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.
Tipitina
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whoa la la la-ah tra la la
Tipitina, oola malla walla dalla
(little mama wants a dollar)
Tra ma tra la la
Hey Loberta, oh poor Loberta
Girl you hear me callin' you
Knows what you want to do
Say Loberta, oh poor Loberta
Girl, you tell me where you been
When you come home this mornin', honey
You had your belly full o' gin
I'll say hurry, hurry, come on Loberta
Girl, you have company waiting for you at home
Why don't you hurry little Loberta girl, hurry
Don't leave that boy alone
Tipitina tra la la la
Whoa la la la-ah tra la la la
Tipitina, hoola malla walla dalla
Tra ma ti na na
Come on baby, we're going ballin'
We're gonna have ourselves a good time
We gonna hoola tralla walla malla dalla
Drink some mellow wine
The lyrics of "Tipitina" by Dr. John are filled with references to New Orleans culture and history. "Tipitina" is the name of a legendary music club in New Orleans where many famous recordings were made. The song itself serves as a tribute to the city's musical legacy and highlights the importance of preserving this cultural heritage. The lyrics describe a scene of people partying and having a good time at Tipitina's, with references to drinking and dancing. The refrain of "Tipitina tra la la la" serves as a catchy and lively chorus for the song.
The second half of the song focuses on the character of Loberta, who is described as a woman who loves to party and drink. The line "you had your belly full of gin" paints a vivid picture of the kind of wild and uninhibited behavior that was common in New Orleans' music scene at the time. The song is essentially a celebration of this hedonistic lifestyle, and Dr. John's raspy singing voice adds to the gritty, bluesy feel of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Tipitina tra la la la
The song is beginning and Tipitina is the main character
Whoa la la la-ah tra la la
Tipitina's song is catchy and fun
Tipitina, oola malla walla dalla
Tipitina wants to have fun and is excited
(little mama wants a dollar)
Tipitina hopes to get a dollar for her performance
Tra ma tra la la
She keeps the upbeat rhythm going with nonsense syllables
Hey Loberta, oh poor Loberta
Tipitina is addressing a woman named Loberta
Girl you hear me callin' you
Tipitina is trying to get Loberta's attention
Well you're three times seven, baby
Loberta is 21 years old
Knows what you want to do
Tipitina thinks Loberta has a plan
Say Loberta, oh poor Loberta
Tipitina addresses Loberta again
Girl, you tell me where you been
Tipitina is curious about Loberta's whereabouts
When you come home this mornin', honey
Loberta recently came home
You had your belly full o' gin
Loberta had been drinking
I'll say hurry, hurry, come on Loberta
Tipitina wants Loberta to come with her somewhere
Girl, you have company waiting for you at home
Someone is expecting Loberta at home
Why don't you hurry little Loberta girl, hurry
Tipitina wants Loberta to come quickly
Don't leave that boy alone
Loberta should not leave a particular boy waiting for her
Come on baby, we're going ballin'
Tipitina is inviting someone to go have fun
We're gonna have ourselves a good time
They will enjoy themselves
We gonna hoola tralla walla malla dalla
They will dance, sing and have fun
Drink some mellow wine
They will drink some relaxing wine
Lyrics © Regard Music
Written by: COSIMO V. MATASSA, ROY BYRD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jim coyle
This music will live forever. Mac you made the world a much better place. Thanks....
Leslie Harris-Senac
I'll cherish the good memories through the tears today ... Love and hugs to you. It's a huge loss to NOLA and all music lovers, but the Prof & Dr. John's music will live on ~ RIP Malcolm John Rebennack
TahoeLegend
I NEVER get tired of hearing Dr John or Professor play this song.
Eric Ranzoni
both the Professor and the Dr. are music legends, with a similar but different approach to piano & vocals.How can anybody say this is "better" than that?? It's only a matter of taste. I love both madly!
IndependentGeorge76
you cant beat fess' version but this runs it pretty close - dr john is a living legend...
Alberto Silva Brito
Adoro essa música 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
Stanley Rooney
The Doc at his scintilating best! what a player, cant get enough of it!
Belle0308
I love this song and Dr John is so amazing to listen to.
moseseseseses
He is vintage , one of a kind. No one will ever fill his shoes. He has that cajun squall to his voice. You would have to of have lived in New Orleans and be frequent in the french quarter to understand the following: DR. JOHN IS NEW ORLEANS, JUST LIKE PETE FOUNTAIN IS NEW ORLEANS.
minxel16
James Booker, Dr John and Professor Longhair are the three New Orleans giants (James Booker even taught the night tripper) but I'd say they all have unique playing styles all very recognisable and very emotional- Go listen to the 'That's Life' cover by James Booker... simply amazing!