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.
New Looks
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tone skirts and sexy ladies are tearing fashion from the page.
The girls are waving fancy feathers (feathers)
Above their hair of rainbow colors (colors)
The guys are looking cool in leather (leather)
What used to clash now goes together (together)
New looks piecing out the old out on
Moving for myself today so yesterday move over (yesterday move over)
New looks screaming down the street for your attention
If it don't get a second glance or make you feel good when you dance
Then it′s no, and it's old and the world could use new looks.
Laughter is part of what we're after (after)
As we steel looks at one another (another)
Fashion is roaring in the rafters (rafters)
Looking down it nose at hardened shafter (shafter)
New looks piecing out the old out on
Every corner (can′t you feel the mood)
Moving for myself today so yesterday move over (yesterday move over)
New looks screaming down the street for your attention
If it don′t get a second glance or make you feel good when you dance
Then it's no, and it′s old and the world could use new looks
The girls are waving fancy feathers (feathers)
Above their hair of rainbow colors (colors)
The guys are looking cool in leather (leather)
What used to clash now goes together (together)
New looks piecing out the old out on
Every corner (can't you feel the mood)
Moving for myself today so yesterday move over(yesterday move over)
New looks screaming down the street for your attention
If it don′t get a second glance or make you feel good when you dance
Then it's no, and it′s old and the world could use new looks
The lyrics to Dr. John's "New Looks" describe a societal shift in fashion and attitude. The first verse suggests that "mainstream" fashion has finally caught up with the more "outrageous" and daring looks that were once considered taboo. The second verse emphasizes the desire for individual expression and the importance of feeling good while dancing. The repetition of the chorus throughout the song drives home the message that the world needs new looks to keep things fresh and exciting.
The lyrics to "New Looks" are particularly relevant as the song was released in 1984, a time when fashion was undergoing significant changes. The previous decade saw the rise of punk, new wave, and other alternative styles that challenged the status quo. As these styles became more mainstream, Dr. John's song celebrated the creativity and individuality that were driving this shift in fashion.
The lyrics also reflect Dr. John's personal style, which mixed elements of funk, blues, and rock with his own unique flair. His use of colorful feathers and leather, as mentioned in the song, were signatures of his stage outfits, which were often elaborate and flamboyant.
Line by Line Meaning
Main stream has hit the racks. Outrage has finally come of age.
Popular culture has become obsolete, it's time for something new.
Tone skirts and sexy ladies are tearing fashion from the page.
The fashion industry is being revolutionized by bold new styles.
The girls are waving fancy feathers (feathers), Above their hair of rainbow colors (colors).
Women are expressing themselves with unique and flamboyant fashion choices.
The guys are looking cool in leather (leather), What used to clash now goes together (together).
Men are breaking fashion boundaries and mixing styles to create their own unique looks.
New looks piecing out the old out on Every corner (can′t you feel the mood), Moving for myself today so yesterday move over (yesterday move over).
A new wave of fashion is sweeping society, it's time for the old ways to step aside.
New looks screaming down the street for your attention, If it don't get a second glance or make you feel good when you dance Then it′s no, and it's old and the world could use new looks.
New and exciting fashion trends are demanding to be noticed, and anything that doesn't make you feel good is out of date.
Laughter is part of what we're after (after), As we steel looks at one another (another), Fashion is roaring in the rafters (rafters), Looking down it nose at hardened shafter (shafter).
Fashion should be fun and bring people together, not be a source of judgement or elitism.
Contributed by Sarah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@johnmckale4659
I can see Beverley D'Angelo mouthing the word "NO" to Audrey in the store. lol
@keonta81
National lampoon European Vacation brought me here
@jonathanbennaman6753
Most likely everyone is here because of National Lampoon's European Vacation this should be played during clothing montages 😂
@erin2778
The movie is literally the only place to find the song so
@carlysalas1002
Sameee so good wow
@traviss6564
Me too! Lol Shazam and Google music search couldn't find it, I had to turn on CC and Google the lyrics. 😂
@natural2112science
@@jonathanbennaman6753 Came here because of European Vacation and now looking for more of Dr. John.
@LouisianaSnow
“Whoa you look cool!”
“I feeeeeel cool!”
@AMERASIAN12
LOL.😆
@JCurl1978
WHOA MOM!!!!