Dr. Feelgood, by: Motley Crue lyrics and analysis

Lyrics:
Yeah yeah
Rat-tailed Jimmy is a second hand hood
Deals out in Hollywood
Got a '65 Chevy, primered flames
Traded for some powdered goods
Jigsaw Jimmy he's the one in the game
But I hear he's doin' o.k.
Got a cozy little job selling the Mexican mob
Packages the candycaine

He's the one they call Dr. Feel good
He's the one that makes ya feel all right
He's the one they call Dr. Feel good

Cops on the corner always ignore
Somebody's getting paid
Jimmy's got it wired, law's for hire
Got it made in the shade
Got a little hideaway, does business all day
But at night he'll always be found
Sellin' sugar to the sweet
People on the street
Call this Jimmy's town

He's the one they call Dr. Feelgood
He's the one that makes ya feel all right
He's the one they call Dr. Feelgood
He's gonna be your Frankenstein
I've got one thing you'll understand
(Dr. Feelgood)
he's not what you'd call a glamorous man
(Dr. Feelgood)
Got one thing that's easily understood
(Dr. Feelgood)
He's the one they call Dr. Feelgood
Oh yeah

He'll tell you he's the king
Of these barrio streets
Moving up the shangri-la
Came by his wealth as a matter of luck
Says he never broke no law
Two time loser running out of juice
Time to move out quick
Heard a rumour going round
Jimmy's going down
This time it's gonna stick

He's the one they call Dr. Feelgood
He's the one that makes ya feel all right
He's the one they call Dr. Feelgood
He's gonna be your Frankenstein

Let him soothe your soul, just take his hand
(Dr. Feelgood)
Some people call him an evil man
(Dr. Feelgood)
Let him introduce himself real good
(Dr. Feelgood)
He's the only one they call Feelgood
*solo*
Guitar!

(SPOKEN) Listen to Jimmy,
Come play with Dr.Feelgood....

I've got one thing you'll understand
(Dr. Feelgood)
he's not what you'd call a glamorous man
(Dr. Feelgood)
Got one thing that's easily understood
(Dr. Feelgood)
He's the one they call Dr. Feel good
oh yeah
Dr. Feelgood (Dr. Feelgood)
Dr. Feelgood (Dr. Feelgood)
Dr. Feelgood (Dr. Feelgood)

Analysis:

In the song: “Dr. Feelgood,” by Mötley Crüe, the writers use imagery and euphemisms to describe the life of a drug dealer named Jimmy, and they show how even though the life of a drug dealer can be easy and cool, it can quickly come crashing down around you. Mötley Crüe basically took a subject they were very familiar with, drugs, and simply made an awesome song about it. The song is written like a narrative about this kind of life, and even though it’s mainly about the dealer, Jimmy, it also addresses the listener directly in a few places.

Imagery is used in the song to describe the places, people, and events in Jimmy’s life. For example, the line: “Got a '65 Chevy, primered flames Traded for some powdered goods” describes jimmy’s car and how he got it, he got it in exchange for some cocaine. Imagery is basically used in this song to help establish the setting of the story that’s being told.

Euphemisms are everywhere in this song’s lyrics. Great examples are several euphemisms used for cocaine, including “powdered goods,” and “candycaine.” Also, the dealer’s nickname “Dr. Feelgood,” is also a euphemism, because it kind-of tells that Jimmy is a drug dealer but it doesn’t give out a bad vibe.