Music is one of the best ways to express various facets of life, including professions. The medical profession holds a special place. In fact, it has been the subject of numerous songs over the years.
These songs often take on a metaphorical approach, using the doctor as a symbol of healing in the physical, emotional, and spiritual sense. Some of these songs use the idea of a doctor as an allegory to explore themes of love, pain, and the human condition.
Today, we have compiled a list of 25 of the best songs about doctors. Read on and find out why doctors are figures of hope and relief.
1. “Dear Doctor” By The Rolling Stones
Up first, we have “Dear Doctor ” by The Rolling Stones. Released in 1968, the song uses the metaphor of a doctor to express emotional damage and heartache.
The narrator is going to be married to a woman he doesn’t love. He pleads with the doctor to help him escape this impending doom, saying, “There’s a pain where there once was a heart.” He expresses going through emotional turmoil and needs healing.
In this context, the doctor is portrayed as a healer, someone who can potentially heal a broken heart or spirit. The doctor could be interpreted as a friend or anyone who can offer him guidance and a way out of his situation.
2. “Like A Surgeon” By Weird Al Yankovic
Have a laugh with Weird Al Yankovic‘s humorous song “Like a Surgeon.” Released in 1985, it serves as a parody of Madonna’s hit “Like a Virgin.” The melody is the same but the lyrics reflect the experiences of surgeons.
The song uses humor and satire to depict the high-stakes environment of a surgical operation. It comments on the image of surgeons in a light-hearted way and makes references to the serious nature of their work.
At its core, “Like a Surgeon” is a playful take on the medical field. It uses exaggerated scenarios and comedic elements to entertain listeners and at the same time provide commentary on the profession.
3. “Doctor Robert” By The Beatles
From The Beatles‘ album Revolver comes “Doctor Robert,” released in 1966. This is credited to the songwriting team of Lennon-McCartney and makes explicit references to drugs.
“Doctor Robert” is understood to be about Doctor Robert Freymann. Sometimes called Speed Doctor, he reportedly supplied drugs to celebrities, including The Beatles. The song mentions the doctor as someone “helping anyone in need.”
In relation to doctors, the song uses the figure of Doctor Robert to explore several themes. It shines a light on dependency and the darker side of fame and success in the music industry.
4. “Bad Case Of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)” By Robert Palmer
Some songs depict doctors as those who can also cure people “sick” in love. Robert Palmer sings about this sentiment in “Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor).”
The lyrics “Doctor, doctor, gimme the news / I got a bad case of lovin’ you” express the narrator’s plea for help. The overwhelming emotions are too much for him. However, the line “No pill’s gonna cure my ill” suggests that there’s no easy remedy for his love-sickness.
As you can see, the song uses the metaphor of a doctor to express romantic feelings. The narrator seeks the doctor’s help for a solution to his problem regarding an uncontrollable love.
5. “Somebody Get Me A Doctor” By Van Halen
The high-energy song “Somebody Get Me a Doctor” by Van Halen uses the concept of needing a doctor as a metaphor. It’s not about medical themes but uses the call for a doctor as an expression of urgency.
The lyrics suggest a call for help or an expression of being overwhelmed. The narrator seems to be in great pain and seeks relief. The song suggests that a doctor can provide the relief he’s looking for.
At its core, the song uses the idea of a doctor as a symbol of relief from distress or discomfort. This could also be a commentary on how people often turn to external help when finding solutions to their problems.
6. “I Don’t Need No Doctor” By Humble Pie
The English rock band Humble Pie released “I Don’t Need No Doctor” in 1971. The song is about one’s determination to rely on himself and reject any external help. It also uses medical terminology as a metaphor to express self-reliance.
The lyrics suggest that the narrator is aware exactly of “what’s ailing [him].” He also knows the solution to that problem even though the doctor prescribes him some remedies.
In this context, the doctor symbolizes external help or intervention. The narrator’s rejection of the doctor’s help shows his determination to solve his problems independently.
7. “Dr. Feelgood” By Mötley Crüe
There are at least three songs dedicated to Dr. Feelgood. One is from the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. “Dr. Feelgood” represents drug dealers who offer a momentary escape from reality.
The song is a commentary on the rockstar lifestyle of excess and addiction. It follows Jimmy, a drug dealer who’s “got a little hideaway” and “does business all day.” In his town, he’s seen as Dr. Feelgood, who “makes ya feel alright.”
Obviously, the song does not explore the medical profession. It uses the idea of a doctor to symbolize a source of temporary relief, albeit through harmful means.
8. “I Need A Doctor” By Dr. Dre Ft. Eminem And Skylar Grey
In “I Need a Doctor” by Dr. Dre, featuring Eminem and Skylar Grey, the term “doctor” is used metaphorically. The song expresses the mutual support and friendship between rappers Dr. Dre and Eminem.
The title itself is a cry for help. It reflects Dr. Dre’s need for revival both in his music career and personal life. Eminem is referred to as the metaphorical doctor who provides support and motivation. He believes in Dr. Dre’s ability during times of self-doubt.
At its core, “I Need a Doctor” is about resilience, perseverance, and the power of friendship and mutual respect. It emphasizes that, like a doctor to a patient, a friend can provide support to overcome life’s challenges.
9. “Doctor! Doctor!” By Thompson Twins
There are numerous songs out there with “doctor” in the lyrics. One of them is “Doctor! Doctor!” by Thompson Twins. The song uses the concept of needing a doctor as a metaphor for the desperation one feels in romantic longing.
The chorus “Doctor! Doctor! Can’t you see I’m burning, burning?” expresses an urgent need for relief from emotional turmoil. The narrator experiences intense feelings associated with love and desire.
As you can see, the use of doctor here is symbolic. The doctor is a source of cure for the pain of unrequited love or troubled relationship.
10. “The Doctor” By The Doobie Brothers
Another song that uses the doctor metaphorically is one from The Doobie Brothers. “The Doctor,” released in 1989 from their Cycles album, describes the healing power of music.
The song suggests that music works like medicine for the soul, as reflected in the line, “Music is the doctor of my soul.” It can offer comfort and a sense of well-being to the listeners.
“The Doctor” celebrates music as a therapeutic force. It suggests that the right song can uplift one’s spirit and provide relief, much like a doctor would with medicine.
11. “Witch Doctor” By David Saville
Next on our list is “Witch Doctor” by David Seville. He was inspired to write the song by the book Duel with the Witch Doctor.
The narrative focuses on a man who has fallen in love with a woman. He needs help to impress her, and so he goes to a witch doctor for advice.
The witch doctor responds with a nonsensical but catchy phrase, “Ooh eeh, ooh aah aah / ting tang wallawalla bingbang.” This gibberish supposedly contains the magic to win the woman’s heart.
The reference to the witch doctor invokes the image of a shaman or a figure with mystical healing powers. The song carries a playful and whimsical theme, which was a characteristic novelty record for its time.
12. “Doctor, Doctor” By The Who
It may be a lesser-known track, but “Doctor, Doctor” by The Who makes our list. The lyrics describe a person who is going through health issues and seeks the help of a doctor.
The narrator seems to have contracted every single illness out there. This is addressed in the line, “I’ve got every sickness there is to be had.” At the moment, he’s got the mumps, and he’s certain he’ll catch chicken pox the following day.
He goes to a doctor, asking him to “make [him] well.” He believes he’s too ill and does not have long to live. This shows that the song is a straightforward presentation of a patient in need of medical attention.
13. “Down At The Doctors” By Dr. Feelgood
The English pub rock band Dr. Feelgood released “Down at the Doctors” in 1976 from the album Stupidity. It carries a straightforward message about visiting the doctor’s office. But with a twist.
The narrator is not suffering from health issues or needs medical attention in a traditional sense. Rather, the song depicts the doctor’s office as a place where one can feel good and energized. And so anyone can look forward to this visit because it makes them “feel alive.”
The song is presented in a rock and blues tune with an upbeat tempo that suggests excitement. The vibe of the song conveys the message that going to the doctor is something to look forward to.
14. “Medicine Man” By Whitesnake
A medicine man refers to a traditional healer in indigenous cultures. In the 1979 song “Medicine Man,” the hard rock band Whitesnake uses the term as a metaphor.
In the lyrics, the narrator calls himself the medicine man and the “doctor of love.” The song suggests he can provide a cure or relief. However, it implies that the remedy is not for a physical ailment. Rather, it’s for matters of the heart or relationships.
As the song has shown us, it plays on the idea of offering help and healing in a more figurative or romantic context. The medicine man here is someone capable of mending emotional wounds and fulfilling emotional needs.
15. “Doctor’s Orders” By Carol Douglas
The catchy disco song “Doctor’s Orders” by Carol Douglas is up next. It uses medical terminology metaphorically to talk about longing for companionship.
In the lyrics, the narrator addresses her lover, who is away at the moment. She tells him that she’d been to the doctor because she felt “a pain deep down inside.” Turns out there’s nothing wrong; she’s just missing him.
And so the doctor prescribes love and “a potion full of warm emotion” to cure her. The song playfully uses the concept of following doctor’s orders as advice for the narrator.
16. “Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out” By The Replacements
Our next song presents a child’s experience with the healthcare system from a playful but cynical perspective. That’s “Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out” by The Replacements.
The song is from the perspective of a doctor who looks forward to golfing rather than treating little Tommy. The child is undergoing a procedure to get his tonsils removed. The doctor is in a hurry because he has left his Cadillac running, and he’ll “tee off in an hour.”
The song has been interpreted as a commentary on the American medical system. It hints that doctors and the industry are more focused on profit than patient care.
17. “Doctor Jones” By Aqua
Among songs with “doctor” in the title, the 1997 hit “Doctor Jones” by Aqua stands out for its catchy beat. The song is a nod to the fictional character Indiana Jones.
The lyrics speak to the narrator’s longing and the desire to rekindle a lost romance. The mention of “Doctor Jones” seems to represent a source of rescue. Or he could be someone who can cure the narrator’s heartache.
“Doctor Jones” was an international hit upon its release. It topped the charts in several countries including the UK and Australia.
18. “Lady Godiva’s Operation” By The Velvet Underground
The 1968 song “Lady Godiva’s Operation” by The Velvet Underground features an unsettling narrative. It recounts a botched surgical procedure by a doctor to a patient named Lady Godiva.
Throughout the years, listeners have provided their own interpretations of the song. Many seem to agree that Lady Godiva is a trans-sexual and wants to undergo a sex change operation. Others believe that the procedure is a lobotomy.
Whatever the case, the doctor’s role in the surgical operation is central but depicted in an ambiguous light. The procedure lacks clear consent or understanding from Lady Godiva. Thus, the song is seen as a reflection on medical ethics and the dynamics between patients and doctors.
19. “Cold Cold Cold” By Cage The Elephant
When we feel depressed, we go to a doctor for assistance. “Cold Cold Cold” by Cage the Elephant is about someone who seeks a doctor’s help as he grapples with inner turmoil.
The lyrics capture a sense of desperation and desolation. The narrator feels lifeless, as addressed in the line, “I’ve been breathing air, but there’s no sign of life.” By saying, “The problem’s in my chest,” it could mean heartache or emotional pain.
The interaction with the doctor reflects an attempt to address the issues. The narrator yearns for a remedy to alleviate his suffering and believes the doctor can provide it.
20. “Call The Doctor” By Funkadelic
Up next is a single from the funk rock band Funkadelic. Released in 1980, “Call the Doctor” uses the doctor as a metaphor within the context of funk music.
The song suggests that funk music is a healing force. It has the power to restore joy and vitality. The narrator advises that “If you lived a funkless life,” then you must call the doctor.
This medical professional, Dr. Funk, has the power to heal you. The lyrics further suggest that you don’t need any pills. This doctor can heal through the groove and rhythm of funk.
21. “Dr. Beat” By Gloria Estefan And Miami Sound Machine
Another song using the title and concept of a doctor metaphorically is Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine’s “Dr. Beat.” The doctor is not a traditional medical practitioner but a symbolic figure.
In the lyrics, the doctor represents the healing power of music with its upbeat rhythm and danceable beat. The song suggests that music can provide comfort from emotional distress. It serves as a source of comfort and energy, similar to how a doctor would treat physical ailments.
At its core, “Dr. Beat” works through the idea that just as a doctor heals the body, music (Dr. Beat) can heal the spirit.
22. “I Am Your Doctor” By Wyclef Jean Ft. Elephant Man And Wayne Wonder
From Wyclef Jean‘s album The Preacher’s Son comes the single “I Am Your Doctor.” This collaboration with Elephant Man and Wayne Wonder was released in 2003.
Lyrically, the song uses the concept of a doctor in a metaphorical sense. Wyclef Jeans calls himself a musical doctor who prescribes his friendship and love as a remedy for the listener’s needs.
The song suggests that music can provide a form of healing similar to that of a doctor’s care. Notably, the comparison is symbolic and not related to medical practice. It’s all about the healing and uniting power of music and relationships.
23. “Turn Me On” By David Guetta Ft. Nicki Minaj
Released in 2011, “Turn Me On” by David Guetta, featuring Nicki Minaj, became popular in nightclubs and dance charts worldwide. Its energetic beats and catchy chorus are particularly notable.
The song uses the concept of a doctor metaphorically. It’s about desire and a plea for someone who can provide relief and satisfaction. This is similar to how a doctor might provide a cure or remedy.
The repeated call for a doctor refers to a yearning for a loved one’s presence and affection. The notion of needing the doctor to “give [her] something” implies a need for emotional or physical connection.
24. “Dr. Feel Good” By Travie McCoy Ft. CeeLo Green
The penultimate to our list is “Dr. Feel Good” by rapper and singer-songwriter Travie McCoy. Featuring CeeLo Green, the song uses the metaphor of a doctor who can provide relief from pain or discomfort.
In this context, the relief the narrator seeks is not medical but emotional or psychological. He needs help in coping with life’s challenges. He calls upon “Dr. Feel Good” to take away his pain and give him something to get through the day.
The song uses the term “doctor” symbolically. It refers to a source of comfort or happiness rather than a literal medical professional.
25. “Doctor Please” By Blue Cheer
Completing our list is “Doctor Please” by the rock band Blue Cheer. It was released from their album Vincebus Eruptum, released in 1968.
The song delves into themes related to drug use and the desire for escapism. The use of the term “doctor” is metaphorical. It represents a plea for relief or a way to cope with the pressures of life. The narrator’s request for a “painkiller” suggests a yearning for something to numb or alleviate discomfort.
However, it’s important to note that the song does not advocate for drug use. It just captures a specific moment in time and the sentiments prevalent among young people during the late 1960s.
Summing Up Our List Of Doctor Songs
As the songs above showed, the concept of a doctor is used either literally or metaphorically. When used metaphorically, it’s to explore deeper themes connected to one’s search for comfort and relief.
Our list exemplifies the versatility of the doctor metaphor in popular music. It allows songwriters to tackle various subjects ranging from love to pain.
That’s it for now. But as you know, our list is not exhaustive. There are still a lot of songs out there about this medical profession, so if you have more recommendations, let us know.
