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.

Moon River
Dr. John Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way

Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after the same rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend

My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me

(moon river, wider than a mile)
(I'm crossin' you in style some day)
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way

Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see

We're after that same rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend
My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Moon River" by Dr. John tell the story of two people who are embarking on a journey to see the world. The song is full of imagery, with "Moon River" being wider than a mile and the travelers going after the same rainbow's end. The song's refrain is about the dream maker and heart breaker, suggesting that the journey will not always be easy but that the two travelers are committed to each other and whatever lies ahead.

The line "I'm crossing you in style some day" suggests that the journey is not yet complete, but that there will be a day when the travelers will be able to cross the river in style. The mention of the rainbow's end suggests that the travelers are looking for something or someone specific, and the repetition of the refrain suggests that there may be obstacles and heartbreak along the way.

Line by Line Meaning

Moon river, wider than a mile
I am embarking on an incredible journey across this vast expanse of water called the moon river.

I'm crossing you in style some day
I am going to cross the moon river in a grand style one day.

Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
You, my dear dream maker, are a mix of both making dreams come true and breaking hearts in the process.

Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way
No matter where you are headed, I am willing to follow your lead.

Two drifters, off to see the world
We are two wandering souls who are out to explore and experience the world at large.

There's such a lot of world to see
The world is vast and full of possibilities, and we cannot wait to discover it all.

We're after the same rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend
Our pursuit is one and the same, to reach the end of the rainbow, which is just around the next corner.

My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me
Together, my friend and I will continue following our dreams and exploring the vastness of the moon river and beyond.

Lyrics © Tratore
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS