I Ain't Got Nobody
Ella Fitzgerald and Chick Webb Lyrics


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There's been a sayin' goin' 'round
And I begin to think it's true
It's awful hard to love someone
When they don't care about you

Once I had a lovin' gal
The sweetest little thing in town
But now she's gone and left me
She done turn me down

Now I ain't got nobody, and nobody cares for me
That's why I'm sad and lonely
Won't somebody come and take a chance with me?

I'll sing you love songs, honey, all the time
If you'll only say you'll be sweet gal of mine
Oh, I ain't got nobody, nobody cares for me

I'll sing you love songs, honey, all the time




If you'll only say you'll be sweet gal of mine
Oh, I ain't got nobody, nobody cares for me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ella Fitzgerald and Chick Webb's song I Ain't Got Nobody express the profound feeling of loneliness and unrequited love. The song starts with a saying that implies that it's hard to love someone who doesn't reciprocate your feelings, which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics tell the story of a man who used to have a loving girlfriend, but she has now left him and turned him down, leaving him with nobody to love or care for him. The repetition of the phrase "Nobody cares for me" highlights the desperation and desolation of the singer, who longs for someone to take a chance with him and be his sweet gal.


The line "I'll sing you love songs, honey, all the time" shows that the singer is willing to do anything to win back the love and attention of his former girlfriend or anyone who would take a chance with him. However, the fact that he feels the need to offer love songs to someone who hasn't shown any interest in him indicates a deep sense of insecurity and neediness. Overall, the lyrics of I Ain't Got Nobody speak to the universal human longing for love and companionship, and the pain and despair that can come from its absence.


Line by Line Meaning

There's been a sayin' goin' 'round
A common phrase has been circulating


And I begin to think it's true
I am starting to believe it is accurate


It's awful hard to love someone
It is challenging to have affection for another person


When they don't care about you
Especially when they have no interest in you


Once I had a lovin' gal
I formerly had a very affectionate girlfriend


The sweetest little thing in town
She was the kindest and loveliest woman in our community


But now she's gone and left me
Unfortunately, she has departed from my life


She done turn me down
She had declined my advances


Now I ain't got nobody, and nobody cares for me
At present, I have no one, and no one takes me into consideration


That's why I'm sad and lonely
This is the reason I am melancholy and feel solitary


Won't somebody come and take a chance with me?
Is there anyone who would like to try their luck with me?


I'll sing you love songs, honey, all the time
I promise to sing romantic tunes to you frequently, dear


If you'll only say you'll be sweet gal of mine
If you would simply agree to be my affectionate partner


Oh, I ain't got nobody, nobody cares for me
Unfortunately, I still have no one, and no one thinks about me


I'll sing you love songs, honey, all the time
I will continue to serenade you with adoring melodies, my dear


If you'll only say you'll be sweet gal of mine
Just tell me that you will be my caring and loving partner, please


Oh, I ain't got nobody, nobody cares for me
Alas, I am still alone, and no one regards me




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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