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.
There Must Be A Better World Somewhere
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I win some battles but I always lose the war
I keep right on stumblin' in this no man's land out there
But I know, yes, I know that there must be a better world somewhere
Flying high, some joker clips my wings
Just 'cause he gets his kicks and he's doing those kind of things
Keep on fallin' into space, either hangin' in mid-air
Every woman I want only wants herself
Everybody I love, loves somebody else
Yeah, every woman got a license to break my heart
And every love affair is over, before it gets a chance to start
If it ain't here, maybe in the year after
Instead of tears, I'll learn all about laughter
Meanwhile, I'm stuck out here, Lord knows it just ain't fair
But I know, yes, I know that there must be a better world somewhere
Every woman I want only wants herself
Everybody I love, loves somebody else
Every woman I know got a license to break my heart
And every love affair is over before it gets a chance to start
If it ain't here, maybe in the year after
Instead of tears, I'll learn all about laughter
Meanwhile, I'm stuck out here, Lord knows it just ain't fair
But I know, yes, I know, hey, I know
That there must be a better world, there sure gotta be a better world
Lord, now there must be a better world somewhere
Dr. John's song "There Must Be A Better World Somewhere" is a song about the struggles of life and the longing for a better world. The lyrics declare the frustration of fighting battles but always losing the war. The singer is constantly falling into spaces or stumbling in no man's land, but holds on to hope that a better world exists somewhere. Dr. John points out the never-ending issue of loving someone who loves someone else, causing heartbreak. The singer is determined to find a better world, whether it's in this life or the afterlife.
The song can be seen as a reflection of the human struggle to search for meaning and purpose in life. The singer is disillusioned with his experiences in the world, but still holds on to hope that there is something better out there. Dr. John highlights the theme that in the midst of struggles, it's important to hold on to hope for a better future.
One of the powerful messages in this song is the reminder to never give up hope in a better tomorrow. The search for a better world is what keeps us going, even in the darkest of moments. The lyrics also speak to the fact that we are not alone in our struggles; everyone experiences heartbreak and disappointment at some point. Dr. John encourages listeners to keep pushing forward and not to lose sight of the hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes, I wonder just what I am fighting for
Occasionally, I question the reason for my struggles
I win some battles but I always lose the war
While I may triumph in certain conflicts, ultimately I am defeated
I keep right on stumblin' in this no man's land out there
I continue to move forward uncertainly in this desolate, unclaimed territory
But I know, yes, I know that there must be a better world somewhere
Despite my struggles, I maintain the conviction that there must be a more favorable existence
Flying high, some joker clips my wings
In moments of triumph, someone or something intervenes to hinder my success
Just 'cause he gets his kicks and he's doing those kind of things
The individual responsible for my setback derives pleasure from causing harm
Keep on fallin' into space, either hangin' in mid-air
I repeatedly suffer failure and uncertainty, feeling unsupported and vulnerable
But I know, yes, I know that there must be a better world somewhere
Despite this hardship, I maintain faith in the existence of a better future
Every woman I want only wants herself
The women I desire are primarily interested in their own fulfillment
Everybody I love, loves somebody else
Those I care for are romantically involved with someone other than me
Yeah, every woman got a license to break my heart
I feel as though women are authorized to cause me emotional pain
And every love affair is over, before it gets a chance to start
My romantic relationships never have a chance to truly begin before they end
If it ain't here, maybe in the year after
If I can't find what I'm looking for in this life, perhaps I will in the next
Instead of tears, I'll learn all about laughter
Rather than mourning the past, I will focus on finding joy in the future
Meanwhile, I'm stuck out here, Lord knows it just ain't fair
In the present, I feel trapped and frustrated, believing that life is unjust
But I know, yes, I know that there must be a better world somewhere
Despite feeling downtrodden, I refuse to give up hope for a brighter future
Every woman I want only wants herself
The women I desire are primarily interested in their own fulfillment
Everybody I love, loves somebody else
Those I care for are romantically involved with someone other than me
Every woman I know got a license to break my heart
I feel as though women are authorized to cause me emotional pain
And every love affair is over before it gets a chance to start
My romantic relationships never have a chance to truly begin before they end
If it ain't here, maybe in the year after
If I can't find what I'm looking for in this life, perhaps I will in the next
Instead of tears, I'll learn all about laughter
Rather than mourning the past, I will focus on finding joy in the future
Meanwhile, I'm stuck out here, Lord knows it just ain't fair
In the present, I feel trapped and frustrated, believing that life is unjust
But I know, yes, I know, hey, I know
Despite all my hardships, my faith in a better future remains strong
That there must be a better world, there sure gotta be a better world
I am certain that a brighter, more fulfilling world exists beyond my current struggles
Lord, now there must be a better world somewhere
I implore a higher power to help me find the better existence that I believe must exist
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TIMOTHY J JOHNSON, SHANE MINOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Littlewing4201
"Sometimes, I wonder just what I am fighting for
I win some battles but I always lose the war
I keep right on stumblin' in this no man's land out there
But I know, yes, I know that there must be a better world somewhere
Flying high, some joker clips my wings
Just 'cause he gets his kicks and he's doing those kind of things
Keep on fallin' into space, either hangin' in mid-air
But I know, yes, I know that there must be a better world somewhere
Every woman I want only wants herself
Everybody I love, loves somebody else
Yeah, every woman got a license to break my heart
And every love affair is over, before it gets a chance to start
If it ain't here, maybe in the year after
Instead of tears, I'll learn all about laughter
Meanwhile, I'm stuck out here, Lord knows it just ain't fair
But I know, yes, I know that there must be a better world somewhere
Every woman I want only wants herself
Everybody I love, loves somebody else
Every woman I know got a license to break my heart
And every love affair is over before it gets a chance to start
If it ain't here, maybe in the year after
Instead of tears, I'll learn all about laughter
Meanwhile, I'm stuck out here, Lord knows it just ain't fair
But I know, yes, I know, hey, I know
That there must be a better world, there sure gotta be a better world
Lord, now there must be a better world somewhere
Songwriters: Timothy J Johnson / Shane Minor
Edgar Faustino
Sometimes I wonder
Just what am I fighting for?
I win some battles
But I always lose the war
I keep right on stumblin'
In this no-man's land out here
But I know
Mmmmm yes, I know
There must be a better world somewhere
Flying high
Some joker clips my wings
Just because he gets a kick
Out of doing those kind of things
I keep on fallin' in space
Or just hangin' in mid-air
But I know
Ohh yes, I know
There has just got to be a better world somewhere
Every woman I want
Only wants herself
Everybody I love
Seems to love somebody else
And every woman
Got a license to break my heart
And every love affair is over
Over before it gets a chance to start
If it ain't dead
Maybe in the here after
Instead of tears
I'll learn all about laughter
But meanwhile I'm stuck out here
It just ain't fair,
But I know
I said I know
Oh yes, I know
There must be a better world somewhere
There's just gotta be
Gotta be a better world somewhere
greasemonkey1228
Let's give credit to the genius who wrote the lyrics to this great song: Doc Pomus, the man Doctor John credits with getting him off dope. What a collaboration those two had!
Paula Strachan
@ConservativeAnthem yes; he lived a LONG time after that book was written. He also hated the book and didn't even own copy. He wrote it because he needed the advance to meet payroll at a low point. I've read most every interview available online, and have visited online with those associated with him. His long time photographer, his widow, his daughters, fellow musicians, etc. His getting clean and staying clean in mentioned in many interviews that have been preserved. That accomplishment should be part of what he is remembered for. He got clean permanently in 1989. He died in 2019. He was an addict for a long time. He was NOT a lifelong addict.
ConservativeAnthem
@Paula Strachan Did you read his autobiography?
Paula Strachan
@ConservativeAnthem he had been completely off drugs and alcohol for roughly 30 years at the time of his death, and loved being clean. He still dropped in at an AA or NA meeting when he had time, to encourage others.
Kay Alexander
How did being a junkie affect Mac's career? Minimally. He never--ever!--missed a gig because he was high or jonesing. I never even heard of him being late for a show over dope.
Takayuki Ishiguro
greasemonkey1228 I'm glad that you mentioned the name of the lyricist. I heard even Dylan asked for some advice from Doc Pomus.
Steven Bogle
Not only does Dr. John make me feel good he makes me feel at all. Raise your hand if you feel like this song was made for you.
Jenn Deo
Rest In Peace, Dr John. You will be greatly missed by everyone here in New Orleans!
DIfreighter watcher
Loved SOMEWHERE 💕💕
Antoinette Owens
New Orleans and beyond.