Dr. John
MIKA Lyrics


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I look for joy in a strange place
From the back of the bar
From afar
I see the look on my mama's face
When her son's in the corner, undone

She says that my life is over
But boy, you don't know what you got till it's gone
Come put your head upon my shoulder
She gave me her hand, but I ignored her

Oh, Dr. John
What am I doing
What am I doing I wrong?
Cause I keep on trying
Something ain't going
Something ain't going on
Oh, Dr. John

I look for joy in a strange place
From the back of a bar
From afar
I see the look on my daddy's face
When his son's fallin' over, undone

Well Father my life is over
Well I didn't know what I had now it's gone
Can I lay my head upon your shoulder?
If I fall asleep, will it be over?

Oh, Dr. John
What am I doing
What am I doing I wrong?
Cause I keep on trying
Something ain't going
Something ain't going on

Oh, Dr. John
What am I doing
What am I doing I wrong?
Cause I keep on trying
Something ain't going
Something ain't going on

They say I'm a big heartbreaker
But Doctor, I never hurt you
Isn't it obvious?

Oh, Dr. John
What am I doing
What am I doing I wrong?

Cause I keep on trying
Something ain't going
Something ain't going on

(Another day, another break up)
Oh, Dr. John
(Hold on, and on, Hold on, and on)

I keep on trying
(Another day, another wake up)

We hold on, and on
We hold on, and on

Oh, Dr. John
(Another day, another wake up)

We hold on, and on
We hold on, and on
(Another day, another wake up)

(I keep on trying)
We hold on, and on
We hold on, and on

Oh, Dr. John
What am I doing
What am I doing wrong?
I keep on trying
Something ain't going
Something ain't going on

Dr. John

Ooh, ooh, ooh





Dr. John.

Overall Meaning

The song "Dr. John" by Mika is about a man who looks for joy in all the wrong places and finds himself falling apart. The singer of the song goes into a bar, looking for happiness, but he finds himself in a place of despair. He sees the disappointment in his parents' faces, knowing that he has disappointed them by his reckless ways. He feels lost and helpless, wanting to seek help but not knowing how to do so.


The name "Dr. John" refers to a New Orleans-based musician who was renowned for his work in blues and rhythm and blues genres. However, in the song, "Dr. John" is used to represent someone who can offer guidance and support.


Line by Line Meaning

I look for joy in a strange place
I search for happiness in unfamiliar places


From the back of the bar
From the rear of the pub


From afar
I see it from a distance


I see the look on my mama's face
I notice the expression on my mother's face


When her son's in the corner, undone
When her child is in the corner, helpless


She says that my life is over
She claims that my life has ended


But boy, you don't know what you got till it's gone
You don't appreciate what you have until it's gone


Come put your head upon my shoulder
Lean your head on my shoulder


She gave me her hand, but I ignored her
She offered her hand, but I disregarded it


Oh, Dr. John
Oh, Dr. John


What am I doing
What am I doing


What am I doing I wrong?
What am I doing incorrectly?


Cause I keep on trying
Because I persist


Something ain't going
Something is wrong


Something ain't going on
Something is out of place


I see the look on my daddy's face
I notice the expression on my father's face


When his son's falling over, undone
When his child is collapsing, helpless


Well Father my life is over
Well, father, my life has ended


Well I didn't know what I had now it's gone
I didn't realize what I had, now it's gone


Can I lay my head upon your shoulder?
May I rest my head on your shoulder?


If I fall asleep, will it be over?
If I drift off to sleep, will it all end?


They say I'm a big heartbreaker
They say I cause a lot of heartache


But Doctor, I never hurt you
But doctor, I never caused you pain


Isn't it obvious?
Isn't it clear?


(Another day, another break up)
(Another day, another separation)


Hold on, and on, Hold on, and on
Hold on, and on, Hold on, and on


Another day, another wake up
Another day has begun


We hold on, and on
We hold on, and on


Dr. John
Dr. John


What am I doing wrong?
What am I doing incorrectly?


Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL HOLBROOK PENNIMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Uiin김

I look for joy in a strange place
From the back of the bar
From afar
I see the look on my mama's face
When her son's in the corner, undone

She says that my life is over
"Boy, you don't know what you got 'til it's gone.
Come put your head upon my shoulder."
She gave me her hand, but I ignored her

Oh, Dr. John
What am I doing?
What am I doing wrong?
'Cause I keep on trying
Something ain't going
Something ain't going on
Oh, Dr. John

I look for joy in a strange place
In the back of a bar
From afar
I see the look on my daddy's face
When his son's falling over, undone

Father, my life is over
I didn't know what I had, now it's gone
Can I lay my head upon your shoulder?
If I fall asleep, will it be over?

Oh, Dr. John
What am I doing?
What am I doing wrong?
'Cause I keep on trying
Something ain't going
Something ain't going on

Oh, Dr. John
What am I doing?
What am I doing wrong?
'Cause I keep on trying
Something ain't going
Something ain't going on

You say I'm a big heartbreaker
But, Doctor, I'd never hurt ya
Isn't it obvious?

Oh, Dr. John
What am I doing?
What am I doing wrong?
'Cause I keep on trying
Something ain't going
Something ain't going on

(Oh, Dr. John.)
Another day, another break up.
We hold on, and on
We hold on, and on, and on
(I keep on trying.)
Another day, another wake up.
We hold on, and on
We hold on, and on, and on

(Oh, Dr. John.)
Another day, another break up.
(We hold on, and on.)
What am I doing?
(We hold on, and on, and on.)
What am I doing wrong?
'Cause I (keep on trying)
(Another day, another wake up.)
(We hold on, and on.)
Something ain't going
(We hold on, and on, and on.)
Something ain't going on

(Oh, Dr. John.)
(Another day, another break up.)
(We hold on, and on.)
What am I doing
(We hold on, and on, and on.)
What am I doing wrong?
'Cause I (keep on trying)
(Another day, another wake up.)
(We hold on, and on.)
Something ain't going
(We hold on, and on, and on.)
Something ain't going on

Dr. John

Ooh, ooh, ooh

Dr. John



All comments from YouTube:

Grace Lopez

It's been so many wonderful years and the fanbase keeps growing and it fills me with joy! 😍 I've loved MIKA since I was ten and now I'm almost 18!!!

Some Weirdo

I'm 14, I remember listening to Grace Kelly when it first came out and its still so good

Mac Snow

Same, hope the fan base keeps on growing for him tho

Kelly Fairman

Still in love with this song after all these years of listening!

Beetlefisch

my name is John, i´m a doctor and i hear this for the first time. and mika has the same birthday like me. love it.

Mousa

Woooow.
This is a great synchronicity 👍

theatregeekmania

I can't stop listening to this song! Love it!

Andrea Martini

This song will always lay in a special place in my heart!

the artist formerly known as mma

This is one of my favorite songs. It feels so warm and melancholy

Daphné Bab

I just LOOOVE ALL mika's songs, he's definitely one of my favorite singers'

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