I Ain't Got Nobody
Count Basie & His Octet Lyrics

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Now I, ain't got nobody, nobody cares for me
And I'm so sad and lonely
Won't somebody take a chance with me

I'll sing sweet love songs, honey, all the time
If you'll come and be my sweet baby, mine
I ain't got nobody, nobody cares for me

I ain't got nobody, nobody much
Nobody cares for me
I'm so sad and lonely, because I'm homely
Won't somebody take a chance with me

I'll sing sweet love songs, honey, all of the time

If you'll come and be my sweet baby, mine
I ain't got nobody, nobody cares for me

Overall Meaning

Count Basie's rendition of "I Ain't Got Nobody" is a melancholic love ballad where the singer expresses his loneliness and longing for a romantic partnership. The opening verse states that the singer is alone and that nobody cares for him, which causes him to feel sad and lonely. He then proceeds to beckon for someone to take a chance and be with him, promising to sing sweet love songs to them all the time if they do.

The second verse repeats the same sentiment as before, with the singer expressing how nobody much cares for him. He then laments that his physical appearance might be the reason why he is alone, referring to himself as "homely." The stanza ends with another plea for someone to take a chance with him, reiterating the promise to serenade them with sweet love songs.

Overall, the song captures the despair and hopelessness of loneliness, while also hinting at the possibility of love and companionship, which could bring warmth and joy to the singer's life.

Line by Line Meaning

Now I ain't got nobody, nobody cares for me
I am currently alone and have nobody in my life who cares about me

And I'm so sad and lonely
This lack of companionship is causing me to feel deep sadness and loneliness

Won't somebody take a chance with me
I am yearning for someone to give me a chance and invest in a relationship with me

I'll sing sweet love songs, honey, all the time
If someone does give me a chance, I will express my love and affection through serenading them with sweet songs

If you'll come and be my sweet baby, mine
I am expressing a desire for a significant other to be in my life and be my beloved partner

I ain't got nobody, nobody cares for me
Reiterating my current state of loneliness and lack of companionship

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Roger Graham, Spencer Williams

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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