As a pianist, he had a distinctive and influential style (the song title "Splanky" is an onomatopoetic reference to the sound of his playing), equally at home in the barrelhouse and the concert hall. Willie "The Lion" Smith, James P. Johnson, and Fats Waller were among his influences.
As a bandleader, he created an organization (built upon the remains of Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra) that was a favorite both of dancers and of vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and, of course, Billie Holiday. Equally important, it kept many musicians employed through lean years. Many jazz musicians of note built their chops and earned their bread and butter in Basie's organization.
In addition to Basie, the swinging "All American Rhythm Section" of his orchestra included greats such as Walter Page (bass), Jo Jones (drums), and Freddie Green (guitar). It was the greatest, most swinging rhythm sections in the history of jazz. Chief among its vocalists were, first, Jimmy Rushing and, later, Joe Williams. Over the years it boasted sidemen and soloists like Herschel Evans (tenor sax), Lester Young (tenor sax), Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (tenor sax), Buddy Tate (tenor sax), Illinois Jacquet (tenor sax), Earle Warren (alto sax), Jack Washington (alto & baritone sax), Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet), Buck Clayton (trumpet), Thad Jones (trumpet), Snooky Young (trumpet), Benny Morton (trombone), Benny Powell (trombone), and Dicky Wells (trombone).
Basie also collaborated with artists such as Zoot Sims and Oscar Peterson, and recorded with ensembles large and small, including the Count Basie Trio, the Count Basie Sextet, and the Kansas City Seven. Notable arrangers included Eddie Durham (who helped shape the Basie Orchestra's sound) and Neal Hefti.
Nobody knows
Count Basie Lyrics
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Spending my money, I didn't care
I carried my friends out for a good time
Buying bootleg liquor, champagne and wine
Then I began to fall so low
I didn't have a friend, and no place to go
So if I ever get my hand on a dollar again
Nobody knows you when you down and out
In my pocket not one penny
And my friends I haven't any
But If I ever get on my feet again
Then I'll meet my long lost friend
It's mighty strange, without a doubt
Nobody knows you when you down and out
I mean when you down and out
Mmmmmmmm, when you're down and out
Mmmmmmmm, not one penny
And my friends I haven't any
Mmmmmmmm, well I felt so low
Nobody wants me round their door
Mmmmmmmm, without a doubt,
No man can use you wen you down and out
I mean when you down and out
Count Basie's song, "Nobody knows," tells the story of a once-wealthy man who blows his fortune on luxurious things for himself and his friends. However, the narrative takes a plunge when the singer loses all his wealth and friends. He is left alone, penniless, and without a place to go. The lyrics touch on the theme of how financial status can influence the way people treat each other, and how fickle friendships based on material things can be.
The song also highlights the desolate feeling that comes with falling from grace, as the singer feels like nobody wants to be around him once he's lost his wealth. His once-loyal friends, who would have swarmed around him when he had money, have all vanished into thin air, and now he's left alone, struggling to make ends meet. The lyrics convey the struggles of people who are down on their luck, those who, despite their best efforts, have lost everything and are struggling to get back on their feet. Ultimately, the song is a tale of hope that if he ever gets his hands on money again, he won't make the same mistakes and will hold onto it until the end.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I lived the life of a millionaire
I used to live extravagantly, spending freely without a care.
Spending my money, I didn't care
I used to spend my money without any concern or worry.
I carried my friends out for a good time Buying bootleg liquor, champagne and wine
I used to treat my friends to expensive outings and buy them expensive drinks, including illegal alcohol.
Then I began to fall so low
But then my circumstances changed, and I started to experience poverty.
I didn't have a friend, and no place to go
I lost all my friends and had nowhere to turn.
So if I ever get my hand on a dollar again I'm gonna hold on to it till them eagle's green
If I ever come into money again, I will save and hold on to it carefully.
Nobody knows you when you down and out
When you are poor and desperate, nobody is there for you.
In my pocket not one penny And my friends I haven't any
I have no money and no friends to turn to.
But If I ever get on my feet again Then I'll meet my long lost friend
If I am able to overcome my poverty, I will be reunited with my old friends.
It's mighty strange, without a doubt
It is surprising and unfortunate how quickly people abandon you in times of hardship.
Mmmmmmmm, when you're down and out Mmmmmmmm, not one penny And my friends I haven't any
When you are at your lowest, you have no money or friends to help you.
Mmmmmmmm, well I felt so low Nobody wants me round their door
I was so low that nobody wanted anything to do with me.
Mmmmmmmm, without a doubt, No man can use you wen you down and out I mean when you down and out
When you are poor and desperate, nobody wants anything to do with you or can benefit from you in any way.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES ANDREW DENHAM, NIKOLAJ JUEL CHRISTIANSEN, LUKE BULLEN, MARK RICHARD ASTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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