Nobody Knows
Count Basie and His Orchestra & Jimmy Rushing 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 I'm gonna hold on to it till them eagle's green
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
The song "Nobody Knows" by Count Basie and His Orchestra & Jimmy Rushing speaks about the harsh reality of the world we live in, where people only show their true colors when you have money and everything seems fine. The first few lines speak of the luxurious life that the singer enjoyed as a millionaire, where he would spend money without any care and take his friends out for a good time, buying expensive liquor like champagne and wine. However, his life soon took a turn for the worse as he began to fall to such low levels where he found himself without any friends or a place to go.
The lyrics go on to say that if the singer ever gets his hands on a dollar again, he's going to hold on tight to it and not let go until it turns into green eagles (money). The chorus of the song emphasizes the overall theme, saying that nobody knows you when you are down and out. It highlights how people change their behavior towards you when you don't have money or any other social status like fame. The second half of the song is more somber as the singer talks about how he doesn't have any money or friends, and nobody wants him around their door. He concludes that no man can use you when you're down and out, reiterating how true and harsh the world can be.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I lived the life of a millionaire
In the past, I had a lot of money and I lived a luxurious life.
Spending my money, I didn't care
I didn't care how much money I spent because I had so much of it.
I carried my friends out for a good time
I used to treat my friends to a good time because I had the money to do so.
Buying bootleg liquor, champagne and wine
I would buy illegal alcohol and expensive drinks for myself and my friends.
Then I began to fall so low
But then my situation changed for the worse.
I didn't have a friend, and no place to go
I lost all my friends and had nowhere to go.
So if I ever get my hand on a dollar again
If I ever have money again...
I'm gonna hold on to it till them eagle's green
...I will hold onto it tightly and not spend it thoughtlessly like I did before.
Nobody knows you when you down and out
No one wants to know you or help you when you're broke.
In my pocket not one penny
I have no money left in my pocket.
And my friends I haven't any
I no longer have any friends who care about me.
But If I ever get on my feet again
However, if I ever become successful again...
Then I'll meet my long lost friend
...I will be reunited with my old friends.
It's mighty strange, without a doubt
It's strange to see how my situation changed so drastically.
Mmmmmmmm, when you're down and out
When you're broke and alone...
Mmmmmmmm, not one penny
...you don't have any money at all.
Mmmmmmmm, well I felt so low
I felt very depressed and helpless.
Nobody wants me round their door
No one wants to invite me into their homes or spend time with me.
Mmmmmmmm, without a doubt,
Without a doubt...
No man can use you wen you down and out
...people will not take advantage of you when you're poor and helpless.
I mean when you down and out
I'm referring to the experience of being poor and alone.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: JAMES ANDREW DENHAM, NIKOLAJ JUEL CHRISTIANSEN, LUKE BULLEN, MARK RICHARD ASTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind