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.
Little Liza Jane
Dr. John Lyrics
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Little Liza Jane
Where do you live, nght down the lane
Little Liza Jane
* Oh Little Liza
Little Liza Jane
What's your number stoned cucumber
Little Liza Jane
Tell me who's your papa, find your stopper, on my
Little Liza Jane
* Repeat with ad lib
Hit that jack, didn't look at that
Little Liza Jane
Smoking them tracks, and looking back, my my
Little Liza Jane
* Repeat with ad lib
Big for your size, and young for your age now
Little Liza Jane
Free and single, and you're disengaged now
Little Liza Jane
* Repeat with ad lib
The song "Little Liza Jane" by Dr. John is a classic folk tune that has been reinterpreted through many different styles of music over the years. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is captivated by the beauty of a young girl named Liza Jane. He asks her name and where she lives, and then goes on to ask about her family and other personal information. The song has a playful and flirtatious tone, with the repeated chorus of "Oh Little Liza, Little Liza Jane" serving to emphasize the attraction between the two.
The lines "What's your number stoned cucumber" and "Tell me who's your papa, find your stopper, on my" are somewhat obscure and open to interpretation. Some suggest that they are simply nonsense words added for rhythm and rhyme, while others see them as more suggestive or even lewd. Regardless, the overall tone of the song is light-hearted and fun, with a focus on the youthful energy and free-spiritedness of Liza Jane.
Line by Line Meaning
What's your name, pretty little thing
Dr. John is asking Little Liza Jane her name, using the term "pretty little thing" as a term of endearment.
Little Liza Jane, where do you live, right down the lane
Dr. John is asking Little Liza Jane where she lives, using the term "right down the lane" to indicate that she lives nearby.
Oh Little Liza, Little Liza Jane
Dr. John is addressing Little Liza Jane affectionately, using her name.
What's your number stoned cucumber
Dr. John is asking Little Liza Jane for her phone number, using the term "stoned cucumber" as a playful insult or term of endearment.
Tell me who's your papa, find your stopper, on my
Dr. John is asking Little Liza Jane about her father, using the term "find your stopper" to indicate that he wants her to stop being coy and tell him the truth.
Little Liza Jane
Dr. John is addressing Little Liza Jane affectionately, using her name.
Hit that jack, didn't look at that
Dr. John is bragging about using drugs, using the term "hit that jack" to refer to smoking crack or injectable narcotics, and indicating that he does it without considering the consequences.
Smoking them tracks, and looking back, my my
Dr. John is reminiscing about his drug use, using the term "smoking them tracks" to refer to injecting drugs and "looking back" to refer to his reflection on his past actions.
Oh Little Liza, Little Liza Jane
Dr. John is addressing Little Liza Jane affectionately, using her name.
Big for your size, and young for your age now
Dr. John is commenting on Little Liza Jane's physical appearance, using the term "big for your size" to refer to her curves and "young for your age now" to refer to her youthful appearance.
Free and single, and you're disengaged now
Dr. John is observing that Little Liza Jane is single and unattached, using the term "disengaged" to refer to her lack of romantic involvement.
Oh Little Liza, Little Liza Jane
Dr. John is addressing Little Liza Jane affectionately, using her name.
Contributed by Joseph D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Steve
on Holdin' Pattern
Looking for the Lyrics "Holdin' Pattern" by Dr. John.
Perry
on I Been Hoodood (LP Version)
Not The Correct Lyrics Listed