Download the Chord/lyric sheet
“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. The lyrics in the popular 1929 recording by Bessie Smith are told from the point of view of somebody who was once wealthy during the Prohibition era and reflect on the fleeting nature of material wealth and the friendships that come and go with it. Since her 1929 recording, the song has been interpreted by numerous musicians in a variety of styles.
Nobody knows you
C |E7| A | A7 | Dm | A7 | Dm A7 | Dm |
F | D#dim7 | C | A7 | D7 | D7 | G7 | G7
C | E7 | A | A7
Once I Lived The Life Of A Millionaire
Dm | A7 | Dm A7 | Dm
Spent All My Money, I Didn’t Care
F | D#dim7 | C | A7
took all my friends out for a mighty good time
D7 | D7 | G7 | G7
bought bootleg liquor, champagne and wine
C | E7 | A | A7 | Dm | A7 | Dm A7 | Dm
then I began to fall so low lost all my good friends had nowhere to go
F | D#dim7 | C | A7 | D7 | D7 | G7 | G7
If I Get My Hands On A Dollar Again I’ll Hang On It ‘Till That Old Eagle Grins
C | E7 | A | A7 | Dm | A7 | Dm | Dm
Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
F D#dim7 C A7 D7 G7
In Your Pocket, Not One Penny And As For Friends, You Ain’t Got Any
C E7 A A7
When You Get Back On Your Feet Again
Dm A7 Dm A7 Dm
Everybody Wants To Be Your Long Lost Friend
F D#dim7 C A7
I Said It’s Strange Without Any Doubt
D7 G7
No one can use you When You’re Down And Out
C |E7| A | A7 | Dm | A7 | Dm A7 | Dm |
F | D#dim7 | C | A7 | D7 | D7 | G7 | G7
C E7 A A7 Dm A7 Dm
Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
F D#dim7 C A7 D7 G7
In Your Pocket, Not One Penny And As For Friends, Well, You Ain’t Got Any
C E7 A A7
When You Get Back On Your Feet Again
Dm A7 Dm A7 Dm
Everybody Wants To Be Your Long Lost Friend
F D#dim7 C A7 D7 F
I Said It Strange, Without Any Doubt Nobody Knows You Nobody Know You
D7 G7
Nobody knows you when you’re down and out ….C7