Nobody Knows My Name
Rickie Lee Jones Lyrics


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For a thousand years
I've lay upon the Lake Victoria
I was winged and many colored
And nobody knew my name

For a thousand years
I fell out of the sand into Guadeloupe
And I made many songs into the air
And nobody knew my name

I fell like water in sweet gasps of hydrogen
Up the sea over Bikini Islands and I
Dove into liquid concrete of sweet silver lake
The liquid concrete of down by the river
And nobody knew my name

Now, I walk among them and I sing to them
And I open up my wrists and nobody knows my name
And I translate into many hours of history
But nobody knows my name
I stood in the four winds, I stood in the four winds
I stood in the four winds but nobody knows my name

So I walk again, yeah, I walk every night
So I walk again, I look at you, sweet every face

Do you know my name
Do you, do you know my name
Do you know my name
Do you know my name

Say it, do you know my name
Say it, do you know my name




Do you know my name, do you know my
Do you know my name, do you know my, my

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the song "Nobody Knows My Name" by Rickie Lee Jones are a complex and enigmatic exploration of identity and the human experience. Throughout the song, the singer describes various transformations and journeys they have undergone, but despite all of these experiences, nobody knows their name.


The first stanza describes the singer's existence for a thousand years, during which they were winged and many colored, yet nobody knew their name. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the countless lives that have gone unnoticed and unacknowledged throughout history, highlighting the fleeting and transient nature of human existence.


The second stanza speaks to the many songs the singer made into the air after falling into Guadeloupe, yet again, nobody knew their name. The third stanza describes the singer's journey, falling like water and diving into liquid concrete, and emphasizes the same theme of obscurity and anonymity despite their presence and existence in the world.


Finally, in the last stanza, the singer walks among people, singing to them and opening up their wrists, but still, nobody knows their name. The repeated phrase "Do you know my name" emphasizes the desire for recognition and acknowledgment, for the singer to be seen and heard, but ultimately questioning whether it even matters in the grand scheme of things.


Overall, the lyrics to "Nobody Knows My Name" are open to interpretation, but they seem to invite reflection on the value of individual identity and the impact we make on the world, even if we remain unknown.


Line by Line Meaning

For a thousand years
For an impossibly long span of time


I've lay upon the Lake Victoria
I resided on the shores of Lake Victoria


I was winged and many colored
I possessed unique qualities and was vividly diverse


And nobody knew my name
Yet I remained a mystery to everyone


I fell out of the sand into Guadeloupe
I originated from the sand and emerged in Guadeloupe


And I made many songs into the air
I expressed myself through my music


Now, I walk among them and I sing to them
Presently, I interact with society and share my musical artistry


And I open up my wrists and nobody knows my name
Despite revealing a vulnerability, I still remain unfamiliar to others


And I translate into many hours of history
My existence and influence span across generations


But nobody knows my name
Yet recognition eludes me


I stood in the four winds, I stood in the four winds
I stood steadfast in the face of change and uncertainty


So I walk again, yeah, I walk every night
I continue to persevere, despite challenges and obstacles


Do you know my name
I question if my identity is known by others


Say it, do you know my name
I am insistent on receiving recognition from those around me


Do you know my name, do you know my
I continue to inquire if my name and legacy is acknowledged




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bernard Frank Larsen, Peter Carl Atanasoff, Rickie Lee Jones

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Felice Marie Berkley


on It Must Be Love

One of my fav. songs..!

Felice Marie Berkley


on Comin' Back To Me

Very pretty song.