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.

Junko Partner
Dr. John Lyrics

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Down the road come-a Junko Partner
Boy, he was loaded as can be
Boy, he was knocked down, knocked down loaded
You know he wobbled all over the street.

Singing six months ain't no sentence
Thought that one year ain't no time
They got bars up on Ponderosa

So every night, tonight's the night

If I had, if I had, if I had, a million dollars
Just-a one million to call my own
I would buy me the land around Parish Prison
And I would throw me a big movie phone?
Alright

Down the road, down the road, down the road
Here he comes, Mr. Jones
Whoo boy, you're on your back so hard
Got to say lordy-ho
If a penny make a nickel, a nickel make a dime
A dime will make you half, a half will make a dollar
Make you ha-a-a-ller

Let me misbehave?
When I get a little frisky
Cus it's-a mite good rain
When you get a little dry

Give me tobacco-o-o
When I get a little sickly
But it gives me heaven
Before I die

Down the road, down the road, down the road
Come Junko Partner (Partner, Partner, Partner)
Boy he was loaded as can be

But he was knocked knocked knocked, he was knocked out loaded
Don't you know he wobbled, yes, all over the street

Overall Meaning

The song "Junko Partner" by Dr. John is a blues ballad about a man who's down on his luck and addicted to drugs. The opening lines introduce the titular character, 'Junko Partner', who is coming down the road, heavily intoxicated. The lyrics go on to paint a vivid picture of the man's physical state, as he wobbles and stumbles along the street. The singer himself is acquainted with the criminal justice system, and he makes a reference to Ponderosa, a prison where he has likely spent some time. The lyrics also feature a wish list of what the singer would do if he had a million dollars, which includes buying up land around Parish Prison and setting up a movie phone.

The song is full of idiosyncrasies and metaphors that portray the difficult and complex life of the singer. There are references to addiction, poverty and the harsh realities surrounding those who find themselves dealing with those issues. The singer also speaks about the transformative power that substances can have: tobacco when he is sickly, and rain when he is thirsty.

Junko PartnerDr. John Lyrics

Steve

on Holdin' Pattern

Perry

on I Been Hoodood (LP Version)

Junko Partner
Dr. John Lyrics