NOBODY BUT YOU
John Cale & Lou Reed/John Cale & Lou Reed Lyrics


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I really care a lot
although I look like I do not
Since I was shot
there's nobody but you

I know I look blase
Party Andy's what the papers say
At dinner I'm the one who pays
for a nobody like you

Nobody but you
a nobody like you
Since I got shot
there's nobody but you

Won't you decorate my house
I'll sit there quiet as a mouse
You know me I like to look a lot
at nobody but you

I'll hold your hand and slap my face
I'll tickle you to your disgrace
Won't you put me in my proper place
a nobody like you

Sundays I pray a lot
I'd like to wind you up and paint your clock
I want to be what I am not
for a nobody like you

The bullet split my spleen and lung
the doctors said I was gone
Inside I've got some shattered bone
for nobody but you

Nobody but you
a nobody like you
Shattered bone
for nobody but you

I'm still not sure I didn't die
and if I'm dreaming I still have bad pains inside
I know I'll never be a bride
to nobody like you

I wish I had a stronger chin
my skin was good, my nose was thin
This is no movie I'd ask to be in
with a nobody like you

Nobody like you
a nobody like you
All my life





It's been nobodies like you

Overall Meaning

In "Nobody But You," John Cale and Lou Reed sing about a love that transcends physical appearance and societal expectations, suggesting that the shooter who injured the singer may have inadvertently led them to the person they truly love. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability, with the singer admitting that they may not look like they care, but they truly do. The chorus repeats the phrase "nobody but you," emphasizing the uniqueness of the connection between the singer and their beloved.


In the verses, the singer contrasts their public persona with their private feelings, noting that the media has labeled them blasé when in reality, they are deeply affected by their injury. They express a desire to be close to their beloved, even if it means relinquishing their position of power and letting the other person "put [them] in [their] proper place." The closing lines touch on the singer's physical injuries and self-perceived flaws, but ultimately affirm that it's always been "nobodies like you" who have captured their heart.


Line by Line Meaning

I really care a lot
I have genuine emotions and feelings towards you.


although I look like I do not
Even though my appearance doesn't reflect my true feelings for you.


Since I was shot
Ever since I was wounded.


there's nobody but you
You're the only person I care about.


I know I look blase
I'm aware that I appear uninterested.


Party Andy's what the papers say
The media portrays me as a party animal.


At dinner I'm the one who pays
I foot the bill for meals.


for a nobody like you
Despite your unremarkable status.


Won't you decorate my house
Will you please adorn my home?


I'll sit there quiet as a mouse
I'll be silent and peaceful.


You know me I like to look a lot
I enjoy observing things.


at nobody but you
Specifically, I like to watch you.


I'll hold your hand and slap my face
I'll do silly things to make you laugh.


I'll tickle you to your disgrace
I'll tickle you until you're embarrassed.


Won't you put me in my proper place
Would you please tell me where I belong?


Sundays I pray a lot
On Sundays, I spend time in prayer.


I'd like to wind you up and paint your clock
I want to make you happy and care for you.


I want to be what I am not
I want to change for you.


the doctors said I was gone
The medical professionals believed I was dead.


Inside I've got some shattered bone
I'm physically hurt and damaged.


Shattered bone
My injuries are severe.


I'm still not sure I didn't die
I'm uncertain if I'm still alive.


and if I'm dreaming I still have bad pains inside
Even if this is all a dream, I still feel physical pain.


I know I'll never be a bride
I'm aware that I won't get married.


I wish I had a stronger chin
I desire to be more confident.


This is no movie I'd ask to be in
I don't want to be in this situation, like it's a film.


All my life
Throughout my existence.


It's been nobodies like you
I've only felt this way about unremarkable people like you.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
Written by: BLANCA REYES, MOLLY E. REED, JEFF PARDO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@SPLENDIDZEN

I really care a lot
although I look like I do not
Since I was shot
there's nobody but you
I know I look blase
Party Andy's what the papers say
At dinner I'm the one who pays
for a nobody like you
Nobody but you
a nobody like you
Since I got shot
there's nobody but you
Won't you decorate my house
I'll sit there quiet as a mouse
You know me I like to look a lot
at nobody but you
I'll hold your hand and slap my face
I'll tickle you to your disgrace
Won't you put me in my proper place
a nobody like you
Sundays I pray a lot
I'd like to wind you up and paint your clock
I want to be what I am not
for a nobody like you
The bullet split my spleen and lung
the doctors said I was gone
Inside I've got some shattered bone
for nobody but you
Nobody but you
a nobody like you
Shattered bone
for nobody but you
I'm still not sure I didn't die
and if I'm dreaming I still have bad pains inside
I know I'll never be a bride
to nobody like you
I wish I had a stronger chin
my skin was good, my nose was thin
This is no movie I'd ask to be in
with a nobody like you
Nobody like you
a nobody like you
All my life
It's been nobodies like you

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Blanca Reyes / Molly E. Reed / Jeff Pardo

Nobody but You lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Capitol Christian Music



@scotia7326

I really care a lot
Although I look like I do not
Since I was shot
There's nobody but you

I know I look blasé
Party Andy's what the papers say
At dinner I'm the one who pay
For a nobody like you

Nobody but you
Nobody like you
Since I got shot
There's nobody but you

Won't you decorate my house?
I'll sit there quiet as a mouse
You know me, I like to look a lot
At nobody but you

I'll hold your hand and slap my face
I'll tickle you, to your disgrace
Won't you put me in my proper place?
A nobody like you

Sundays I pray a lot
I like to wind you up and paint your clock
I want to be what I am not
For a nobody like you

The bullet split my spleen and lung
The doctor said that I was gone
Inside I've got some shattered bone
For nobody but you

Nobody but you
Nobody like you
Shattered bone
For nobody but you

I'm still not sure I didn't die
And if I'm dreaming I still have bad pains inside
I know I'll never be a bride, to nobody like you
I wish I had a stronger chin
My skin was good, my nose was thin
This is no movie I'd ask to be in
With a nobody like you

Nobody like you
A nobody like you
All my life, it's been nobodies like you



@scotia7326

I really care a lot
Although I look like I do not
Since I was shot
There’s been nobody but you.

I know I look blasé
“Party-Andes” is what the papers say
At dinner, I’m the one who pays
For nobody like you.

Nobody but you, nobody like you
Since I was shot, there’s nobody like you.

Won’t you decorate my house?
I’ll sit here, quiet as a mouse
You know me, I like to look a lot
At nobody but you.

I’ll hold your hand and slap my face
I’ll tickle you to your disgrace
Won’t you put me in my proper place?
Nobody like you

Some days I pray a lot
I’d like to wind you up, paint your clock
I want to be what I am not
For nobody but you

The bullets split my spleen and lung
The doctors said that I was gone
Inside I’ve got some shattered bone
For nobody but you

Nobody but you, nobody like you
Shattered bone for nobody but you

I’m still not sure I didn’t die
But I’m dreaming I still have bad pains inside
I know I’ll never be a bride
To nobody but you

I wish I had a stronger chin
My skin was good, my nose was thin
This is no movie I’d ask to be in
With a nobody like you

Nobody but you, a nobody like you
All my life, it’s been nobodies like you

~ For Andy Warhol



All comments from YouTube:

@bendream544

The album version has a brilliant guitar solo by Lou that only uses one note the whole solo and it is amazingly minimalist but is still fantastically emotional at the same time. Another Lou Reed piece that only Lou Reed could create. Sadly missed

@scotia7326

John Cale has one of the most handsome faces I’ve ever seen.

@fiercedragon0610

At this vid he did look pretty manly

@joeyg1052

For sure. ❤️

@ukulelelab4219

such a great song and performance

@paulaluiize

John and Lou, love you.

@ulrichwill496

I love this Man!!!❤️❤️🇨🇭

@guentherweiss4741

i am impressed

@ulrichwill496

💪💪💪❤️❤️❤️🇨🇭

@ramonrayaaranda2109

Pedazo de tema de estos dos genios!

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