As performers, their best-known song is "Solid" (1984 US and 1985 UK), although they have had many other hits, mostly on the R&B charts. Many of their songs have been recorded in hit versions by artists as diverse as Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and so many, many others.
Ashford and Simpson met at Harlem's White Rock Baptist Church in 1963. After having recorded unsuccessfully as a duo, they joined aspiring solo artist and former member of the Ikettes, Josie Jo Armstead, at the Scepter/Wand label where their compositions were recorded by Ronnie Milsap ("Never Had It So Good"), Maxine Brown ("One Step At A Time"), as well as the Shirelles and Chuck Jackson. Another of the trio's songs "Let's Go Get Stoned" gave Ray Charles a number one U.S. R&B hit in 1966. That same year Ashford & Simpson joined Motown where their best-known songs included "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "You're All I Need To Get By", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", and "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)".
The duo was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.
Nobody Knows
Ashford & Simpson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause you're tired of living with it
Wishing someone else knew
Sorry no one's never new
And nobody sees the midnight eyes
Nobody knows the sunny skies
What a shame they have to waste it
Once before life was bitter
Now you're so afraid to taste it
Well, nobody knows about the little things
Nobody knows what they really mean
Nobody ever wants to take the time
To examine what's on your mind
In the street, on a card you're a stand out
How you feel they know nothing about
But you want and you want to be wanted
You'd rather play hard to get instead
Nobody knows the inside
That's where all your little secrets hide
Nobody knows the inside
Maybe you, you got too much pride
And nobody knows the inside
I ain't got no magic mirror
Nobody knows the inside
That's why, that's why I can't get no nearer
You ought to tell somebody, tell somebody
Go on let it out,
You try to, tell somebody, tell somebody
We want to hear what it's all about
Try to, tell somebody, tell somebody
Go on and get it off, get it off your chest
Tell somebody, tell somebody before the Son of all this
Nobody knows the inside
That's where all your little secrets hide
Nobody knows the inside
Maybe now, you got too much pride
Nobody knows the inside
I ain't got no magic mirror
Nobody knows the inside
That's why, that's why I can't get no nearer
Tell somebody, Tell somebody
Do it now, do it now, now right now,
You ought to tell somebody, tell somebody
Scream and shout, your heart will feel good
Nobody knows the inside
That's where all your little secrets hide
Nobody knows the inside
Guess why, guess why? You got too much pride
Nobody knows the inside
I ain't got no magic mirror
Nobody knows the inside
That's why, we can't get no nearer
The song Nobody Knows by Ashford & Simpson explores the concept of feeling alone and misunderstood despite being constantly surrounded by people. The lyrics suggest that the singer is wearing a metaphorical mask in their daily life, pretending to be someone they are not, and feeling tired of it. They wish that someone else could understand them, but regretfully, no one ever has. The singer feels invisible, like nobody sees their true self or knows their real feelings. They have a feeling that only they know, but they believe it's a waste because nobody else acknowledges it.
The lyrics describe the singer's hesitation to embrace life's simple pleasures due to a past bitter experience. They are afraid to get hurt, so they keep their guard up constantly. They're frustrated that nobody seems to bother to understand their thoughts or what they're going through. The song portrays this universal feeling of loneliness that we can all experience at some point in our lives. The song encourages the singer to let their guard down and confide in someone about their innermost feelings to make their heart feel good.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a mask you wanna take off
You have a façade on that you want to remove.
Cause you're tired of living with it
You're exhausted from living with it.
Wishing someone else knew
You wish someone else knew.
Sorry no one's never new
Unfortunately, no one ever really knew.
And nobody sees the midnight eyes
No one can perceive the inner torment.
Nobody knows the sunny skies
No one comprehends the beautiful moments.
Got a feeling only you know
You have an intuition that only you feel.
What a shame they have to waste it
It's unfortunate that others can't appreciate it.
Once before life was bitter
Before, life was unpleasant.
Now you're so afraid to taste it
Now you're too scared to experience it again.
Well, nobody knows about the little things
No one is aware of the small details.
Nobody knows what they really mean
No one understands their true significance.
Nobody ever wants to take the time
No one is willing to take the time.
To examine what's on your mind
To explore what's bothering you.
In the street, on a card you're a stand out
You're a standout in the public eye.
How you feel they know nothing about
They have no idea how you truly feel.
But you want and you want to be wanted
Yet, you still want to feel loved and appreciated.
You'd rather play hard to get instead
You prefer to be elusive.
That's where all your little secrets hide
All your secrets are hidden inside.
Maybe you, you got too much pride
Perhaps, your pride is holding you back.
I ain't got no magic mirror
I don't have all the answers.
That's why, we can't get no nearer
That's why we can't get any closer.
Do it now, do it now, now right now,
Act on it now, without delay.
Scream and shout, your heart will feel good
Let it all out, and you'll feel better.
Guess why, guess why? You got too much pride
I suppose your pride is the root cause.
Contributed by Eva I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mrstanbmw
This song is so True one of the greatest song writing team ever.
@elizabethmohapi1265
"Nobody knows" how much I love this dynamic duo of Ashford and Simpson. My favourite hit songwriters and great singers in their own right. ❤️👌🏼🇿🇦
@robertlucas726
Heard this first at a popular disco in sf. It was my first time at the club and as I entered this was the first song playing. Thought I landed in heaven! Will always treasure this song and the memories of old school clubs.
@deanlewis2855
My favorite singing duo ever! Their musical and song writing talents are among the very best.
@hollidayevery
My favourite A&S song by A&S!!! Those multiple counter rhythms are nothing short of magnificent!
@coollasice4175
Their best song.
@bettymontoya784
A GOOD SONG.....HAVE A NICE DAY....
@bettymontoya784
Cool song.........
@bettymontoya784
Cool song.....
@quincycooper79
I ❤️ this song