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.
Mood Indigo
Dr. John Lyrics
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You ain't never been blue,
Till you've had that mood indigo.
That feelin' goes stealin' down to my shoes
While I just sit here and sigh, "Go 'long blues".
I always get that mood indigo,
Since my baby said goodbye.
I'm so lonely I could cry.
'Cause there's nobody who cares about me,
I'm just a poor fool that's bluer than blue can be.
When I get that mood indigo,
I could lay me down and die.
You ain't never been blue; no, no, no,
You ain't never been blue,
Till you've had that mood indigo.
That feelin' goes stealin' down to my shoes
While I just sit here and sigh, "Go 'long blues".
The lyrics to Dr. John's song "Mood Indigo" express a deep feeling of sadness and loneliness. The song describes the feeling of being in a state of despair, so much so that it's like a heavy, indigo color affecting the entire body, stealing down to one's shoes. "You ain't never been blue, till you've had that mood indigo", the lyrics emphasize that this kind of sadness is beyond just feeling down or blue, it’s a deep, all-encompassing indigo that takes over one's entire being.
The lyrics continue, stating that the singer always gets that mood indigo since their baby said goodbye. The pain of heartbreak and loneliness is so intense that even the darkness of the night brings no solace. The singer feels like a poor fool, bluer than blue can be, with nobody who cares about them. The song ends on a sad note of hopelessness, with the singer feeling so low that they could die from the weight of their mood indigo.
Overall, "Mood Indigo" is a powerful song that portrays the pain and hopelessness associated with heartbreak and loneliness. Dr. John's raspy vocals add to the pain and hopelessness of the song, making it a true masterpiece of the blues genre.
Line by Line Meaning
You ain't never been blue; no, no, no,
You have never experienced sadness, and you cannot imagine the feeling.
You ain't never been blue,
You have never known what it is like to feel down and discouraged.
Till you've had that mood indigo.
Until you have felt the depths of despair that comes with the blues.
That feelin' goes stealin' down to my shoes
When I am low and feeling blue, it seems like the feeling is permeating every inch of my body.
While I just sit here and sigh, "Go 'long blues".
I try to shake the feeling of the blues, but it seems to linger on and on.
I always get that mood indigo,
I often find myself sinking into a deep sadness, a feeling that is indescribable.
Since my baby said goodbye.
Ever since my loved one left me, I cannot shake this feeling of sadness and loneliness.
And in the evenin' when the lights are low,
When the night is at its darkest, and I am alone, the feeling of sadness seems to get worse.
I'm so lonely I could cry.
I am overcome with such profound loneliness that I cannot help but shed tears.
'Cause there's nobody who cares about me,
I am alone, and it seems like nobody cares for me, leaving me to feel unimportant and insignificant.
I'm just a poor fool that's bluer than blue can be.
I am feeling sadder than anyone could ever comprehend. It is a deep, soul-crushing sadness.
When I get that mood indigo,
Whenever that feeling of sadness comes over me, that mood indigo.
I could lay me down and die.
The feeling is so intense and unbearable that I cannot imagine going on living with it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Barney Bigard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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