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.
Traveling Mood
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I lost my sweet one and only
Gonna find my baby I don't mean no maybe
Gonna find her
Gonna find my baby, gonna bring her home to me
She said that she would never leave me
Now she′s gone away and it grieves me
Gonna find her
I′m gonna find my baby, I′m gonna bring her home to me
Going down to Texas, going to Georgia
Oklahoma, Mississippi border
Going to Alabama, going to Louisiana, Tennessee
I'm gonna find my baby, I′m gonna bring her home to me
My bags are set for to travel
Gonna cover many miles of gravel
Gonna find my baby I don't mean no maybe
Gonna find her
I′m gonna find my baby, I'm gonna bring her home to me
The lyrics of Dr. John's "Traveling Mood" depict a protagonist who is feeling sad, lonely, and determined to find their lost love. The opening lines convey a sense of longing and the pain of losing someone special. The phrase "Feelin' kinda sad and lonely, I lost my sweet one and only" reveals the deep emotional impact that losing their partner has had on them.
The lyrics express the singer's unwavering commitment to finding their lost love. The repetition of the line "Gonna find my baby, I don't mean no maybe" emphasizes their determination and refusal to accept uncertainty in their quest to reunite with their partner. It showcases their resolve to do whatever it takes to bring their loved one back into their life.
The song suggests that the singer's partner unexpectedly left them, as indicated by the line "She said that she would never leave me, now she's gone away, and it grieves me." The mention of her "come a-midnight creepin'" implies that her departure occurred while the singer was asleep, intensifying their feelings of surprise and heartache. This further fuels their motivation to find her and restore their relationship.
The lyrics also describe the singer's journey to locate their lost love. They mention traveling to various states like Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee. This suggests a wide range of places they are willing to explore in their mission to find their partner. The act of physically traveling reflects their determination to cover great distances and overcome any obstacles standing in their way.
The song's final stanza discusses the singer's preparation for their journey. The line "My bags are set for to travel, gonna cover many miles of gravel" signifies their readiness to embark on their quest. It conveys a sense of adventure, as they anticipate enduring long distances and arduous paths during their travels. Once again, the lyrics reaffirm their determination to find their baby and bring her home, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to their relationship.
Overall, "Traveling Mood" tells the story of someone grappling with the loss of their beloved and their unyielding resolve to find and reunite with them. The lyrics capture the mixture of sadness, determination, and hope that accompanies such a journey, as the singer sets off on a physical and emotional quest to bring their loved one back into their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Feelin′ kinda sad and lonely
Experiencing feelings of sadness and loneliness
I lost my sweet one and only
I have lost the person who was my one and only love
Gonna find my baby I don't mean no maybe
I am determined to locate my beloved and there is no uncertainty about it
Gonna find her
I will locate her
Gonna find my baby, gonna bring her home to me
I will find my beloved and bring her back to be with me
She said that she would never leave me
She promised that she would never abandon me
Now she′s gone away and it grieves me
But now she has departed, and it brings me great sorrow
I was fast a-sleepin' when she come a-midnight creepin'
While I was fast asleep, she stealthily came in the middle of the night
Gonna find her
I will find her
I′m gonna find my baby, I′m gonna bring her home to me
I am determined to locate my beloved and bring her back to be with me
Going down to Texas, going to Georgia
I am intending to travel to Texas and then continue my journey to Georgia
Oklahoma, Mississippi border
I will cross the border between Oklahoma and Mississippi
Going to Alabama, going to Louisiana, Tennessee
Additionally, I will also be visiting Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee
I'm gonna find my baby, I′m gonna bring her home to me
I am determined to locate my beloved and bring her back to be with me
My bags are set for to travel
I have prepared my bags for the purpose of traveling
Gonna cover many miles of gravel
I will be traversing a significant distance, likely on rough, unpaved roads
Gonna find my baby I don't mean no maybe
I am absolutely confident that I will find my beloved
Gonna find her
I will find her
I′m gonna find my baby, I'm gonna bring her home to me
I am determined to locate my beloved and bring her back to be with me
Writer(s): James Waynes
Contributed by Lila P. 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