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.
Such A Night
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's such a night
Sweet confusion under the moonlight.
Such a night
Such a night
To steal away, the time is right.
At a glance
You let me know
This was my chance.
You came here with my best friend Jim
And here I am
Trying to steal you away from him..
Oh, but If I don't do it somebody else will
If I don't do it, you know somebody else will
And it's such a night
Such a night
Sweet confusion under the moonlight
It's such a night
Such a night
To steal away, the time is right.
I couldn't believe my ears
And my heart just skipped a beat
When you told me to take you walking down the street.
You came here with my best friend Jim
And here I am
Stealing you away from him.
Oh, it's such a night
Dr. John's "Such a Night" is a love song held within a contentious and nearly scandalous scenario of a man trying to steal away his best friend's date. The lyrics evoke a strong sense of longing, desire, and impulsive temptation. The singer's desire for the woman is so strong that he is willing to betray his friend to satisfy his own selfish needs. He is aware of the consequences- the pain and discomfort it would inflict on his friend yet, he is unable to resist the temptation of having her to himself. In the verses "Oh, but if I don't do it somebody else will / If I don't do it, you know somebody else will," portrays the character's fear of losing the chance to be with the woman he has fallen for. He feels he must seize this opportunity or live with the regret of letting someone else get her.
The lyrics continue to paint the picture of a beautiful night, which seems to go perfectly with the singer's plans. The sweet confusion under the moonlight reflects the confusion, which the singer feels as he struggles with his moral dilemma. The phrase "To steal away, the time is right" informs the listener that the singer is aware of his window to act upon his desires. The sensory imagery in the lyrics such as 'your eyes met mine at a glance,' and 'my heart just skipped a beat when you told me to take you walking down the street' portrays the strong connection and attraction felt between the two characters.
The song is a compelling reflection of the idea that love and desire can be stronger than the moral code of ethics that society teaches us to follow. It beautifully portrays the intense emotions of love and desire, and how it can lead one to make moral compromises.
Line by Line Meaning
Such a Night
It is an extraordinary night.
It's such a night
The night is very special.
Sweet confusion under the moonlight.
There is a delightful disorientation because of the moonlight.
Such a night, Such a night, To steal away, the time is right.
This is the perfect night to escape together.
Your eyes met mine, At a glance, You let me know, This was my chance.
I realized you were interested in me in a split second.
You came here with my best friend Jim, And here I am, Trying to steal you away from him.
I know it's not right, but I can't help but want you.
Oh, but If I don't do it somebody else will, If I don't do it, you know somebody else will
I can't let someone else be with you, so I have to take a chance.
And it's such a night, Such a night, Sweet confusion under the moonlight
It's a wonderful night to be swept away by each other.
I couldn't believe my ears, And my heart just skipped a beat, When you told me to take you walking down the street.
I was elated when you invited me to take a walk with you.
You came here with my best friend Jim, And here I am, Stealing you away from him.
I know it's not honorable, but I can't resist being with you.
Oh, it's such a night
This truly is an incredible evening.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MAC REBENNACK, MALCOLM J. REBENNACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eodnhoj8387
what happens
to the recording
at 4:57?...it jumps
for some reason...
like some
audio's missing...
really irritating...
i can't believe
that a company
as big as rhino
who probably
own the masters
wouldn't put out
a perfect copy
of this song onto
their youtube
site.
@georgemurphy3850
1968 very late at night. Very stoned on weed and reds starting to kick in. Allison Steele the Nightbird on WNEW fm in NY played this song. A 8 minute masterpiece. No imitators. Played this in RVN as an alternative Cloud Nine
@garymeyer4606
sounds like a perfect night.
@jazzisall1
Same experience but substitute Madison WisconSIN for NYC and speed for reds. LOL What a trip!!!
@richardseegman803
A great and incrediibly unusual song that began a career that saw Dr. John become the greatest pianist I ever heard - Blues, Boogie Woogie, Jazz, Rock, and that great New Orleans sound. They loved him in his home town of N.O. What a send off they gave him at his funeral. RIP Mac
@MrCharlie0923
R.I.P. a connissuer truly ahead of his time. Walk Easy..
@davidellis5141
RIP To The Doctor ! He Was In The Right Place With His Amazing 🎶. A unique talent.
@bernicelenger7280
Heard this for the first time a couple of months ago. Incredible, hypnotic, beautiful, genius !
@johmmycross9400
1968 had Dr.John Jimi Hendrix Santana you had to be there Magic in the air for real
@TimScottSuiGeneris
Rest easy Dr. John, you are truly walking on golden splinters.
@chaseferguson9419
the 13 people who disliked, gonna get that bad gris gris podnah. Better hurry up and know dat!