“Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” is a blues standard written by pianist Jimmie Cox in 1923 and originally performed in a Vaudeville-blues style in the aftermath of the 1920–1921 U.S. economic depression. A later 1929 recording by Bessie Smith became popular during the early years of the Great Depression due to the lyrics highlighting the fleeting nature of material wealth and the friendships that come and go with it. Since Smith’s 1929 recording, the song has been interpreted by numerous musicians in a variety of styles.
The song is a moderate-tempo blues with ragtime-influences, which follows an eight-bar progression.
Early recordings
Although “Nobody Knows You When You Are Down and Out” was copyrighted in 1923, the first known publication did not appear until a recording of 1927. Blues and jazz musician Bobby Leecan, who recorded with various ensembles such as the South Street Trio, Dixie Jazzers Washboard Band, and Fats Waller’s Six Hot Babies, recorded “Nobody Needs You When You’re Down and Out” under the name “Blind Bobby Baker and his guitar”, with his vocal and guitar. His version, recorded in New York around June 1927, is credited on the record label to Bobby Leecan and has completely different lyrics from the popular 1929 version, with emphasis on being poor, including a verse about being cheated playing “The Numbers”.
Lyrics – Click to open
Once I lived a life of a millionaire
Spendin’ my money, I didn’t care
I carried my friends out for a good time
Buy bootleg liquor, champagne, and wine
When I begin to fall so low
I didn’t have a friend and no place to go
But if I ever get my hands on a dollar again
I’m gonna hold on to it ’til them eagles grin
Nobody knows you
When you down and out
In my pocket not one penny
And my friends, I haven’t any
But if I ever get on my feet again
And I’ll meet my long-lost friend
It’s mighty strange without a doubt
Nobody knows you when you down and out
I mean, when you down and out
iReal Chart – Click to Open
