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.

Me Minus You Equals Loneliness
Dr. John Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ever since she moved, took all the happiness
Ever since she left my life in a mess
Everything she left, her old address
Baby, can't you see you left my life in a mess
And baby I must confess

Baby, that me minus you
(Do what you want to me, do what you will)

Equals loneliness
(Do what you want to me, do what you will)
And me minus you
(Do what you want to me, do what you will)
Equals loneliness

All the people, the whole neighborhood
All used to tell me 'bout how you been so good
And all of the places, baby, that we used to go
That's the very same places I just don't wanna go, no more

Really drain me so and I
(Do what you want to me, do what you will)
Me minus you
Equals loneliness
(Do what you want to me, do what you will)
Me minus you
(Do what you want to me, do what you will)
Equals loneliness, equals loneliness

I need you to know
I need Y O U

I said me minus you
(Do what you want to me, do what you will)

Equals loneliness
(Do what you want to me, do what you will)

Overall Meaning

Dr. John's song Me Minus You Equals Loneliness is a melancholic blues tune that centers around heartbreak and emotional pain. From the opening lines, the singer discusses the impact of their lover leaving them and how it has caused all of their happiness to disappear. The reference to the lover’s old address as something they left behind emphasizes the void that they have created in the singer's life. The singer then goes on to confess that they are lonely without their partner and that everything reminds them of her. The repetitive chorus emphasizes the pain and isolation resultant from the separation.

The second verse highlights how the entire community admired the ex-partner and the places they used to visit together. But for the bereft speaker, these very same places burden them with feelings of emptiness and despair. The bridge of the song reveals a desperate plea for the ex-partner to come back, as the singer acknowledges their need for them.

In summary, Me Minus You Equals Loneliness is a song that reflects on the pain and isolation experienced after a lover has left. The singer's lamentations and confessions are palpable and poignant, and the music complements the mood appropriately.

Line by Line Meaning

Ever since she moved, took all the happiness
My happiness left when she moved away

Ever since she left my life in a mess
She left my life in shambles when she left

Everything she left, her old address
All she left is her old address

Baby, can't you see you left my life in a mess
I need her to understand that her leaving messed up my life

And baby I must confess
I have to admit

Baby, that me minus you
Without her

(Do what you want to me, do what you will)
Whatever you want to do, go ahead

Equals loneliness
Results in me being alone

All the people, the whole neighborhood
Everyone around us

All used to tell me 'bout how you been so good
They all used to compliment her on how great she was

And all of the places, baby, that we used to go
The places we used to visit together