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.
Money
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you can keep them for the birds and bees
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want
You're lovin' gives me a thrill
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want
Money don't get everything it's true
What it don't get, I can't use
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want, wah
Money don't get everything it's true
What it don't get, I can't use
Now give me money
That's what I want
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want
Well now give me money
A lot of money
Wow, yeah, I wanna be free
Oh I want money
That's what I want
That's what I want, well
Now give me money
A lot of money
Wow, yeah, you need money
Now, give me money
That's what I want, yeah
That's what I want
The lyrics to Dr. John's "Money" express a desire for financial gain over the intangible pleasures in life that are often considered priceless. The first two lines of the song state that the best things in life are free, but the singer implies that they are of no use and can be left for the birds and bees. The main focus of the song is on the importance of money and its ability to provide freedom and security. The lyrics express the idea that love and affection do not pay the bills, and the only way to attain true freedom is by having access to a lot of money.
The repeated phrase "That's what I want" emphasizes the singer's insistent desire for money. The line "Money don't get everything it's true, what it don't get, I can't use" acknowledges that money isn't everything. However, it still remains essential in order to attain the things in life that the singer finds desirable.
Overall, the song highlights the materialistic nature of society and the value placed on money in modern culture. It depicts the struggle to achieve financial stability and independence and the desire to be free from the constraints of poverty.
Line by Line Meaning
The best things in life are free
Although there are many great things in life that are free, they are not valuable or helpful to me.
But you can keep them for the birds and bees
Those free things are not useful for me, but they can be useful for animals like birds and bees.
Now give me money
I need money to get the things I want and have a good life.
That's what I want
Money is the most important thing to me right now.
You're lovin' gives me a thrill
Although I enjoy being in love, it cannot help me pay my bills.
But you're lovin' don't pay my bills
Being in love is not useful because it does not help me earn money.
Money don't get everything it's true
There are some things that money can't buy, such as love or happiness.
What it don't get, I can't use
However, those things that money can't buy are not important or helpful to me. All I need is money.
Well now give me money
I keep repeating this because I really need money to lead a good life.
A lot of money
I need a large amount of money to be truly free and happy.
Wow, yeah, I wanna be free
Money can give me the freedom to do what I want in life and not worry about anything.
Oh I want money, That's what I want
Money is all I care about and it's the only thing that can fulfill my desires.
Wow, yeah, you need money
I am not alone in needing money to fulfill my desires as everyone desires to have a good life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Janie Bradford, Berry Gordy Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@catherinerobilliard7662
We need to do more to stop the grooming and abuse of children. Let them grow up; puberty is the only transition they need.
@andrewnelson3681
In a few years time, everyone will be asking how this madness was even allowed, let alone promoted. Thousands of young people are having their health and sanity destroyed by it.
@fodsaks
John Money is like a horror film mad scientist made real.
@SirPrancelot1
Horrifying. Thank you for bringing this to light.
@jdwalz
The saddest part of the story is that nobody learned from this tragedy. Many new doctors today embrace what Money did, and sadly, many new victims will perish at their own hands while those who took part in this insane experiment will get rich and famous.
@Will-thon
Horrific child abuse. What a scandal
@BarbaraJoanneBJ
THE book, and it is over 20 years old now, on this specific case is: “As Nature Made Him: the Boy who was Raised as a Girl” by John Colapinto. It is terrific.
@tallard666
It is indeed an appalling story
@thegeneralist7527
Excellent documentary. Barbaric human experimentation. My opinion is these children should have the full facts explained to them from the earliest age in he most age appropriate way. Instead of feeling different they will understand their unique and rare condition and how best to deal with it. Any treatment, behavioural, pharmaceutical or surgical, should be delayed until adulthood when they can make an informed decision for themselves with full professional consultation. Physician do no harm
@williamvorkosigan5151
Yes. Everyone keeps banging on about Female Genital Mutilation being an abomination. At the same time, most are completely at ease with male circumcision which is male genital mutilation.