Known as "Van the Man" by his fans, Morrison first rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Northern Irish band Them, writing their 1964 hit "Gloria". A few years later, Morrison left the band for a successful solo career, starting with the album Astral Weeks.
Morrison has pursued an idiosyncratic musical path. Much of his music is tightly structured around the conventions of American soul and R&B, such as the popular singles "Brown Eyed Girl", "Moondance", "Domino", and "Wild Night". An equal part of his catalogue consists of lengthy, loosely connected, spiritually inspired musical journeys that show the influence of Celtic tradition, jazz, and stream-of-consciousness narrative, such as his classic album Astral Weeks and lesser known works such as Veedon Fleece and Common One. The two strains together are sometimes referred to as "Celtic Soul," and Morrison rejects the characterization of his genre of music as Rock, citing Elvis Presley as a non-influence.
He continues to perform regularly and achieved his highest U.S. chart position (number ten on the Billboard 200) with his 2008 album, Keep It Simple.
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spent all my money, I just did not care
Took all my friends out for a good time
Bought bootleg whiskey, champagne and wine
Then I began to fall so low
Lost all my good friends
I did not have nowhere to go
I'm gonna hang on to it till that eagle grins
’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
In Van Morrison's song "When You're Smiling," the lyrics paint a vivid picture of the singer's experience of wealth, loss, and the fleeting nature of friendships. The song begins with the singer recalling a time when they lived a lavish life as a millionaire, spending money carelessly and treating their friends to extravagant experiences. However, this lifestyle eventually takes a toll on the singer, leading them to hit rock bottom.
The second verse expresses the loneliness and isolation the singer experiences when they lose all their wealth and find themselves without any true friends who stand by their side. They reflect on the harsh reality of having no money in their pocket and no one to turn to for support. The lyrics suggest a sense of bitterness and resignation, with the singer vowing to hold onto any money they come across until they are assured of their financial stability.
The chorus, "’Cause no, no, nobody knows you, when you're down and out," emphasizes the poignant theme of the song. It highlights the fickle nature of people's friendships, as they tend to distance themselves from someone who has fallen on hard times. The lyrics express the irony of how, once the singer regains their prosperity and stands on their own feet again, suddenly everyone wants to be their friend once more, pretending to be the "good old long-lost friend."
Overall, "When You're Smiling" is a contemplative and melancholic song that reflects on the fragility of material wealth and the transitory nature of friendships. It serves as a reminder to value genuine connections beyond temporary circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I lived the life of a millionaire
There was a time when I had immense wealth and lived a lavish lifestyle
Spent all my money, I just did not care
I wasted my fortune without any concern or thought
Took all my friends out for a good time
I treated my friends to extravagant and enjoyable experiences
Bought bootleg whiskey, champagne and wine
I indulged in purchasing illegal alcohol as well as luxurious drinks
Then I began to fall so low
Eventually, my circumstances drastically declined
Lost all my good friends
I lost the companionship and support of my true friends
I did not have nowhere to go
I found myself without a place to turn to
I get my hands on a dollar again
If I manage to acquire even a single dollar once more
I'm gonna hang on to it till that eagle grins
I will hold onto it tightly until I can regain my financial stability
’Cause no, no, nobody knows you
Because, no, nobody truly understands or recognizes you
When you're down and out
When you are in a state of hardship and destitution
In your pocket, not one penny
Without a single penny in your possession
And as for friends, you don't have any
Regarding friends, you are left without any
When you finally get back up
When you eventually manage to recover
On your feet again
Regaining stability and strength
Everybody wants to be your
Everyone desires to become
Old long-lost friend
Your dear, old friend who was once forgotten or lost
Said it’s mighty strange, without a doubt
It is indeed extremely peculiar, without any uncertainty
Nobody knows you when you're down and out
No one truly understands or recognizes you when you face adversity
When you finally get back
After successfully recovering
Upon your feet again
Regaining stability and strength once more
Everybody wants to be your
Everyone desires to become
Good old long-lost friend
Your loyal, old friend who was once forgotten or lost
Said it's mighty strange nobody knows you
It is truly astonishing that nobody truly understands or recognizes you
Nobody knows you
No one truly understands or recognizes you
Nobody knows you when you're down and out
No one truly understands or recognizes you when you face adversity
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jimmy Cox
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Benn
WOW
Wonderful music from the master Van Morrison.
What a musical genius he is.
From a 72yo Aussie fan.
Woolhall
love it
neruda4paz
Story of the world right now... everybody's talking but nobody really knows.
Bettie Mccall
Awesome!!!!
juha vesanen
❤️❤️❤️
M. Golden
Wow...again.