Doctor, Doctor, Give Me The News: 40 Songs About Doctors

Between drug habits, stage accidents, unhealthy lifestyles and rehab stints, rock stars might visit the doctor (or “doctor,” in some cases) more than the average person. That might explain the abundance of medically themed songs in rock ’n’ roll, including these 40 songs about doctors.

The types of doctors in these tunes are myriad. Some are responsible for someone’s next fix (“Doctor Robert,” “Dr. Feelgood”), while others focus on trying to fix their patients’ heads (“The Real Me,” “Doctor My Eyes”). Sometimes the doctor in the song symbolizes something else, including the spirit of music (“Rock ’n’ Roll Doctor”), society’s intolerance (“Lady Godiva’s Operation”) and the devastation of drugs (“Doctor Wu”).


From the evidence present in these songs, musicians seem to operate under the misguided notion that their family doctor is the one to consult anytime they’re having romantic issues. Artists from Robert Palmer and Aerosmith to the Young Rascals and Paul Simon have sung about visiting the doctor for assistance with lovesickness. Others, who are apparently more confident in their abilities, bestowed an instant doctorate on themselves, often with a degree in getting’ it on. Both Lemmy and Gene Simmons became “Dr. Love” while David Coverdale proclaimed himself a “Medicine Man” and Peter Green embodied the neighborhood sexpert.

If rock songs shaped popular opinion on the medical profession, the numbers would not look good. At best, the doctors in these songs are often clueless or unhelpful (check out his instructions in “Coconut”). At worst, they’re irresponsible (“Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out”) or downright nefarious (“Comfortably Numb”). It’s no wonder that the Doobie Brothers and Black Sabbath would rather put their trust in the curative power of music.

Below are tracks about 40 rock doctors who are good and bad, sleazy and mad. If their medical advice isn’t helpful, the music is just what the doctor ordered.


Van Halen, “Somebody Get Me a Doctor” (1979)

Usually, people call the doctor when they’re feeling awful. In the case of this chugging track from ‘Van Halen II,’ David Lee Roth seems to require medical attention because of how good he’s feeling. He’s “feelin’ no pain,” “over-fine” and “high,” but he’s also in shock and unable to walk. What’s wrong with Diamond Dave? Who knows? Somebody get him a doctor.

Kiss, “Calling Dr. Love” (1977)

When rockers aren’t begging physicians to help with their romantic lives, sometimes they take the Hippocratic oath themselves. Gene Simmons apparently earned his doctorate in love before this 1977 Kiss single, which was inspired by a Three Stooges short (the hallmark of a true medical professional). Dr. Love declares himself the cure for what ails all females. If his methods aren’t reasonable (“So if you please get on your knees”), his rates are (“There are no bills, there are no fees”).


The Beatles, “Doctor Robert" (1966)

On this ‘Revolver’ rocker, the Fab Four praised the almost mystical powers of the titular doc, a thinly veiled ode to drugs, and a man who supplied them. There are many theories about the “real” Dr. Robert, who could be Dr. Robert Freymann (he gave B-12 shots laced with speed to New York celebrities), Bob Dylan (he turned the Beatles onto marijuana) and Robert “Groovy Bob” Fraser (he was a gallery owner and pal of ’60s rockers who had many substances at his disposal). John Lennon, the primary writer of the song, later said it was about himself.


The Rolling Stones, “Dear Doctor” (1968)

On this ‘Beggars Banquet’ chestnut, the Stones play hillbilly music for laughs, turning the country cliché of getting stood up at the altar into a positive result, because Mick Jagger didn’t really want to marry her anyway. The story is bookended by visits to a physician with Dr. Frankenstein-like powers who removes our hero’s heart before the ceremony, only to replace it when circumstances change.



Aerosmith, “The Hand That Feeds” (1977)

On the cut from ‘Draw the Line,’ Steven Tyler shrieks over and over and over again for a doctor to help him with his inability to resist the temptations of the “loose-hearted ladies” in the crowd at Aerosmith shows. Perhaps it’s not surprising that a member of Aerosmith had trouble with self-control.

Mötley Crüe, “Dr. Feelgood" (1989)

Dr. Feelgood was a band, a stage name for a jazz pianist, the title of an Aretha Franklin tune, a slang term for heroin and a nickname for a number of less-than-ethical physicians. It was also the name of Mötley Crüe’s biggest hit single and LP. Nikki Sixx wrote the lyrics to this pop metal rampage about a Hollywood drug dealer, having had first-hand knowledge of the subject as a customer.


Pink Floyd, “Comfortably Numb” (1979)

In “Comfortably Numb,” bassist Roger Waters embodies a doctor charged with injecting the album’s main character with a drug that will allow him to hit the stage (“that’ll keep you going through the show”). But, as David Gilmour sings the chorus to one of the Floyd’s most famous tunes, the quick fix isn’t a true solution for mental issues.



The Who, “There’s a Doctor”/”Go to the Mirror!” (1969)

In both of the Who’s famous rock operas, Pete Townshend invokes doctors in his songwriting. With ‘Tommy,’ the deaf, dumb and blind boy is taken by his parents to a local physician who finds nothing physically wrong with Tommy and determines that his symptoms are the result of “his inner block.” In the movie version, Jack Nicholson plays the doctor, which instantly makes the scene more nefarious.


Slash (feat. Lemmy), “Doctor Alibi” (2010)

As evidenced by the bounty of Motörhead songs found later in this list, Lemmy had a little bit of a doctor fixation. In “Doctor Alibi,” which he co-wrote with Slash for the Guns N’ Roses guitarist’s 2010 album, he remains defiant in the face of medical guidance. Five years before his 2015 passing, Lemmy declared, “Don’t you try to make me change, I’ll haunt you for a thousand years.”

Black Sabbath, “Rock ’n’ Roll Doctor" (1976)

Motörhead’s far from the only band that ever perceived the healing properties of rock ’n’ roll. But after Black Sabbath fans heard some of the puzzling choices on 1976’s ‘Technical Ecstasy,’ they might have encouraged the metal legends to see a “Rock ’n’ Roll Doctor” rather than singing about one.


Steely Dan, “Doctor Wu” (1975)

As with the Beatles’ ”Doctor Robert,” Steely Dan’s physician of choice might be an actual person: Dr. Jing Nuan Wu, who allegedly helped a member of the Dan conquer drug addiction. Conversely, Donald Fagen has suggested that the “doctor” in the song from 1975 is a stand-in for the actual addiction. “Have you done all you can do?” Fagen sings, “Are you with me, doctor?”


The Young Rascals, “Good Lovin’” (1966)

On their 1966 cover of the Olympics’ R&B tune, Felix Cavaliere and company sought out “Mr. M.D.” for a cure to bad feelings. The family doctor acknowledged that he had the answer, underscored this by re-affirming this fact five times (“yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah”) and then revealed that his patient needed to be loved, and good. Then, we can only assume, he billed the Young Rascals an exorbitant rate for this medical expertise.



Cheap Trick, “The Doctor” (1986)

On Cheap Trick’s 1986 album, love was the primary subject of the power pop band’s songwriting, with guitarist Rick Nielsen writing the title track that allowed singer Robin Zander to share his expertise (and make house calls). With a schizophrenic sound and lyrics comparing love to a surgeon’s tools, the song doesn’t necessarily have the best bedside manner.


Motörhead, “I’m the Doctor" (1982)

Is it possible that if Lemmy hadn’t become a rock star, he would have entered the medical care profession? That’s because more than a few Motörhead songs involve doctors, such as this one from 1982’s ‘Iron Fist’ in which the singing bassist declares himself a doctor who believes in overkill. If you need a second opinion, you can also ask… Lemmy. Motörhead also covered “I’m Your Witch Doctor.”



The Who, “The Real Me” (1973)

The first “real” song on 1973’s ‘Quadrophenia’ examines the struggles of Jimmy, the protagonist with a split personality disorder. He sees his local preacher and talks to his mother, but first he goes to a psychiatric doctor to try to determine his condition, and becomes impatient with the lack of instant diagnosis. Later on in the story, Jimmy becomes a “doctor” in his mind, but that’s more of a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde situation.


Bruce Springsteen, “Lady and the Doctor" (1973)

This acoustic, unreleased rarity (which didn’t make the cut for Springsteen’s 1973 debut album) deals with a doctor who can “juice” the animals, but appears unable to cure his lady’s lovesickness.


The Doobie Brothers, “The Doctor" (1989)

This single heralded the Doobie Brothers’ big comeback in 1989 and celebrated the magical powers of music. The lyrics, co-written by singer-guitarist Tom Johnston, pair “getting the band back together” optimism with the practicality of middle age. “Music is the doctor / makes you feel like you want to,” goes the chorus, “Listen to the doctor / just like you ought to.”



Jethro Tull, “Doctor to My Disease” (1991)

Tull frontman Ian Anderson made his contribution to the tradition of songwriters conjuring medical conditions out of romantic attachment with this song from 1991’s ‘Catfish Rising.’ While some artists might enjoy playing doctor with their paramour, Anderson is against the practice, warning, “It’s no use you playing doctor to my disease.” What does help, apparently, are flute solos. Lots of flute solos.


U2, “Doctor Doctor" (1991)

The ‘Achtung Baby’ outtake treads well-worn lovelorn territory for U2, which is perhaps why it never became a more complete song worthy of release. Amidst lyrics that seem to be temporary placeholders (one line sounds like, “Any wanna gotta manna wanna buy ya taking you down”), Bono asks a doctor for help with his broken heart. He may have wanted to see a speech therapist instead.


Steve Miller Band, “My Dark Hour” (1969)

With an assist from Paul McCartney, Steve Miller sings about going to see the doctor on this 1969 track from ‘Brave New World.’ But with mention of fortunes and voodoo, this doesn’t seem to be your run-of-the-mill family physician. In this case, he might not want what the doctor prescribed.


Fleetwood Mac, “Doctor Brown” (1968)

Back when Fleetwood Mac were still a blues-based band fronted by Peter Green, they covered this tune written by American blues musicians J.T. and Buster Brown. It’s neither a tribute to Christopher Lloyd's character from 'Back to the Future' nor the soda, but rather an excuse for the singer to express his lovemaking prowess. It’s apparently earned him a reputation because Green wants you to “ask any woman in my neighborhood.”



Paul Simon, “Allergies” (1983)

In 1983, Paul Simon’s soon-to-be wife Carrie Fisher inspired much of the songwriting on ‘Hearts and Bones,’ including lead single “Allergies.” In the gauzy song, rhymin’ Simon confesses, “my heart is allergic to the woman I love,” before repeatedly calling on a doctor to help with his imagined malady.


Motörhead, “Dr. Love” (2002)

A couple of decades after “I’m the Doctor,” the band was still focused on medical pursuits when Lemmy became “Dr. Love” on 2002’s ‘Hammered.’ This particular doctor – which may or may not be related to Gene Simmons’ doctor of the same name – is so good-hearted, he pays calls to strip clubs. Yeah, Lemmy’s “Dr. Love” and Gene’s “Dr. Love” are probably brothers.



Robert Palmer, “Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor Doctor)” (1979)

Like the Rascals before him, Robert Palmer scored a big hit with a cover version of a tune involving a doctor’s opinion about love. But unlike the ’60s band, Palmer (via songwriter Moon Martin) seems dismayed by his attachment to a lover. He beseeches the medical specialist in the song’s hook – “Doctor, doctor, give me the news” – before going forward with his own prognosis anyway.



Jackson Browne, “Doctor My Eyes” (1972)

Jackson Browne’s first big hit sounds buoyant with its soaring vocals and bouncing rhythm, but the lyrics display more complicated emotions. In the 1972 single, the singer-songwriter confesses to his doctor that he feels uncomfortably numb about the good and evil in the world, asking for an opinion about his condition.



Humble Pie, “I Don’t Need No Doctor” (1971)

Ray Charles was the first to refuse medical attention for his ailments in favor of the “sweet charm” of his companion, but the R&B legend’s advice has been repeated by many, including Humble Pie on their blistering 1971 cover of “I Don’t Need No Doctor.” Artists ranging from the Chocolate Watchband to W.A.S.P. to John Mayer to New Riders of the Purple Sage have been unified in their resistance to a second opinion.



Pink Floyd, “Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk" (1967)

The first Pink Floyd song written by bassist Roger Waters draws on two biblical proverbs, includes staccato, bizarre shouting (“Jesus bled! Pain is red!”) and a woozy psychedelic interlude. In the end, it turns out that music healed the ailing Waters, which he gleefully reveals to his doctor and encourages him to pass on the good word to his wife.



Whitesnake, “Medicine Man” (1979)

David Coverdale wants to be the expert you consult, ladies, if you have a very specific condition: “When you have a feeling inside that just can’t be denied, I will be your medicine man.” It’s not certain if the naked woman on the cover of 1978’s ‘Lovehunter’ was so uncertain of the singer’s boasts that she chose to straddle a gruesome snake instead.



The Who, “Doctor, Doctor” (1967)

Townshend’s bandmate John Entwistle also wrote about his medical frustrations in this 1967 b-side to “Pictures of Lily.” In the song, the falsetto-voiced protagonist seems to be a hypochondriac, who’s got “every sickness there is to be had.” But before he hears the doctor out, he declares himself too ill to learn the bad news.



Motörhead, “Doctor Rock” (1986)

Lemmy doesn’t just have degrees in overkill and sex, he also apparently received his doctorate in rocking hard. He sings the glories of the power and speed of rock before asking for payment and revealing, “I ain’t no doctor of philosophy” (just in case you were confused by the man who named this album ‘Orgasmatron’).



Blue Öyster Cult, “Dr. Music” (1979)

If Blue Öyster Cult’s Eric Bloom didn’t reveal his identity in this song, you wouldn’t be wrong for mistaking him for a serial killer (sample lyric: “Ah, my babe, tell me that you’re scared / But your fear is just driving me mad”). But don’t worry, music is not just his name, it’s also his game – or so he tells us in the chorus. Apparently, writing more creative rhyming lines than that is not his game.



Little Feat, “Rock & Roll Doctor” (1974)

The funky opener to Little Feat’s ‘Feats Don’t Fail Me Now” finds Lowell George explaining the multiple medicinal benefits of not just rock, but all of the styles of music that helped create it. “Two degrees in bebop, a PhD in swing,” George sings, “He’s the master of rhythm, he’s a rock and roll king.”



Randy Newman, “Back on My Feet Again” (1974)

The songwriting great weaves threads about race and class through this gentle groove of a song that features Randy Newman as a patient addressing (and insulting) a doctor. After the singer tells his attending physician a strange story about his sister and her deceptive lover, Newman turns back to practical matters. Apparently institutionalized, he pleads to be let out, because, “Everybody’s so far away.”



The Velvet Underground, “Lady Godiva’s Operation” (1968)

Put simply, the third track from ‘White Light/White Heat’ is about a lobotomy surgery gone terribly wrong. But the song, with parts sung by both John Cale and Lou Reed, is more complicated and troubling than that, with the subject being a transsexual whom society (represented by the doctor “with knife and baggage”) is attempting to “rescue” with a procedure. Lady Godiva ends up motionless on the operating table.


Megadeth, “The Doctor Is Calling” (1999)

Dave Mustaine said this song, from 1999’s ‘Risk,’ is about being driven mad by family – hence the couplet, “The family crest is falling / The doctor is calling.” Sonically, it seems like something straight from Alice Cooper’s nightmares, including the plaintive voice of a child and a sinister doctor who declares his patient “stark raving mad.”



UFO, “Doctor Doctor" (1974)

Why is it that musicians feel the need to address their doctor twice? Is this a symptom of a more serious problem? On this track from 1974, UFO repeat the title, as well as the motif of looking to a medical professional for assistance with matters of the heart. The song became a trademark among certain heavy metal bands – including Iron Maiden, who’ve covered the song and play UFO’s version before performances.


Harry Nilsson, “Coconut" (1971)

Nilsson’s early ’70s novelty hit with a calypso rhythm never changes chords, but appears to go in circles. To summarize: Brother and sister buy a lime and a coconut, she makes a drink out of both of the fruits, gets a bellyache and then calls the doctor in the middle of the night for advice. He recommends that she drink the concoction again and call him again in the morning. All that time in medical school obviously paid off.



The Replacements, “Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out” (1984)

If you have a phobia of doctors or surgery, a song with a chorus of “Rip, rip, we’re gonna rip ’em out now” isn’t probably the best one to hear before a procedure. The track from 1984’s ‘Let it Be’ is a punky goof on bassist Tommy Stinson’s tonsillectomy. Hopefully, Tommy’s real-life physician was better than his portrayal: “Let’s get this over with, I tee off in an hour / Didn’t wash up, yesterday I took a shower.”



Blue Cheer, “Doctor Please” (1968)

On this track from the heavy metal pioneers’ 1968 debut album, bassist-singer Dickie Peterson pleads with his doctor to give him a “good living shot inside of me.” Given Peterson’s frenzied vocals, we can guess that he’s probably not asking for a routine round of antibiotics.



Rick Springfield, “Bruce" (1984)

Rick Springfield is not a doctor, but he played one on TV. In the early ’80s (and again from 2005-13), he was Dr. Noah Drake on the soap opera ‘General Hospital.’ Before that, he was more concerned with being mistaken for fellow rocker Bruce Springsteen, writing a song about the case of mistaken identity in the late ’70s – though it was re-released in 1984. In the first line of “Bruce,” he seeks a physician’s help for the situation (“Doctor, doctor, you gotta help me”), which might test the limits of the medical profession.



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