synonymous with her wild and unpredictable behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
She came out the swamps like a crazy fool
A woman emerged from the swamps in a manner that was foolish and irrational.
Jump sturdy jump sturdy was her name
Despite her erratic behavior, she was known by the name Jump Sturdy.
People say she used to dance with the fish
Rumors suggest that she was so connected with nature that she danced alongside fish.
Some people say she juggled fire in a dish
Others claim that she was skilled enough to juggle fire without getting burned, like handling it in a dish.
Clear day on the bayou of St. John
On a sunny day in St. John's bayou,
She raised her hands and caused a 'lectrical storm
Jump Sturdy's actions led to an electrical storm, demonstrating her power.
She was a treacherous lady
Jump Sturdy was a deceitful and dangerous woman.
She never met much harm
Despite her dangerous demeanor, she herself was never harmed.
One day she ducked past the station house
Jump Sturdy avoided a confrontation with the authorities by eluding a police station.
She turned on the fire alarm
She caused a commotion by activating a fire alarm.
Somehow she got tangled up with Queen Julia Jackson
Jump Sturdy became involved with Queen Julia Jackson in some way, for reasons unknown.
Down on Melba, meeting near rattle street
They met near Rattle Street in the area of Melba.
Queen Julia Jackson dropped a Zozola brick
Queen Julia Jackson caused a serious problem by dropping a brick from the Zozola family.
And jump sturdy died with her soul in defeat
Jump Sturdy died sad and defeated, likely as a result of Queen Julia Jackson's actions.
Jump sturdy, jump sturdy was her name
Despite her tragic end, she will always be known by the name Jump Sturdy.
She came out the swamps like a crazy fool
A woman emerged from the swamps in a manner that was foolish and irrational.
Jump sturdy, jump sturdy was her name
Despite her erratic behavior, she was known by the name Jump Sturdy.
She came out the swamps like a crazy fool
A woman emerged from the swamps in a manner that was foolish and irrational.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN CREAUX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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