Comprised of "three like minded and cautiously optimistic gentlemen out to create and build songs culled from years of self-induced isolationism, sexual regret, and audio experimentation", Electro Group teamed up with local Sacramento imprint Omnibus Records (The Shins, Mates of State, Flake Music) to issue their 2001 debut, A New Pacifica. Its tracks surfaced on more than a few tastemaking college and community radio stations, and even made it to the playlist of legendary BBC DJ John Peel. A slew of compilation appearances and side projects followed: Electro Group recorded a series of split 7-inches, teamed up with Pavement cofounder Gary Young for a cover of Sonic Youth's "100%," and bassist Ian Hernandez formed Holy Smokes with Pinback's Rob Crow and Hella's Zach Hill. Live appearances with Sleater-Kinney, Quasi and The Swords Project followed, as did a tour of the UK, and their next studio venture, the 2004 seven-track mini-album Ummo. With their second proper full-length, Good Technology, Electro Group had to destroy their conceptions of not only music, but modern life in general, and reconstruct them from square one. While A New Pacifica explored a utopian society in the aftermath of California falling into the sea and Ummo queried, "Are we alone in the universe?," Good Technology finds Electro Group in a deconstructionalist mindset. As Hernandez reveals, "Good Technology exhibits the natural songwriting and recording progression exhibited in our previous selfrecorded endeavors. Since those releases, a better understanding of multi-track recording and those techniques associated with the capture of and replication of those sounds on audio disk, helped provide a stronger foundation for the new record while still retaining those familiar audio properties." It's a rapidly changing world we live in, and the futuristic, guitar-driven fuzz-pop of Good Technology provides an ideal soundtrack for it. What more lies ahead? As guitarist/vocalist Tim Jacobson summarizes, "Great quality." Not to mention good technology.
Nobody Knows
Electro Group Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
The song "Nobody Knows" by Electro Group talks about the sudden downfall of a man who used to live the luxurious life of a millionaire. He spent money carelessly and used to take his friends for a good time, buying bootleg liquor, champagne, and wine. But suddenly, he fell so low that he had no friend and nowhere to go, and he found himself without a penny in his pocket. The man hopes that if he ever gets his hands on a dollar again, he will hold onto it tightly to avoid going down again.
The chorus of the song repeats, "Nobody knows you when you're down and out." The lyrics emphasize the sudden change in people's behavior towards the man when he was no longer rich. No one seemed to care about him, and he had no friends to turn to. The lyrics explain the feeling of loneliness that comes with going through hard times.
This song is a poignant reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in life. People may be with you through good times, but they may abandon you when things take a turn for the worse. The song offers a sobering lesson about friendship and loyalty, or the lack thereof, when a person finds themselves in dire straits.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I lived the life of a millionaire
At one point, I was living extravagantly without any regard for how much money I was spending.
Spending my money, I didn't care
I had no care about how much money I was expending.
I carried my friends out for a good time
I would have no problems paying for my friend's fun evening outs.
Buying bootleg liquor, champagne and wine
I would splash out on expensive drinks, including ones that weren't necessarily legal.
Then I began to fall so low
However, things took a turn and I lost most of my wealth.
I didn't have a friend, and no place to go
I ended up having nowhere to seek refuge nor anyone to pledge their support.
So if I ever get my hand on a dollar again
If the opportunity presents itself for me to get finances again,
I'm gonna hold on to it till them eagle's green
I won't squander this chance and make sure I am careful with my expenditures.
Nobody knows you when you down and out
The true loyalty and support of people are tested when one is deprived of their wealth or status.
In my pocket not one penny
Currently, I don't have any money at all in my possession.
And my friends I haven't any
At the moment, there's no person I can consider as my friend or confidant.
But If I ever get on my feet again
But if I can get myself together once more,
Then I'll meet my long lost friend
I'll track down my long-time friends once more, whom I've been separated from due to unfortunate events.
It's mighty strange, without a doubt
It's amusing how quickly relationships get abandoned when things aren't going well.
Mmmmmmmm, when you're down and out
It's terrible to be in a position where one has no money nor support of those around them.
Mmmmmmmm, not one penny
Having a total sum of zero currency is exceptionally demoralizing.
Mmmmmmmm, well, I felt so low
I have hit rock bottom and have no hope for the future.
Nobody wants me round their door
No individual is willing to offer me any assistance or moral support, even if it's in small ways.
Mmmmmmmm, without a doubt,
It's evident and emphatic that
No man can use you wen you down and out
No person uses a person who is depressed, feeling useless or has lost all they own to make meaning for themselves.
I mean when you down and out
It's a depressing experience to be without money or essential support, which few can comprehend fully.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: JAMES ANDREW DENHAM, NIKOLAJ JUEL CHRISTIANSEN, LUKE BULLEN, MARK RICHARD ASTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind