Nobody But You
Lou Reed / John Cale Lyrics

In Lou Reed and John Cale's song "Nobody But You," the singer appears to be a wealthy and bored socialite who has been shot but narrowly survived. Despite his blasé demeanor, he admits to caring deeply, although he only has eyes for a specific person ("There's nobody but you"). The singer expresses wanting to be different for the person they desire, desiring to be a better person ("I wish I had a stronger chin, my skin was good, my nose was thin"), and depicts the other person as a "nobody" relative to his lifestyle. There is an implicit message that the singer desires to be less judgmental of other people's appearances and social status, conveying their vulnerability and desire for something more authentic.

The song holds many contrasts and ironies, manifesting in its repeated refrain, "Nobody but you / a nobody like you," and its blunt admission of the romantic feelings of its narrator. Reed and Cale's voices frequently interrupt each other, suggesting the internal conflict that the singer faces. The composition is purposely discordant, conveying an unease that fits the lyrics' theme perfectly. The song's disjointed rhythm and haunting melody convey the sense of disorientation and confusion that characterizes the singer's life, both after being shot and in his trivial, wealthy existence.

Facts about "Nobody But You":

* "Nobody But You" is a song by Lou Reed and John Cale, who first collaborated in the Velvet Underground, one of the most influential bands in history. It appears on their album Songs for Drella, released in 1990.
* The album is a tribute to Andy Warhol, their old friend, and collaborator, who died in 1987, and the album's songs narrate Warhol's life and career.
* "Nobody but You" is the only song on Songs for Drella that features Cale and Reed singing together. They had not collaborated since the breakup of the Velvet Underground in 1972.
* Reed initially rejected the idea of writing a song about Warhol, but later changed his mind. Cale had already begun writing sketches inspired by Warhol's life, and when Reed started writing lyrics, they decided to create an album together.
* According to Cale, the initial idea for "Nobody but You" came to him while he was travelling to London to attend Warhol's funeral. Cale was staying in a hotel and was too jet-lagged to do anything except think about Warhol and their friendship. He remembers thinking about how he missed Warhol's presence and how there was "nobody but him" who could replace him.
* Reed and Cale performed the album live in 1990 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The concert was filmed and released as a concert film, Songs for Drella: Live at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, in 2008.
* Rolling Stone magazine called Songs for Drella the 14th best album of the 1990s and praised the collaboration between Reed and Cale. They stated that "the Velvets themselves might never again be realized as clearly and movingly as they are in this project."
* "Nobody But You" is one of Reed's most vulnerable songs, underscoring his ability not just to rock but also to convey raw romantic feeling in his lyrics.
* The song was not initially released as a single, and while it has not become a classic song, it remains a cult favorite, appreciated for its unique sound and poignant lyrics.
* Some critics have labeled "Nobody but You" a queer love song as it details the connection between two men in a complex environment where appearances are of utmost importance.
* The song has a minimalist structure, with the melody consisting mostly of two notes, and the repetitive nature of the lyrics emphasizes the feeling of being isolated.

Chords: The chords for Nobody But You are C, F, and G.