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.
Mess Around
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The band was jumpin', the people too
Ah, mess around
They doin' the mess around
They doin' the mess around,
Everybody doin' the mess around
Ah, everybody was juiced, you can, bet your soul
They mess around
They doin' the mess around
They doin' the mess around,
Everybody doin' the mess around
Now, ah, when I say stop don't you move a peg
When I say go, just ah, shake your leg
And do the mess around
I declare, do the mess around
Yeah do the mess around,
Everybody's doin' the mess around
Now let me have it there boy
Now you got it boy
(Yeah, ah, mess around, go on mess around)
(Mess around, boy)
Now this band's goin' to play from, 9 to 1
Everybody here's gonna have some fun
Doin' the mess around
Ah, doin' the mess around
They doin' the mess around,
Everybody doin' the mess around
Now you see that girl, with that, diamond ring
She knows how to, shake that thing
Mess around
I declare, she can mess around
Ah, mess around,
Everybody do the mess around
The lyrics to Dr. John's song "Mess Around" are all about having a good time and letting loose on the dance floor. The song opens with a description of the scene: the pit, barbecue, and a band playing that gets everyone jumping. The chorus repeats the same phrase three times, emphasizing the importance of the titular "mess around" that everyone is doing. The second verse talks about how everyone is juiced and doing the boogie-woogie with a sturdy roll. The third verse features Dr. John giving some dance instructions, telling the dancers to stop and then go and shake their leg. The song ends with a promise of more fun to come as the band plays until 1am.
The lyrics to "Mess Around" are deceptively simple, but they convey a sense of joy and abandon that is infectious. It's clear that this is a song meant to get people moving and having a good time, and Dr. John's raspy, expressive voice adds to the sense of fun.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah, you can talk about the pit, barbecue
There's a lot of things people can do to have fun, like having a good old barbecue party.
The band was jumpin', the people too
The music was lively and upbeat, and everyone was having a good time.
Ah, mess around
Let's have some fun!
They doin' the mess around
Everyone is joining in on the fun and letting loose.
Everybody doin' the mess around
Literally everybody is dancing and having a good time.
Ah, everybody was juiced, you can, bet your soul
Everyone was feeling the excitement and energy in the air.
They did the boogie-woogie, with a sturdy roll (?)
They were dancing a lively style called the boogie-woogie, with lots of bouncing and shaking.
Now, ah, when I say stop don't you move a peg
When I tell you to stop, make sure you really stop and pay attention.
When I say go, just ah, shake your leg
When I give you the cue, start dancing and enjoying yourself.
And do the mess around
Let's keep having fun!
I declare, do the mess around
I'm telling you, you gotta join in on the fun.
Yeah do the mess around
Come on, let's keep the party going!
Everybody's doin' the mess around
It's not just one or two people having fun, literally everybody is enjoying themselves.
Now let me have it there boy
Let's get even more energetic and lively now boys!
Now you got it boy
You're doing great, keep it up!
(Yeah, ah, mess around, go on mess around)
Keep doing what you're doing, don't stop having fun and dancing.
(Mess around, boy)
Come on, keep it going and mess around some more!
Now this band's goin' to play from, 9 to 1
The band is going to be playing music from 9 PM to 1 AM.
Everybody here's gonna have some fun
Everyone who's here is going to have a great time at this event.
Doin' the mess around
Let's keep having fun with this lively and energetic music.
Ah, doin' the mess around
We're all doing the same dance and having a great time together.
They doin' the mess around
Everyone around us is caught up in the energy and vibe of the music, and is dancing along with us.
Everybody doin' the mess around
Again, literally everyone here is dancing and having fun together with this lively music.
Now you see that girl, with that, diamond ring
Check out that girl over there, with the fancy diamond ring.
She knows how to, shake that thing
She's got some moves and knows how to dance really well.
Mess around
Again, let's all join in on the fun and mess around together!
I declare, she can mess around
I'm telling you guys, that girl is really good at dancing and knows how to mess around and have fun.
Ah, mess around
One more time, let's all join in and have some fun dancing.
Everybody do the mess around
One final call to action to everyone around to keep dancing together and having fun!
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ahmet Ertegun
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
evifnoskcaj
Effortless technique and also a deep, resonant, and soulful sound! What a voice too! Dr. John was a pro!
john serino
This is absolutely amazing. How is music like this not somehow played to everyone? Amazing to listen to, amazing to watch, amazing to think all that sound is coming from one person. Wow.
Papa Rick
I used to think I could learn to play these tunes by watching Dr.John's videos, but he uses EVERY finger to play so many notes without moving his hands that it's hard to follow along! Amazingly gifted musician, for sure! I even purchased Happy Traum's "Dr. John Teaches New Orleans Piano 1 & 2" VHS cassettes several years ago. Those videos inspired me to forget about learning and just sit back, listen and enjoy his talent.
green Rémi
Yes .. A musician must be lazy, that is to say he must catch a maximum of note while moving as little as possible, this is what Dr John does to perfection. If you are interested there is a simpler version of Mess Arround played by Professor Longhair that you will find in Hal Lenoard editions, it is the fabulous Josh Paxton who transcribed it, it is a very nice version and more accessible from Mess Arround
Jacek R
You can slow these YouTube videos down if that helps
J P
@Jacek R I did that with Jerry Lee Lewis VHS tapes years ago: learnt each hand separately in slow motion and then pieced them together.
Anastasia Pattison
and that left thumb...good lord!
Papa Rick
@Anastasia Pattison Not to mention the "wingspan" between his left hand's little finger on the E flat and his left thumb on the F AND G together near the end! I believe he could palm a watermelon! 🙃
Tracie Holladay
RIP Dr John you absolute legend
lovermanowherecanube
RIP Dr. John rest easy and thanks for all the good music. Glad I got to see you live.