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.
Right Place at the Wrong Time
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd have said the right thing but I must have used the wrong line
I been in the right trip but I must have used the wrong car
My head was in a bad place and I'm wondering what it's good for
I been in the right place but it must have been the wrong time
My head was in a bad place but I'm having such a good time
I been running trying to get hung up in my mind
Just need a little brain salad surgery
Got to cure my insecurity
I been in the wrong place but it must have been the right time
I been in the right place but it must have been the wrong song
I been in the right vein but it seems like the wrong arm
I been in the right world but it seems wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong
Slipping dodging sneaking creeping hiding out down the street
See me life shaking with every ho' I meet
Refried confusion is making itself clear
Wonder which way do I go to get on out of here
I been in the right place but it must have been the wrong time
I'd have said the right thing but I must have used the wrong line
I'd have took the right road but I must have took a wrong turn
Would've made the right move but I made it at the wrong time
I been on the right road but I must have used the wrong car
My head was in a good place and I wonder what it's bad for
"Right Place Wrong Time" by Dr. John is a song with lyrics that express the feeling of being out of sync with the world around you. The opening lines suggest that the singer has had opportunities to succeed, but through some mishap or miscommunication, has ended up in the wrong place or said the wrong thing. The repeated line "My head was in a bad place" suggests that the singer is struggling with their own thoughts and sense of self-worth, despite having moments of enjoyment and self-discovery.
The second verse reflects a desire for self-improvement, acknowledging a need for "brain salad surgery" to overcome insecurities. The following lines again bring up a sense of disorientation, with the singer feeling like they may have ended up in the "wrong world", searching for a way out. The final lines of the song reflect a certain resignation to the fact that things have not gone as planned, but also suggest a sense of complexity to the singer's emotional state, as their head is now in a "good place" despite the difficulties they face.
Line by Line Meaning
I been in the right place but it must have been the wrong time
I've been in situations where everything seemed perfect but turned out to be the complete opposite
I'd have said the right thing but I must have used the wrong line
I thought I was communicating effectively, but it seems like I totally missed the mark
I been in the right trip but I must have used the wrong car
I've been doing what I thought was right, but using the wrong tools to achieve my goals
My head was in a bad place and I'm wondering what it's good for
I was thinking negatively and questioning the purpose behind my own thoughts
My head was in a bad place but I'm having such a good time
Despite feeling mentally low, I am still enjoying my present experiences
I been running trying to get hung up in my mind
I have been overthinking and need to stop and clear my thoughts
Got to give myself a good talking-to this time
I need to have a serious conversation with myself to rectify my thoughts and actions
Just need a little brain salad surgery
I need to alter my own perspective and thought processes to move forward positively
Got to cure my insecurity
I feel uncertain about myself and need to change that for the better
I been in the wrong place but it must have been the right time
I ended up in unexpected and unsuitable situations, but still found something positive out of it
I been in the right place but it must have been the wrong song
I've been in situations where everything seemed perfect but it turned out to be the opposite due to unexpected external factors
I been in the right vein but it seems like the wrong arm
I was doing what I thought was right, but it resulted in something negative through unexpected external factors
I been in the right world but it seems wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong
I thought I was in the right place but everything seemed to go wrong
Slipping dodging sneaking creeping hiding out down the street
I am trying to avoid confrontations and hide from my problems
See me life shaking with every ho' I meet
I am nervous and unsure of myself around new people
Refried confusion is making itself clear
My confusion is becoming more prominent and needs to be addressed
Wonder which way do I go to get on out of here
I am lost and need to figure out what steps to take next to move forward
I'd have took the right road but I must have took a wrong turn
I thought I was making choices that would lead me to success, but they ended up being the complete opposite
Would've made the right move but I made it at the wrong time
I did something right, but it didn't work out due to timing
I been on the right road but I must have used the wrong car
I've been working towards my goals, but using the wrong approach to achieve them
My head was in a good place and I wonder what it's bad for
I was feeling positive and optimistic, but now I'm questioning if it was worth it
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MALCOLM REBENNACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rey hoffman
As a 12 year old boy that just got his own bedroom, this is one of the first few 45rpm records I purchased and played on my little record player. Good times. I'm only now just learning Dr. John has passed. Thank you for the joy you gave that little boy that grew up loving this song. With gratitude and respect, RIP.
Jeffrey Babino
Yes I just found out the other day sucks I was like you God bless brother
Russ Boyes
Same
Tomasz Rogowski
That must've been hella cool!!! Busting out with this 45
Romey Siamese
Yep, in the right place, right time.
Gentilly Girl
Him, Alan Toussaint and Deacon John.
Craig Lawrence
Rip Dr.John.As a black man I danced to this jam you made along with all my black women friends in mid 70s at house parties. We all loved this soulful jam .thanks for the memories .
Alan Wilson
Dude took Doc's hat after performance as he pimped thru the crowd. Doc went after the punk, got his brim back commenced his stroll back with the peeps. COOLEST WHITE DUDE EVER!
Donna Penkala
Music knows no color ,just a pure heart and soul. We need more good music to bring us together not divide us.
Tweedel Dee
I'm a boomer white guy from Detroit and I'll always boogie to this. The motor city/ motown was a great place to grow up.