The first album by Graham Parker and the Rumour, Howlin' Wind, was released to acclaim in 1976 and was rapidly followed by the stylistically similar Heat Treatment. A mixture of rock, ballads, and reggae-influenced numbers, these albums reflected Parker's early influences (Motown, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan,Van Morrison) and contained the songs which formed the core of Parker's live shows -- "White Honey", "Soul Shoes", "Lady Doctor", "Fool's Gold", and his early signature tune "Don't Ask Me Questions", which hit the top 40 in the UK.
Parker and the Rumour built a reputation as incendiary live performers: the promotional album Live at Marble Arch was recorded at this time and shows off their raw onstage style. Like the pub rock scene he was loosely tied to, the singer's class-conscious lyrics and passionate vocals signaled a renewal of rock music as punk rock began to flower in Britain.
Bob Andrews left The Rumour in early 1980, and was not officially replaced. However, in studio sessions for the next album (The Up Escalator), Nicky Hopkins and Danny Federici (of The E Street Band) sat in on keyboards.
1980's The Up Escalator was Parker's highest-charting album in the UK and featured production by Jimmy Iovine and guest vocals from Bruce Springsteen. Significantly, the front cover of the album credited only Graham Parker, not "Graham Parker and The Rumour".
The Up Escalator would prove to be Parker's last album with the Rumour, although guitarist Brinsley Schwarz would reunite with Parker in 1983 and play on most of the singer's albums through the decade's end. As well, bassist Andrew Bodnar would rejoin Parker from 1988 through the mid 1990s, and drummer Steve Goulding would play on Parker's 2001 album Deepcut To Nowhere.
In early 2011, Parker reunited with all five original members of The Rumour to record a new album. The record, titled Three Chords Good, was released in November 2012.
Lady Doctor
Graham Parker & The Rumour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
G see g see
I've got a lady doctor she cure da pain for free
G see bb f g
I've got a lady doctor oh there ain't nothing wrong with me.
G see g see
I went in with a heart burn into the surgery
To my surprise two pretty eyes was running up and down me.
Help yourself to the pills cure your ills
Bb f g
I'm never gonna square it on out.
Repeat chorus
Well all the cats said go see her it's only just down the road
You go in with pneumonia come out with just a heavy cold
She won't give you no jargon no medical how-do-you-do
Well just get right down under that stethoscope
Baby let that lady mess on with you.
Repeatr chorus (then instrumental chorus)
Repeat chorus (twice, sung up an octave)
Ain't nothing wrong with
Ain't nothing wrong with me
Bb f bb f see bb f g
Ooh ooh ooh ooh lady doctor yeah. /pre>
The lyrics of Graham Parker & The Rumour's song Lady Doctor talk about a man's experience with his lady doctor. The opening lines suggest that the man has some kind of pain, and the lady doctor is capable of curing it without charging him any money. The singer goes on to express his fondness for his lady doctor and claims that there is nothing wrong with him, suggesting that his visits to the lady doctor have done the trick.
As the song progresses, the singer shares his experience of visiting the lady doctor with heartburn, and he seems to be smitten by her beauty. The lady doctor asks him to lie down on the couch, take some pills and enjoy the treatment. The chorus reiterates his admiration for the lady doctor and how she has made him feel better. The song portrays the lady doctor as being knowledgeable, caring, and effective, and the singer seems to be grateful for her help.
Overall, the song Lady Doctor is a light-hearted and humorous take on a man's experience with a doctor, with a hint of romantic interest in the doctor added in. By praising his lady doctor, the singer seems to be suggesting that a good doctor can not only cure someone's physical ailments but can also lift their spirits.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got a lady doctor she cure da pain for free
I have a female doctor who treats my pain without charging me any fee.
I've got a lady doctor oh there ain't nothing wrong with me.
My lady doctor assures me that I am perfectly healthy and have no medical issues.
I went in with a heart burn into the surgery
I visited the clinic with a burning sensation in my chest.
To my surprise two pretty eyes was running up and down me.
I was pleasantly surprised by the attractive appearance of my doctor examining me.
Said now be a patient patient stretch right out on that couch
She instructed me to lie down on the examination couch and be patient while she diagnosed me.
Help yourself to the pills cure your ills
She recommended me to take the prescribed pills to cure my illness.
I'm never gonna square it on out.
I will never be able to solve or figure out my health problems on my own.
Well all the cats said go see her it's only just down the road
Everyone recommends visiting her as her clinic is nearby.
You go in with pneumonia come out with just a heavy cold
Even if you have severe pneumonia, she will only diagnose and treat you for a mild cold.
She won't give you no jargon no medical how-do-you-do
She avoids using complicated medical jargon and greets you like a friend rather than a patient.
Well just get right down under that stethoscope
You need to place yourself beneath the stethoscope for diagnosis.
Baby let that lady mess on with you.
You need to let that lady doctor do her job of examining you and prescribing medication.
Ain't nothing wrong with
There is no issue or problem with my health.
Ooh ooh ooh ooh lady doctor yeah.
Expressing satisfaction with the services of the lady doctor.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Graham Parker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Keith P
Best musician who never hit it big. I saw him in Dallas last in an intimate venue. He was playing solo with no band, eking out a living. He still gave it heart and soul. It was a great show. My favorite artist from the day, hands down.
Dag Nabbit
I am a Senior Citizen rocknroll fan . I remember Graham Parker was given a big push by fans and even the Suits during those late 70 early 80s post Disco years. I was one of those fans but unlike Elvis Costello who came along at nearly the same time , Graham just didn’t bust through
Randy Prichard
I use to have HUNDREDS of l.p's and Howlin' Wind was in the top ten.
Keith orlandini
Bob Andrews great organ Playing is the bedrock of this song and there is brief highlighted guitar and saxophone section (which were probably both contributed by Brinsley Schwarz
Pieter Goudriaan
Ik voel me niet zo goed de afgelopen dagen dus heb ik maar een afspraak gemaakt met m'n dokter.
Charles Chandler
I was thinkin' of this song again...for some reason???...hehehe...:)O(:..
mike hoffer
same here..all day at work this song was running through my head..
Charles Chandler
I hope I don't ever need a doctor, but if I do...mmmm...etc...:)O(:...