This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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.
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
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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I believe that some of the others were on the right track when they said Dr. John was referring to his drugs, but I believe it's more specifically about a man being pelted with one-night-stand upon one-night-stand who is turning to alcoholism and trying to find out where he went wrong.
(I look for joy in a strange place From the back of a bar, from afar See the look on my momma's face When her son's in the corner, undone)
He's trying to find solace in his pick-ups, but knows he's not likely to find anything. His loved ones try to support him but he turns them away.
(Oh, Dr. Johhhhn What am I doing? What am I doing wrong? 'Cause I keep on trying Something ain't going Something ain't going on)
He tries to turn to alcohol (Dr. John - Jack Daniels) to help "cure" him and find the right path in his life, which he realizes is less than ideal. He acknowledges that no matter what he does, he can't seem to find happiness in what he's doing right now.
You can tell that it's not just alcoholism, but a combination of that and a history of one-night-stands from some of the other lines. "Another day, another break-up" in particular. But that's just my take on it.