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.
The Monkey
Dr. John Lyrics
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Now, three monkey sittin' in a coconut tree
Discussin' things as they all say it to be
Said one to the other, now, listen you two
There's a certain rumor that can't be true
That man descended from our noble race
No monkey ever deserted his wife
Starve a baby [Incomprehensible]
Yeah, the monkey speaks his mind
Ain't you never know a mother monk
To leave her babes with others to bonk
Pass 'em on from one to another
'Til they scarcely knew who was their mother
Yeah, the monkey speaks his mind
And another thing you never see
I monkey build a fence around the coconut tree
And let another coconuts go to waste
Forbidden all the other monkeys to come and taste
What if I put up fence around this tree
Starvation would force you to steal from me
Yeah, the monkey speaks his mind
Here's another thing a monkey won't do
Go out at night and get on a [Incomprehensible]
Use a gun, a club or knife
To take another monkey's life
Yeah, man descended [Incomprehensible]
But brothers from us, he did not come
Yeah, the monkey speaks his mind
The lyrics of Dr. John's song The Monkey are an interesting commentary on human nature and society from the perspective of three monkeys. The song starts with the line "Yeah, the monkey speaks his mind," which serves as an indication of the song's major theme - that even though humans think of themselves as superior to animals, there are certain behavioral traits that they have in common with other creatures, and these traits are not always admirable.
The song presents a conversation between three monkeys perched on a coconut tree, discussing things that they find hard to believe about humans. The lyrics express the monkeys' incredulity at the idea that humans are descended from them and present arguments to disprove it. For one, no monkey ever deserted his wife or offspring, unlike some humans who abandon their families. Furthermore, they find it strange that humans have erected fences to keep others out and prevent them from sharing a resource. Finally, the monkeys wonder why humans resort to killing each other.
Dr. John's lyrics are an insightful critique of human behavior from the perspective of the animal kingdom. They challenge the idea of human superiority and underline the need for more compassion and empathy in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, the monkey speaks his mind
The monkey is not afraid to speak the truth and express its thoughts.
Now, three monkey sittin' in a coconut tree Discussin' things as they all say it to be
Three monkeys are having a discussion while agreeing with one another.
Said one to the other, now, listen you two There's a certain rumor that can't be true That man descended from our noble race The very idea is a big disgrace No monkey ever deserted his wife Starve a baby [Incomprehensible]
One monkey disputes the idea that humans evolved from monkeys and points out how monkeys are better than humans in terms of loyalty and protecting family.
Ain't you never know a mother monk To leave her babes with others to bonk Pass 'em on from one to another 'Til they scarcely knew who was their mother
Monkeys do not abandon their babies and pass them on from one caregiver to another.
And another thing you never see I monkey build a fence around the coconut tree And let another coconuts go to waste Forbidden all the other monkeys to come and taste What if I put up fence around this tree Starvation would force you to steal from me
Monkeys do not hoard resources and prevent others from accessing them. Doing so would cause starvation and lead to theft.
Here's another thing a monkey won't do Go out at night and get on a [Incomprehensible] Use a gun, a club or knife To take another monkey's life
Monkeys do not kill one another with weapons and are not violent.
Yeah, man descended [Incomprehensible] But brothers from us, he did not come
Man might have evolved from a common ancestor with monkeys but is not considered part of the same family as monkeys.
Contributed by Ethan J. 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