My wife had some minor surgery on her foot last week. After the surgery was over her surgeon shook my hand. Boy, was his hand soft and warm. Anyway, she’s got some pain that’s being mediated with drugs that make her loopy but she’s doing fine. So it seems like a good time for a tribute to the medical profession.

Dr. John “Good Night Irene” (Lead Belly)
There’s probably a great story about how Mac Rebennac became Dr. John The Night Tripper. I’m guessing that it probably didn’t involve a medical school in the Caribbean.

Whirling Dervishes “(You’re A Mean One) Mr. Grinch” (From How The Grinch Stole Christmas)
Yeah, Dr. Suess wasn’t really a doctor. He just played one when he was writing children’s books. I remember seeing somewhere that Dweezil Zappa recorded a version of this song but I couldn’t find it anywhere, so I went with this one from the Whirling Dervishes. My wife thinks it’s groovy, and this is her post after all.

Cassandra Wilson “St. James Infirmary” (Traditional)
This is an old English folk tune that changed a bit when it got to America. Originally the dead guy died from the clap, but in America he died from drinking and gambling. Louis Armstrong recorded a version that turned the song into something of a jazz standard. This version is still kinda jazzy but it has a real nice syncopated beat.

The Beatlesøns “Dear Doctor” (Rolling Stones)
You may not be familiar with this obscure song from the Beggar’s Banquet album. The original features Mick Jagger striving mightily (if unsuccessfully) to sing with an American accent. If you’re heartbroken why would you want the doctor to remove your heart and preserve it in a jar? Your heart hurts and you want the doctor to remove the painful thing. Fine. But would you then want to use it as a paperweight or something?

Jason Trachtenburg “Doctor Worm” (They Might Be Giants)
I love TMBG and I’ve always loved this song. I used to sing it to my daughter as a lullabye. She loves it too, she’s got good taste. Just remember that he’s not a real doctor but he is a real worm, so his medical advice might not be the best.