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.
Swanee River Boogie
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Far, far away.
That's where my heart is yearning ever,
Home where the old folks stay.
Way down upon the Swanee River,
Far, far away-hey.
Wo, that's where my heart is yearning ever,
All up and down the whole creation,
Sadly I roam.
I'm a still a-longin' for the old plantation,
Oh, for the old folks at home.
Ah-oh-oh!
Oh, my my!
Well, way down upon the Swanee River,
Far, far away-hey.
Wo, that's where my heart is yearning ever,
Home where the old folks stay.
All up and down the whole creation,
Sadly I roam.
I'm still a-longin' for the old plantation,
And for the old folks at home.
All the world is sad and dreary,
Ev'rywhere I roam.
Oh, darkies, how my heart grows weary,
Far from the old folks at home
Far from the old folks at home
Far from the old folks at home
Far from the old folks at home.
The lyrics of Dr. John's Song "Swanee River Boogie" evoke nostalgia and longing for home. The song refers to the Swanee River, which is a river that flows through Georgia and Florida in the United States. The singer talks about being far away from home and missing the old folks, the people from his community, and the plantation where he grew up. The lyrics express sadness, and the singer feels like he is lost and wandering aimlessly. The message of the song is related to the African American experience, where people were taken from their homes and forced to work in plantations far away from their families, causing them to feel disconnected from their roots and their culture.
The lyrics of "Swanee River Boogie" hold significant cultural relevance. The song is part of the tradition known as "Swanee River Songs," which are a collection of songs inspired by the river’s beauty and southern culture. The original song was written in 1851 by Stephen Foster, and it became an anthem of the Confederate South during the Civil War. Foster's lyrics were criticized for portraying the South as the place where slavery was acceptable. However, the song was also popular among African Americans who transformed the lyrics to make them more reflective of their experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Way down upon the Swanee River, Far, far away.
I am far away from my home on the Swanee River.
That's where my heart is yearning ever, Home where the old folks stay.
I miss my home on the Swanee River where my parents live.
All up and down the whole creation, Sadly I roam.
I have been wandering around feeling sad and hopeless.
I'm a still a-longin' for the old plantation, Oh, for the old folks at home.
I still yearn for my old home on the plantation and my old family.
Ah-oh-oh!
Expression of a deep feeling of sadness.
Oh, my my!
Expression of frustration.
All the world is sad and dreary, Ev'rywhere I roam.
The whole world feels hopeless and depressing to me while I am wandering.
Oh, darkies, how my heart grows weary, Far from the old folks at home Far from the old folks at home Far from the old folks at home.
I am so tired of being far away from my old family and the plantation that I repeat it several times.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEPHEN COLLINS FOSTER, DAVID BUTTOLPH, CHARLES MAXWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
specadmin
Absolute legend...one of the best who ever lived.
Leo Smith
Dr John is undoubtedly one of the coolest people who ever lived
Calhoun83
How is this even possible? Truly a legend.
good 'un
There are only 2 possible reasons for anyone having given this a dislike. One, because they're sad that doctor John is no longer living. Two, because they're jealous that they can't play piano anywhere near as well as he did.
moonbeamchaos
Mais yeah, cher. You know that’s right.
Scott Lynch
You’ve convinced me to dislike the video now!
Lennon & McCartney Fanatic
This is the best version of this out there Great Playing from Dr John as always.
Iahel Cathartes Aura
Dr John is one of the only artists whose speaking voice sounds exactly like his singing voice lol. Great great music forever!!
Eric Ranzoni
When it comes to boogie woogie piano there are faster, more flashy players but none of them can match Dr. John's unique touch, feel and bluesy licks.
Ilya Vishnyakov
Really, it is true.