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.
Mean Cheatin' Woman
Dr. John Lyrics
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Yeah, my gal, she left me and we didn't even fight
She wouldn't call, she almost didn't write
Well, I knew in my bones I'd be lonely at night
She's a mean, mean woman
She's a mean, mean woman
She's a mean, mean woman
I know some other gals that can treat me bad
She's still the best that I ever had
She treats me bad, Lord, she treats me so mean
She's a mighty, mighty, mighty fine loving machine
She's a mean, mean woman
She's a mean, mean woman
She's a mean, mean woman
But she knows how to rock me right
She looks so cold and eyes of blue
Takes me right down in her deep dark stew
She treats me bad, Lord, she treats me so mean
She's a mighty, mighty, mighty fine loving machine
She's a mean, mean woman
She's a mean, mean woman
She's a mean, mean woman
But she knows how to rock me right
Of all the other gals that treat me bad
My baby's still the best that I ever had
With looks so cold and eyes of blue
She takes me down into her deep dark stew
She's a mean, mean woman
She's a mean, mean woman
She's a mean, mean woman
But she knows how to rock me right
She's a mean, mean woman
But she knows how to rock me right
She's a mean, mean woman
But she knows how to rock me right
The lyrics of Dr. John's song "Mean Cheatin' Woman" depict a tale of a tumultuous relationship with a woman who is both mean and unfaithful. The singer begins by recounting that their significant other abruptly left without any argument or communication. Despite the absence of any confrontation, the singer feels the loneliness profound in their bones. The woman in question is characterized as mean, but also possessing the ability to truly satisfy the singer's desires.
The song continues by acknowledging the existence of other women who may mistreat the singer, yet the mean cheatin' woman remains the best he has ever had. There is a paradoxical nature to her treatment, as she both treats him badly and knows how to please him, almost like a powerful and efficient loving machine. The lyrics paint a picture of a woman with cold, blue eyes, and her mysteriousness draws the singer into her dark and enticing world.
Despite acknowledging the hardships and unkindness, the singer remains infatuated with the mean woman, recognizing her ability to rock him in the right way. There is a sense of both frustration and attraction in the singer's relationship with this woman, ultimately capturing the complexity and emotional rollercoaster of a tumultuous romance.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'll tell you a story about the other night
Let me share an experience I had recently
Yeah, my gal, she left me and we didn't even fight
My girlfriend abruptly ended our relationship without any disagreement
She wouldn't call, she almost didn't write
She didn't communicate with me, hardly even sent a message
Well, I knew in my bones I'd be lonely at night
I had a gut feeling I'd feel lonely during the nights
She's a mean, mean woman
She has a cruel and unkind nature
But she knows how to rock me right
Yet, she knows how to satisfy me and make me feel good
I know some other gals that can treat me bad
I've encountered other women who mistreated me
She's still the best that I ever had
However, she remains the most exceptional partner I've experienced
She treats me bad, Lord, she treats me so mean
She treats me terribly, oh my, she's so cruel
She's a mighty, mighty, mighty fine loving machine
Regardless, she excels in expressing affection and passion
She looks so cold and eyes of blue
Her appearance seems distant and her eyes are blue
Takes me right down in her deep dark stew
She entices me into her mysterious and complicated situation
She treats me bad, Lord, she treats me so mean
She continues to mistreat me, my goodness, she's so heartless
She's a mighty, mighty, mighty fine loving machine
Yet, she remains an exceptionally skilled provider of affection
Of all the other gals that treat me bad
Among all the women who treat me poorly
My baby's still the best that I ever had
My beloved is still the most exceptional partner I've experienced
With looks so cold and eyes of blue
Despite her distant appearance and blue eyes
She takes me down into her deep dark stew
She draws me into her complex and mysterious situation
She's a mean, mean woman
She has a cruel and unkind nature
But she knows how to rock me right
Yet, she knows how to satisfy me and make me feel good
She's a mean, mean woman
She has a cruel and unkind nature
But she knows how to rock me right
Yet, she knows how to satisfy me and make me feel good
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: John Rueter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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