You Never Know
Eric Clapton / Jeff Beck Lyrics
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Spent all my money, I just did not care.
Took all my friends out for a good time,
Bought bootleg liquor, champagne and wine.
Then I began to fall so low,
Lost all my good friends, I did not have nowhere to go.
I get my hands on a dollar again,
'Cause no, no, nobody knows you
When you're down and out.
In your pocket, not one penny,
And as for friends, you don't have any.
When you finally get back up on your feet again,
Everybody wants to be your old long-lost friend.
Said it's mighty strange, without a doubt,
Nobody knows you when you're down and out.
When you finally get back upon your feet again,
Everybody wants to be your good old long-lost friend.
Said it's mighty strange,
Nobody knows you,
Nobody knows you,
Nobody knows you when you're down and out.
The song Nobody Knows You When You're Down & Out, written by Jimmy Cox in 1923 and popularized by Eric Clapton in 1970, tells the story of a man who used to live a lavish lifestyle as a millionaire but fell from grace and lost everything. The singer explains how he would spend his money without a care in the world, treating his friends to good times, buying bootleg liquor, champagne, and wine. However, as he began to lose his financial stability and fall into poverty, his friends abandoned him, leaving him alone and penniless.
The lyrics show a persona left alone when they hit rock bottom, when he needs his friends the most but all he finds is silence. Even when he rises again and finally gets back on his feet and regains his financial status, he discovers that people who shunned him before are looking for his friendship again. "Nobody knows you when you're down and out" is the powerful message the song conveys, indicating that people are often judged by their wealth and status rather than their character.
Overall, the song is a contemplative reflection on the transience of human relationships, the unpredictable nature of fate, and the importance of true friendship and loyalty.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I lived the life of a millionaire,
Back when I was rich, my spending knew no bounds
Spent all my money, I just did not care.
I was burning through cash left and right, without any regard for the future
Took all my friends out for a good time,
I treated my friends to extravagant experiences
Bought bootleg liquor, champagne and wine.
I spared no expense when it came to my drinking habits
Then I began to fall so low,
But things took a turn for the worse
Lost all my good friends, I did not have nowhere to go.
I lost everything and everyone, and had nowhere to turn
I get my hands on a dollar again,
But if I ever got any money again
I'm gonna hang on to it till that eagle grins.
I would make sure to hold onto every penny, no matter what
'Cause no, no, nobody knows you
Because the truth is, when you're in that situation
When you're down and out.
Nobody wants anything to do with you
In your pocket, not one penny,
You are completely broke
And as for friends, you don't have any.
And even your closest friends have abandoned you
When you finally get back up on your feet again,
But if, by some miracle,
Everybody wants to be your old long-lost friend.
You suddenly become wealthy again, everyone wants to be your friend
Said it's mighty strange, without a doubt,
It's a strange phenomenon, but it's true
Nobody knows you when you're down and out.
Nobody truly knows you when you're at your lowest point
When you finally get back upon your feet again,
And as soon as you have money again
Everybody wants to be your good old long-lost friend.
Everyone suddenly wants to be your best friend again
Said it's mighty strange,
It's a strange and unsettling reality
Nobody knows you,
Because true friendship is not based on money
Nobody knows you,
And those who only care about you for your wealth are not true friends
Nobody knows you when you're down and out.
The only ones who will stand by you in hard times are true friends
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jimmy Cox
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian Herrington
I was there down front totally mesmerized and when Eric's break came I wasn't expecting it I was like Holy Shit! bad ass run's, Doyle is my favorite of all the newer younger guns of the last ten years or so Jeff is...well words can't describe how awesome Jeff Beck is...Hi Ho Silver Lining that's where it's at!!
RawLu
SRV, Clapton, Pink Floyd etc. don't ask you to play with them for no good reason... Doyle Bramhall II Best Blues Guitarist of today IMO ;-)
Robin Lull
+Brian Herrington and Steve Gadd on drums, with Nathan East on bass. What a great line up! Big love to Doyle of course!
Philip Harrauer
Doyel's part is so cool!!
ASRSN8
Doyle *
Karen Holliday
Incredible and beautiful music from these amazing artists
Karen Holliday
Clapton is still the best hands down period. I've watched, listened, and seen Doyle so many times and love him as he represents true Texas rock. Page is also extremely good. I love how he plays with no words but still tells a story..Joe Satriani can as well
Bernardo Franchini
Três deuses da guitarra
Frank Richards
That is an incredible rendition of that tune...i dont think Beck disses Doyle...just hugging his friend of 50 some years....not sure how well he would even know Bramhall.
screwmaster404
Maestro Jeff Beck!