An actress, singer, talk show host, and author, the multi-talented Reese first started singing in church in her hometown of Detroit when she was six years old. By the age of 13, she was touring with gospel great Mahalia Jackson; then, at 18, she formed the Meditation Singers and became the first performer to bring gospel music to the casinos of Las Vegas. Reese expanded her musical repertoire as a vocalist with the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra and began recording albums, with such hits as "Don't You Know" and "And That Reminds Me" in the 1950s. She appeared extensively as a guest on the top television variety series, logging more than 20 appearances in one year on The Ed Sullivan Show on the CBS Television Network. Reese was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best Female Soloist in Gospel Music in 1987.
Tapping into her other skills, she was host of a television talk show in 1969-1970, then began guest-starring in such series as Sanford and Son, The A-Team, Crazy Like a Fox and Picket Fences. She starred in the CBS Network series Charlie & Co. and The Royal Family. Reese's current projects include a new album based on her 27-city tour with her revue, "Some of My Best Friends Are the Blues," as well as song on the Touched By An Angel Soundtrack. Her best-selling autobiography, "Angels Along the Way," is published by G.P. Putnam's Sons. Reese also starred in the telefilms Emma's Wish, with Joanna Kerns, and The Secret Path, with Ossie Davis.
Nobody
Della Reese Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wonder why
Each night and day I pray the Lord up above
Please send me down somebody to love
But nobody wants me
I'm blue somehow
Won't someone hear my plea and take a chance with me
Nobody's baby
And I've got to know the reason why
Last week I was walking down the street and met a boy and I said
"Hey! Maybe I was meant for you"
But he only shook his head and said "Goodbye"
He kept on walking down the avenue
Nobody wants me
I'm mighty blue somehow
Won't someone hear my plea and take a chance with me
Because I'm nobody's baby now
The lyrics to Della Reese's "Nobody" are a reflection of a person's longing for love and companionship. From the first line of the song, "I'm nobody's baby," the listener immediately gets a sense of sadness and melancholy. The singer wonders why they are alone, praying for some sort of sign or intervention from a higher power. Each night and day they send out a plea to the universe, hoping for someone to come into their life and love them.
The second verse of the song tells the listener about a chance encounter the singer had with a boy on the street. They hoped that maybe this boy was the one they were meant to be with, but he didn't want anything to do with them. He was uninterested and cold, leaving the singer feeling rejected and hurt. This experience only intensified the loneliness they feel, left wondering why nobody wants them.
The chorus repeats the idea that the singer is nobody's baby, emphasizing the isolation they feel. They don't understand why they are living without love, which makes them blue and sad. The lyrics to this song are a poignant reminder that so many people feel alone and unwanted at some point in their lives, yearning for that one special person to come along and make them feel valued and loved.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm nobody's baby
I am not anyone's loved or cared-for person
I wonder why
I am curious as to why no one loves me
Each night and day I pray the Lord up above
Every day, I pray to God to help me find someone to love
Please send me down somebody to love
Please give me someone to love
But nobody wants me
However, nobody seems interested in me
I'm blue somehow
I feel sad and depressed for some reason
Won't someone hear my plea and take a chance with me
Is there anyone who will listen to my request and give me a chance?
Because I'm nobody's baby now
Because I am alone and unloved
And I've got to know the reason why
I need to understand why I am unloved
Last week I was walking down the street and met a boy and I said
The other day, I encountered a boy walking down the street and I talked to him
"Hey! Maybe I was meant for you"
"Hey, maybe we are meant to be together"
But he only shook his head and said "Goodbye"
However, he only told me farewell by shaking his head
He kept on walking down the avenue
He continued walking down the street
Nobody wants me
I feel like no one wants to be with me
I'm mighty blue somehow
I feel really down and sad for some reason
Won't someone hear my plea and take a chance with me
Isn't there anyone out there who will give me a chance?
Because I'm nobody's baby now
Because I feel so alone and unloved
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MILTON AGER, BENNY DAVIS, LESTER SANTLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DavidRichardson95
Ms. Reese was a pioneer and a trailblazer. Would love to see a biopic on her life one day.
@simonjester2053
Too right. Perfectly put.
@jeremiahgabriel5709
I know it's not the same thing, but she wrote an autobiography a number of years back you might want to read :)
@dddddadadad1796
Pick up a book. There are several out there about her
@earnestwayne638
My first time seeing Mrs. Lady Della sing this song 12/12/23 Wow! 💜
@RamardoTHunt
One of Ed's favorite vocalists, Della appeared on Ed Sullivan's show 22 times.
@cassdaley2652
And yet, there is only one posted so far... Dang it.
@RondTripp
Wow!
@sushicourier
What a powerhouse! Not pushed or forced, just natural power. 🥰
@withgoddess7164
I always loved Della Reese from my earliest years. She had such a big beautiful personality.