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.
When The Saints Go Marching In
Dr. John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the saints go marching in
Mm I want to be, I'm gonna be in that number,
Ooo when the saints go marching in.
Oh when the sun yeah begins to shine.
When that old sun begins to shine,
I tell you something I'm gonna be I'm gonna be in that number,
Yeah when my lord calls me home again,
Ah when my lord calls me home again,
I'll tell you I'm gonna be in that number,
Oh when my lord calls me home again.
Oh when the saints go marching in,
When the saints go marching in
I tell you something I'm gonna be I'm gonna be in that number,
When the saints go marching in.
Well when the sun yeah begins to shine.
When that sun begins to shine,
I tell you something I'm gonna be I'm gonna be in that number,
When that old sun begins to shine.
Lazy one time.
Mm mm, yeh, alright, mm, yeah,
Ooo when the saints go marching in.
Yeah when the saints go marching in,
Yeah when the saints go marching in
I tell you something, I'm gonna be I'm gonna be in that number,
Yeah when the saints go marching in.
Yeah when my lord calls me home again,
Ah when my lord calls me home again,
I'll tell you I'm gonna be in that number,
Oh when the saints go marching in.
"When The Saints Go Marching In" is a gospel hymn that Dr. John performs with his own unique style. The song is all about a deep desire to be in heaven when the saints go marching in. The repetitive usage of "When the saints go marching in" throughout the song emphasizes the ultimate goal of the singer. The phrase is used not just to reinforce the theme but also as a basis for a call-and-response chant that creates a sense of unity among listeners.
The second verse refers to seeing the shining sun, which is a metaphor for the light of God. The mention of the sun and the use of the phrase 'begins to shine' symbolizes hope for a brighter future. The verse also assures the listener that the singer strives to be among the chosen ones when the sun begins to shine on judgement day.
The final verse confirms the desire to be in that celestial number when the lord calls him home again. It's a final affirmation that regardless of what happens, the singer wants to be among those chosen to enter the kingdom of heaven. Dr. John's signature laid-back and jazzy style blend in flawlessly with the song's traditional gospel roots. The performance calls for a celebration of life and acknowledges the ultimate fulfillment of religious beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Well a-when the saints go marching in,
When the righteous people of the world reach heaven,
When the saints go marching in
When they enter the gates of heaven
Mm I want to be, I'm gonna be in that number,
I aim to be part of that group of people who make it to heaven
Ooo when the saints go marching in.
When they enter the gates of heaven
Oh when the sun yeah begins to shine.
When the sun rises
When that old sun begins to shine,
When the sun starts shining for the day
I tell you something I'm gonna be I'm gonna be in that number,
I am determined to be among the saved people who enter heaven
When the sun begins to shine.
When the day breaks and the sun comes up
Yeah when my lord calls me home again,
When God calls me to return to heaven
Ah when my lord calls me home again,
When God calls me to return to heaven
I'll tell you I'm gonna be in that number,
I declare that I will be counted among the saved people who enter heaven
Oh when the saints go marching in.
When the saved people enter heaven
Lazy one time.
A moment of relaxation
Mm mm, yeh, alright, mm, yeah,
Sounds of agreement
Ooo when the saints go marching in.
When the saved people enter heaven
Yeah when the saints go marching in,
When the saved people enter heaven
Yeah when the saints go marching in
When the saved people enter heaven
I tell you something, I'm gonna be I'm gonna be in that number,
I am confident that I will be among the saved people who enter heaven
Yeah when the saints go marching in.
When the saved people enter heaven
Yeah when my lord calls me home again,
When God calls me to return to heaven
Ah when my lord calls me home again,
When God calls me to return to heaven
I'll tell you I'm gonna be in that number,
I will be among the saved people who enter heaven
Oh when the saints go marching in.
When the saved people enter heaven
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRADITIONAL, VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Boner Boyz
The single most underrated pianist ever? RIP to the good Doc. An encyclopedia of American music history went to his grave.
zivkovicable
Bless the genius of Mac. But the most underrated piano player ever (especially in his lifetime)? That would be James Booker. I knew the good Doctor, & I know he would agree. Dr John played to packed houses, won Grammy's & sold a ton of records. He was rated. Booker died broke & played in bars.
The Boogie Man
He was known as a singer songwriter, as a pianist I would say the most underrated, he was known, just not as a pianist
The Boogie Man
I guess, I mean I’m only 16 and from the northeast so what do I know, 😂
big boss bob ross
I don’t know about “underrated”? Anyone who likes the blues or southern music loves dr John. He’s hella known. Specially down here
big boss bob ross
@Doug Trammell Yankees, man. Sheesh
Scott Lynch
Rest In Peace Dr. John. I pray the Good Lord takes you and that you are celebrating with His Saints soon.
fanmaxis3004
Damn this guy makes me wanna learn piano
Rsand 7519
Yeah, and when you're already playing this guy makes you wanna stop as you realise his playing is unhuman.... Never heard somebody play like the Doc.
Steve Lawrence
All the best licks in this one. Doc's playing is so exciting and satisfying. This is my all time favorite "Saints" by anyone. Love the contrast in styles/speeds and the setup from the dirge to the romp.