Nobody Knows
Ashford feat. Simpson Lyrics
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Ashford & Simpson
Like a mask you wanna take off
Cause you're tired of living with it
Wishing someone else knew
Sorry no one's never new
And nobody sees the midnight eyes
Got a feeling only you know
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
Oh, I ain't got no magic mirror
Nobody knows the inside
That's why, that's why I can't get no nearer
Oh you ought a
Tell somebody, Tell somebody
Go on let it out,
You try to, tell somebody, tell somebody
We wanna 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 ohhh
Nobody knows the inside
Oh, that's where all your little secrets hide (secrets)
Nobody knows the inside
Maybe now, you got too much pride (too, too much)
Nobody knows the inside
I-I-I-I-I ain't got no magic mirror
Nobody knows the inside
That's why, that's why I can't get no nearer
Whoo!
Tell somebody, Tell somebody
Do it now, do it now, now right now,
You oughta
Tell somebody, tell somebody
Ah, ha! Scream and shout, your heart will feel good
Nobody knows the inside
Oh, that's where all your little secrets hide
Nobody knows the inside
Guess why, guess why?
You got too much pride (too much)
Nobody knows the inside
I, 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 is a soulful ballad about feeling unseen and unheard. The lyrics speak to the dissatisfaction of living with a persona that doesn't reflect one's true self and the longing for someone to see and understand the real person underneath. The repeated refrain of "nobody knows the inside" emphasizes the isolation that can come from wearing a mask and hiding one's true feelings and desires. The song acknowledges the fear of vulnerability and the risk of rejection that can come with revealing one's true self but also urges the listener to break through that fear and share their innermost thoughts and feelings with someone they trust.
The song's verses are filled with images of hiding in plain sight, feeling misunderstood and underestimated, and longing for authentic connection with others. The chorus urges the listener to share their innermost thoughts with someone they trust and to stop hiding behind a false front. The bridge encourages the listener to let go of their pride and speak their heart's truth, to trust that there is someone out there who will understand and appreciate them for who they really are.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a mask you wanna take off
You are wearing a mask that you no longer want to wear.
Cause you're tired of living with it
You are tired of pretending to be someone else.
Wishing someone else knew
You wish someone knew the real you.
Sorry no one's never new
Unfortunately, no one has ever known the true you.
And nobody sees the midnight eyes
No one sees the darkness in your eyes which represents your hidden feelings and emotions.
Nobody knows the sunny skies
No one knows the happy moments or good times you've had in life.
Got a feeling only you know
You have a feeling that only you can understand.
What a shame they have to waste it
It's unfortunate that no one is able to appreciate or understand your feeling.
Once before life was bitter
You had unpleasant experiences in the past.
Now you're so afraid to taste it
As a result, you are now afraid of experiencing anything that may cause you pain again.
Well, nobody knows about the little things
No one notices or cares about the small details or intricacies of your life.
Nobody knows what they really mean
No one understands the true significance or importance of those small things to you.
Nobody ever wants to take the time
No one is willing to invest the time to learn about or understand you.
To examine what's on your mind
No one cares enough to find out what's going on in your head.
In the street
Out in public where everyone can see you.
On a card you're a stand out
You are unique and different from others, hence you stand out.
How you feel they know nothing about
Others don't know how you truly feel inside.
But you want and you want to be wanted
You desire to be accepted and wanted by others.
You'd rather play hard to get instead
But you put up a front and act aloof to protect yourself from getting hurt.
That's where all your little secrets hide
Your secrets and true thoughts and feelings are kept hidden deep inside you.
Maybe you, you got too much pride
Perhaps your pride is keeping you from opening up and being vulnerable.
Oh, I ain't got no magic mirror
I can't read your mind or truly know what's going on inside you.
That's why, we can't get no nearer
This distance between us cannot be closed because of our lack of understanding of each other.
Writer(s): N ASHFORD, VALERIE SIMPSON
Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Elizabeth Mohapi
"Nobody knows the inside" indeed!! My favourite dynamic duo. Electrifying performance and on stage chemistry!! ❤️🇿🇦
AnnetteB Mcintee
GReatest Duet Couple Ever...... RIP Nick God’s Blessings Valarie 🙏🏾🥰
pineapple juice
People always looking at the good & glory part of the outside but they never take time to look at the rough part of the inside!!!!
Melody Sanger
Remembering Nickolas Ashford
(May 4, 1941 – August 22, 2011)
[05/04/2020]
LIZ DAWIZ
Ashford & Simpson - Nobody Knows (1982) "TELL SOMEBODY"
Melody Sanger
Remembering Nickolas "Nick" Ashford
(May 4, 1941 – August 22, 2011)
[08/22/2020]
Melody Sanger
REMEMBERING SINGER/SONGWRITER NICKOLAS "NiCK" ASHFORD
(May 4, 1941 - August 22, 2011)
(05/04/2021)
Carter Bostic
Black Jesus baby.... can I get a Amen?