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.
Stack‐A‐Lee
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can 'rest everybody but cruel Stack O' Lee
That bad man, oh, cruel Stack O' Lee
Billy de Lyon told Stack O' Lee, "Please don't take my life
I got two little babies, and a darlin' lovin' wife"
That bad man, oh, cruel Stack O' Lee
"What I care about you little babies, your darlin' lovin' wife?
You done stole my Stetson1 hat, I'm bound to take your life"
With the forty-four
When I spied Billy de Lyon, he was lyin' down on the floor
That bad man, oh cruel Stack O' Lee
"Gentleman's of the jury, what do you think of that?
Stack O' Lee killed Billy de Lyon about a five-dollar Stetson hat"
That bad man, oh, cruel Stack O' Lee
And all they gathered, hands way up high
At twelve o'clock they killed him, they's all glad to see him die
That bad man, oh, cruel Stack O' Lee
The song "Stack-A-Lee" by Dr. John tells the story of a notorious outlaw named Stack O' Lee who was so feared by the police that they could not arrest him. Stack O' Lee is portrayed as a cruel and ruthless man who had no regard for human life. When Billy de Lyon begs for his life and pleads with him not to leave his children without a father and his wife without a husband, Stack O' Lee callously responds that he is only interested in his stolen Stetson hat and that he is bound to take his life. He shoots Billy de Lyon dead with a forty-four and is eventually caught and sentenced to death. The people in the community are so fed up with his violent ways that they gather to witness his execution at midnight.
The lyrics of this song are based on an actual incident that took place in 1895 in St. Louis, Missouri. The real-life Stack O' Lee was a man named Lee Shelton who shot and killed Billy Lyons over a gambling dispute. Shelton was tried and convicted of murder and spent the rest of his life in prison. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years and has become a classic in the blues and folk traditions. The lyrics serve as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of greed and violence and the consequences that can result from it.
Line by Line Meaning
Police officer, how can it be?
The singer expresses shock that the police officer is unable to arrest anyone except for Stack O' Lee
You can 'rest everybody but cruel Stack O' Lee
The singer believes that Stack O' Lee is such a powerful and feared criminal that even the police have trouble catching him
That bad man, oh, cruel Stack O' Lee
The singer repeats that Stack O' Lee is a dangerous and cruel man
Billy de Lyon told Stack O' Lee, "Please don't take my life
Billy de Lyon pleads with Stack O' Lee to spare his life
I got two little babies, and a darlin' lovin' wife"
Billy de Lyon appeals to Stack O' Lee's sense of mercy by mentioning his young children and loving spouse
What I care about you little babies, your darlin' lovin' wife?
Stack O' Lee responds callously to Billy de Lyon's plea, indicating that he does not care about the welfare of his victim's family
You done stole my Stetson hat, I'm bound to take your life"
Stack O' Lee justifies his violent response by claiming that Billy de Lyon stole his hat
With the forty-four
Stack O' Lee used a .44 caliber handgun to kill Billy de Lyon
When I spied Billy de Lyon, he was lyin' down on the floor
Stack O' Lee found Billy de Lyon lying dead on the ground after shooting him
"Gentleman's of the jury, what do you think of that?
Stack O' Lee asks the jury for their opinion on his actions, indicating that he feels justified in killing Billy de Lyon
Stack O' Lee killed Billy de Lyon about a five-dollar Stetson hat"
Stack O' Lee murdered Billy de Lyon over a minor theft
And all they gathered, hands way up high
People came together in celebration of Stack O' Lee's death sentence
At twelve o'clock they killed him, they's all glad to see him die
Stack O' Lee was executed at noon and many people were happy to witness his death
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN S HURT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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