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.


Lyrics submitted by nightsky13

Dr. John Lyrics as written by Michael Holbrook Penniman

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Dr. John song meanings
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    General Comment

    I initially thought it was about autism when listening to it but, after reading the lyrics, I think it's about depression. I think he keeps "trying" but things aren't getting better and I think he may even have suicidal thoughts, which is the significance of "another day, another wake up" toward the end. Of course, another significance could be that his life feels repetitive and nothing's changing. I think the lyrics suggest that he has pushed everyone away, rejecting his parents support and ending various relationships. I think it does tie in with themes of alcoholism. I think he's looking for joy in a bar because he's trying to escape his depression through drinking. Dr John is presumably a therapist.

    Drabswinon March 15, 2017   Link

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