The late great Mac Rebbenack, aka Dr. John, was the epitome of a New Orleans artist, combining, blues, jazz, funk, and R&B into that irrepressible, inimitable blend of music that could only come from the Big Easy.

In fact, Mac himself could only have come from the Louisiana city, having been born there, apprenticing with another New Orleans great, Professor Longhair, and channeling local voodoo tradition (including his stage name) into his persona and early performances.

Rebbenack died in 2019 after a 60-year career and will be remembered for his distinctive voice on such hits as “Right Place Wrong Time” and “Such a Night” (the latter sampled here), plus six Grammy awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

We miss Mac, but the music lives on.

Lyrics

Such a night, it’s such a night
Sweet confusion under the moonlight
Such a night, such a night
To steal away, the time is right

Your eyes caught mine, and at a glance
You let me know that this was my chance
But you came here with my best friend Jim
And here I am, tryin’ to steal you away from him

Oh, but if I don’t do it, you know somebody else will
If I don’t do it, you know somebody else will
If I don’t do it, you know somebody else will
If I don’t do it, you know somebody else will

And it’s such a night, it’s such a night
Sweet confusion under the moonlight
It’s such a night, such a night
To steal away, the time is right

Yeah, I couldn’t believe my ear
And my heart just skipped a beat
When you told me to take you walkin’ down the street
Oh, yeah, you came here with my best friend Jim
Here I am, I’m stealin’ you away from him

Oh, but if I don’t do it, you know somebody else will
If I don’t do it, you know somebody else will
If I don’t do it, you know somebody else will
If I don’t do it, you know somebody else will

‘Cause it’s such a night