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.
Mardi Gras Day
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And hear the brass band play
Gonna second line
On Mardi Gras Day
Gonna see those costumes
In the Vieux Carré
On Mardi Gras Day
And then we go somewhere
And get some red beans and rice
A drag of beer would be nice
Some hot crawfish would suffice
We’ll join the Big Chief
In singing “Ooh Nah Nay”
Until there’s no more sun on Mardi Gras Day
Gonna go to Claiborne
And Orleans Avenue
Gonna get that coconut
From the King Zulu
Gonna catch some doubloons
Maybe gold beads too
Gonna get some new friends
That’s gonna look like you
And then we go somewhere
And get some red beans and rice
A drag of beer would be nice
Some hot crawfish would suffice
We’ll join the Big Chief
In singing “Ooh Nah Nay”
Until there’s no more sun on Mardi Gras Day
And then we go somewhere
And get some red beans and rice
A drag of beer would be nice
Some hot crawfish would suffice
We’ll join the Big Chief
In singing “Ooh Nah Nay”
Until there’s no more sun on Mardi Gras Day
Dr. John's song "Mardi Gras Day" is a celebration of the vibrant and colorful traditions of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The lyrics describe the various activities and sights that one can experience on this special day. The opening lines of the song capture the excitement of the parades and the music that fills the streets. The use of the phrase "second line" references the traditional New Orleans funeral parade, where mourners would follow the brass band's second line.
The next stanza describes the colorful and elaborate costumes that are on display in the historic French Quarter district. The song then shifts to the theme of food and drink, as the singer and their friends seek out local delicacies like red beans and rice, beer, and crawfish. The song finishes with a lyrical nod to the unique New Orleans tradition of Big Chief culture, where a chief dressed in elaborate Native American-style regalia leads a parade of revelers.
Overall, "Mardi Gras Day" is a joyous tribute to the unique cultural heritage of New Orleans, and the traditions that make Mardi Gras such a beloved holiday in this region of the United States.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna see the parades
We're going to watch the parades of floats and dancers go by.
And hear the brass band play
We'll enjoy the lively and upbeat music played by the brass band during the parade.
Gonna second line
We're going to join in the street dancing and marching alongside the band.
On Mardi Gras Day
This all takes place on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the day of the Mardi Gras celebration.
Gonna see those costumes
We'll admire the elaborate and colorful costumes worn by parade participants and revelers.
In the Vieux Carré
Specifically, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, where many Mardi Gras festivities are held.
When we go downtown
As we make our way from the French Quarter to other parts of the city where festivities are taking place.
And then we go somewhere
After enjoying the daytime parades and festivities, we'll move on to other locations as the evening goes on.
And get some red beans and rice
We'll stop for a Louisiana-style meal of red beans and rice, a classic Mardi Gras dish.
A drag of beer would be nice
Some cold beer would be a refreshing and enjoyable addition to the meal.
Some hot crawfish would suffice
We'll also enjoy some spicy and flavorful crawfish, another Mardi Gras favorite.
We’ll join the Big Chief
We'll participate in the traditional Mardi Gras Indian culture led by the Big Chief, or the leader of the tribe.
In singing “Ooh Nah Nay”
We'll sing and chant along with the Big Chief and other members of the tribe.
Until there’s no more sun on Mardi Gras Day
We'll continue enjoying the festivities and carrying on until nighttime, when the sun sets and the celebration comes to a close.
Gonna go to Claiborne
We'll head towards Claiborne Avenue, another area known for its Mardi Gras festivities.
And Orleans Avenue
We'll also make our way towards Orleans Avenue, a major road in New Orleans.
Gonna get that coconut
We'll try to catch a coconut, a highly prized and treasured throw from the Zulu Parade.
From the King Zulu
The coconut is thrown by a member of the Zulu social aid and pleasure club, whose members dress in highly decorated costumes.
Gonna catch some doubloons
We'll also try to catch some doubloons, or colorful metal coins thrown from floats during the parades.
Maybe gold beads too
We'll hope to catch some shiny and coveted beads of various colors and shapes.
Gonna get some new friends
We'll likely meet new people and make friends with other revelers enjoying the Mardi Gras festivities.
That’s gonna look like you
Some of these new friends might even dress in similar costumes or share common interests and other similarities with us.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Michael G. White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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