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.
Stakalee
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pimping man with a money making stable
Whenever he played cards or shot craps
He left his money at the table
He was a bad luck sucker they called him Stakalee
He stole his money-making hoes from a cat named Stakadollars
Put a straight razor to his throat
Living in a pile of blood, that killer Stakalee
Billy Lyons was a gambling man, hustled Stak into a late night game
Billy showed a straight, Stak threw a pair
Stak said you're pulling cards out of nowhere
He shot Billy Lyons, that cold blooded Stakalee
(?) called the police
But somebody ratted him out
Could′ve been some pissed off player or some two-bit hustler (?)
Somebody dropped a dime on that bad-ass Stakalee
The Police cornered Stak
They dropped him with their Forty Fours
Left a trail of blood behind him, off to central lockup they go
Busted while he was bleeding, they shackled Stakalee
Stak told (?) not to raise no money
Find somebody to post his bail
She said there ain't a trick that I
Wouldn't turn, to get my Stakalee out of Jail
She sold her heart and soul out for her lover Stakalee
Stak had a cell mate named Dupree
A cat Stak (?) in a bag
Dupree said Stak you better watch your back
Stak turned and he shanked his back
He should have known better than to mess with me, I′m Stakalee
When the judge heard what Stak had done
He killed a man cold dead in his cell
Looked up to heaven and said, the only place fit for you is Hell
There won′t be no reprieve for you, ya too dangerous, Stakalee
When they finally head to gallows
Stak held his head up high
Twelve o'clock, they hung him. Half past one he died.
Such a mean, mean sucker that gritty old Stakalee
I told you all my little story
I sang you all my little song
′Bout all these desperate characters
Now they're all dead and gone
The undertaker made a killing off that killer Stakalee
The song Stakalee tells the story of a ruthless pimp named Stakalee, who makes his living through gambling and prostitution. Stakalee is a bad-luck gambler, losing all his money at the table. He got his start in the business by stealing his hoes from another pimp named Stakadollars. The two had a falling out, and Stakalee slashed his throat with a razor, leaving him in a pool of blood. Later, Stakalee got into a gambling dispute with a man named Billy Lyons, which ended with him shooting Billy dead. Stakalee was eventually caught by the police, and sentenced to death by hanging. He was unrepentant until the end, holding his head up high as he faced the gallows.
Line by Line Meaning
Back in the game there was a scrimping
In the past, there was a money-loving man who scrimped on everything.
Pimping man with a money making stable
This man was a pimp who had several women prostitutes and was proficient in making money.
Whenever he played cards or shot craps
When he gambles with his money and tries his luck.
He left his money at the table
He loses all his money during the gambling game.
He was a bad luck sucker they called him Stakalee
People steered clear of him as he was repeatedly unlucky in the gambling game and failed to make it good.
He stole his money-making hoes from a cat named Stakadollars
He robbed the hoes belonging to a man called Stakadollars who was also a pimp.
Put a straight razor to his throat
He threatened Stakadollars with a sharp blade placed on his neck.
He wouldn't let him scream or holler
Stakadollars cannot make any noise or bark for help as he was threatened with a blade.
Living in a pile of blood, that killer Stakalee
After Stakalee was done, he left Stakadollar's house in disarray. Stakadollar ended up dead with his blood reaching great heights.
Billy Lyons was a gambling man, hustled Stak into a late night game
Billy Lyons is a gambler who convinced Stakalee to play a high-stakes game that night.
Billy showed a straight, Stak threw a pair
Billy showed his hand which was a winning combination but Stakalee was only holding a pair of cards.
Stak said you're pulling cards out of nowhere
Stakalee thought Billy Lyons cheated since he suddenly revealed that winning hand.
He shot Billy Lyons, that cold blooded Stakalee
Stakalee suddenly shot Billy Lyons without warning. There was no justification for his cruel act.
(?) called the police
Someone called the attention of the police.
But somebody ratted him out
Someone gave out Stakalee's location or whereabouts to the authority.
Could've been some pissed off player or some two-bit hustler (?)
It could either be a disgruntled player who's had enough of Stakalee's antics or a small-time crook who wants to see Stakalee behind bars.
Somebody dropped a dime on that bad-ass Stakalee
Someone tipped off the police about Stakalee's location.
The Police cornered Stak
The police managed to surround Stakalee.
They dropped him with their Forty Fours
They managed to take down Stakalee with their powerful guns.
Left a trail of blood behind him, off to central lockup they go
Stakalee left behind a trail of his blood as the police led him off to central lockup.
Busted while he was bleeding, they shackled Stakalee
The police arrested Stakalee while he was wounded, and they put him in handcuffs.
Stak told (?) not to raise no money
Stakalee told someone, probably his girlfriend, not to bother raising any money for his bail.
Find somebody to post his bail
Stakalee's girlfriend looked for someone who could bail him out of jail.
She said there ain't a trick that I wouldn't turn, to get my Stakalee out of Jail
Stakalee's girlfriend was willing to do whatever it takes to get him out of jail.
She sold her heart and soul out for her lover Stakalee
Stakalee's girlfriend gave up everything - her heart and soul - to get him out of jail.
Stak had a cell mate named Dupree
Stakalee was put in a cell with a man named Dupree.
A cat Stak (?) in a bag
Dupree probably thought that Stakalee is someone he could manipulate and control.
Dupree said Stak you better watch your back
Dupree threatened Stakalee to be careful.
Stak turned and he shanked his back
Stakalee angrily counterattacked and stabbed Dupree in the back with an improvised weapon.
He should have known better than to mess with me, I'm Stakalee
Dupree should've been more careful when confronting Stakalee since he is unpredictable and dangerous.
When the judge heard what Stak had done
When the judge found out what Stakalee did to Dupree.
He killed a man cold dead in his cell
Stakalee killed Dupree while they were on the same cell.
Looked up to heaven and said, the only place fit for you is Hell
The judge felt that Stakalee deserved to be punished severely for his murderous acts.
There won't be no reprieve for you, ya too dangerous, Stakalee
The punishment for Stakalee is too severe since he is too dangerous to be left free.
When they finally head to gallows
When they finally arrived at the gallows where Stakalee will be executed.
Stak held his head up high
Stakalee remained to be unapologetic and did not feel any remorse for his actions.
Twelve o'clock, they hung him. Half past one he died.
Stakalee was executed precisely at twelve noon, and he died thirty minutes later (half-past one).
Such a mean, mean sucker that gritty old Stakalee
Stakalee was such a cold-blooded and cruel person who doesn't deserve sympathy.
I told you all my little story
This song retells the story of Stakalee and his criminal acts.
I sang you all my little song
This song is a narrative about Stakalee's life.
‚Bout all these desperate characters
This song is also about the people who gravitated towards Stakalee - they were all desperate characters.
Now they're all dead and gone
Everybody in Stakalee's criminal world has died - they were not able to run nor escape from the consequences of their deeds.
The undertaker made a killing off that killer Stakalee
The undertaker made a lot of money from handling the burial of Stakalee's numerous victims.
Writer(s): Malcolm (t) Rebennack, Martin Kaelin
Contributed by Logan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Steve
on Holdin' Pattern
Looking for the Lyrics "Holdin' Pattern" by Dr. John.
Perry
on I Been Hoodood (LP Version)
Not The Correct Lyrics Listed