Nobody Knows You When You 're Down and Out - wikipedia Nobody Knows You When You 're Down and Out Not to be confused with Nobody Loves You ( When You 're Down and Out ). `` Nobody Knows You When You 're Down and Out '' Single by Bessie Smith B - side `` Take It Right Back '' Released September 13, 1929 ( 1929 - 09 - 13 ) Format 10 - inch 78 rpm record Recorded New York City, May 15, 1929 Genre Blues Length 3 : 00 Label Columbia ( no. 14451 ) Songwriter ( s ) Jimmy Cox `` Nobody Knows You When You 're Down and Out '' is a blues standard written by Jimmy Cox in 1923. Its lyric, told from the point of view of a one - time millionaire during the Prohibition era, reflects on the fleeting nature of material wealth and the friendships that come and go with it. As a vaudeville - style blues, it was popularized by Bessie Smith, the preeminent female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s. Since her 1929 recording, it has been interpreted by numerous musicians in a variety of styles. Contents 1 Lyrics and composition 2 Early recordings 3 Bessie Smith song 4 1930s -- 1960s renditions 5 Eric Clapton versions 6 Later recordings 7 Notes 8 References Lyrics and composition When `` Nobody Knows You When You 're Down and Out '' was composed in 1923 by Jimmy Cox, the `` Roaring Twenties '' were coming into full swing. After the post-World War I recession, a new era of prosperity was experienced in the U.S. and elsewhere. However, in the face of all the optimism, Cox wrote a cautionary tale about the fickle nature of fortune and its attendant relationships : Once I lived the life of a millionaire, spendin ' my money I did n't care I carried my friends out for a good time, buying bootleg liquor, champagne and wine When I begin to fall so low, I did n't have a friend and no place to go So if I ever get my hand on a dollar again, I 'm gon na 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 have n't any The song is a moderate - tempo blues with ragtime - influences, which follows an eight - bar progression : I -- III7 VI7 ii -- VI7 ii IV7 -- ♯ IV 7 I -- VI7 II7 V7 Early recordings Although `` Nobody Knows You When You 're Down and Out '' was published in 1923, the first known recording did not appear until 1927. Piedmont blues 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 an early rendition of the song as Blind Bobby Baker, with his vocal and fingerpicking - style guitar. His version, recorded in New York around June 1927, was titled `` Nobody Needs You When You 're Down and Out '' and used some different lyrics with emphasis on the hard times. On January 15, 1929, influential boogie - woogie pianist Pinetop Smith recorded `` Nobody Knows You When You 're Down and Out '' in Chicago. In it the lyrics are spoken rather than sung to Smith 's piano accompaniment. The song is one of 11 known recordings by Smith, who died two months after he recorded it. Bessie Smith song Bessie Smith recorded the song on May 15, 1929, in New York. Unlike the earlier versions, Bessie Smith recorded the song with instrumental accompaniment, including a small trumpet section. When Smith 's record was released on September 13, 1929 ( a Friday ), the lyrics turned out to be oddly prophetic. The New York stock market had reached an all - time high less than two weeks earlier, only to go into its biggest decline two weeks later in the Wall Street Crash of 1929, which signaled the beginning of the ten - year Great Depression. Bessie Smith 's `` Nobody Knows You When You 're Down and Out '' became one of her biggest hits, but was released before `` race records '' were tracked by record industry publications, such as Billboard magazine. Today, it `` more than any other, is the song that most people associate with Bessie Smith ''. 1930s -- 1960s renditions Due to the popularity of Bessie Smith 's recording, numerous musicians began interpreting the song in recordings of their own. The song became an early standard with jazz and blues artists, such as the Count Basie Orchestra, Louis Jordan And His Tympany Five, Sidney Bechet, Scrapper Blackwell, Eddie Condon, Josh White, Julia Lee, and Lead Belly. In the late 1950s -- early 1960s, it again became popular with the American folk music revival, with recordings by Eric Von Schmidt, Odetta, Chad Mitchell Trio, Dave Van Ronk, and an early demo by Janis Joplin with Jorma Kaukonen. In 1960, a version by Nina Simone reached number 23 in the Billboard R&B chart as well as number 93 in the Hot 100 pop chart. In the mid-1960s, soul versions were recorded by Sam Cooke and Otis Redding ; rock versions by the Spencer Davis Group, pre-Allman Brothers Band Duane Allman and Gregg Allman, and Them ; and a French version by Nino Ferrer ( as `` Le Millionnaire '' ). Eric Clapton versions When he was an art student in the early 1960s, Eric Clapton was attracted to London 's folk - music scene and the fingerpicking acoustic guitar - style of Big Bill Broonzy. Along with `` Key to the Highway '', `` Nobody Knows You When You 're Down and Out '' was one of the first songs that Clapton learned to play in this style. In 1970, he recorded a group version with his band, Derek and the Dominos, for their debut album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. The recording took place at the Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida, with Jim Gordon ( drums ), Carl Radle ( bass ), Bobby Whitlock ( organ ), and Duane Allman ( slide guitar ). As Whitlock recalled, Sam Samudio, who was also recording at Criteria, suggested that they record the song. This was Duane Allman 's first song with us. I believe that it was a song that he and Eric both had in common... This song was recorded live, vocals and all, with no overdubs. It was the first take, but of course it was all worked out before we went into it. Allman had recorded `` Nobody Knows You When You 're Down and Out '' earlier with his brother Gregg and used similar guitar lines for the Derek and the Dominos recording. Whitlock also noted that Clapton played through a Fender Champ guitar amplifier ( a five - watt practice amp ), while Allman used a Fender Twin. Shortly after the studio recording, the song became part of the Dominos live set. Although it did not appear on their 1973 In Concert album, a recording from the Fillmore East on October 24, 1970 was later included on the expanded Live at the Fillmore album released in 1994. For this version, Clapton played all the guitar parts and Whitlock performed on piano. In 1992, Clapton recorded another rendition for the MTV Unplugged series. In keeping with the show 's theme, the song was performed in an acoustic style. Clapton recounted : `` I also enjoyed going back and playing the old stuff like ' Nobody Knows You When You 're Down and Out ', which was how it all started back in Kingston ( University ) so long ago. '' The version from Unplugged was released as a special limited edition single in Argentina, where it reached number eight on the record chart in 1992 and was certified as a `` gold '' record ( 50,000 copies shipped ). Later recordings `` Nobody Knows You When You 're Down and Out '' continues to be recorded by many musicians in different styles. To illustrate their variety, some examples include : Dick Hyman, Tom Jones, B.B. King, Katie Melua, Van Morrison, Emmy Rossum, Leslie Odom Jr., Archie Shepp and Horace Parlan, Rod Stewart, Dave Van Ronk, Neko Case, Bobby Womack, Sara Niemietz, Alberta Hunter, Jorma Kaukonen and Popa Chubby. Notes Jump up ^ Weissman 2005, p. 154. Jump up ^ Hal Leonard 1995, pp. 160 -- 161. Jump up ^ Perfect 133, Pathé Actuelle 7533 Jump up ^ Vocalion 1256 Jump up ^ Albertson 2005, p. 33. Jump up ^ Whitburn 1988, p. 375. ^ Jump up to : Clapton 2007, pp. 29 -- 30. ^ Jump up to : Whitlock & Roberty 2010, p. 95. Jump up ^ Clapton 2007, p. 254. Jump up ^ Martinéz 1994, p. 1. References Albertson, Chris ( 2005 ). Bessie. Yale University Press. ISBN 978 - 0 - 300 - 10756 - 2. Clapton, Eric ( 2007 ). Clapton : The Autobiography. Broadway Books. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7679 - 2536 - 5. Hal Leonard ( 1995 ). The Blues. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 0 - 7935 - 5259 - 1. Martinéz, Aciano ( 1994 ). Unplugged y solteros de Eric Clapton son productos más vendidos en el país !. Buenos Aires : CAPIF. Dean, Maury ( 2003 ). Rock ' n ' Roll Gold Rush. Algora Publishing. ISBN 978 - 0 - 87586 - 207 - 1. Herzhaft, Gerard ( 1992 ). `` Nobody Knows You When You 're Down and Out ''. Encyclopedia of the Blues. University of Arkansas Press. ISBN 1 - 55728 - 252 - 8. Weissman, Dick ( 2005 ). Blues. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 978 - 0 - 8160 - 6926 - 2. Whitburn, Joel ( 1988 ). Top R&B Singles 1942 -- 1988. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 0 - 89820 - 068 - 7. Whitlock, Bobby ; Roberty, Marc ( 2010 ). Bobby Whitlock : A Rock ' n ' Roll Autobiography. McFarland. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7864 - 5894 - 3. Bessie Smith Singles `` Downhearted Blues '' `` Baby Wo n't You Please Come Home '' `` T'ai n't Nobody 's Biz - Ness If I Do '' `` The St. Louis Blues '' `` Careless Love Blues '' `` I Ai n't Got Nobody '' `` After You 've Gone '' `` Alexander 's Ragtime Band '' `` Nobody Knows You When You 're Down and Out '' Related articles St. Louis Blues Book : Bessie Smith Derek and the Dominos Duane Allman Eric Clapton Jim Gordon Carl Radle Bobby Whitlock Studio album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs Live albums In Concert Live at the Fillmore Reissues The Layla Sessions : 20th Anniversary Edition Songs `` Layla '' `` Bell Bottom Blues '' `` Tell the Truth '' `` Nobody Knows You When You 're Down and Out '' `` Key to the Highway '' `` Have You Ever Loved a Woman '' `` Little Wing '' Related articles Blind Faith Delaney & Bonnie Dave Mason The Allman Brothers Band Pattie Boyd Eric Clapton Studio albums Eric Clapton 461 Ocean Boulevard There 's One in Every Crowd No Reason to Cry Slowhand Backless Another Ticket Money and Cigarettes Behind the Sun August Journeyman From the Cradle Pilgrim Reptile Me and Mr. Johnson / Sessions for Robert J Back Home Clapton Old Sock I Still Do Live albums Eric Clapton 's Rainbow Concert E.C. Was Here Just One Night Time Pieces Vol. II Live in the Seventies 24 Nights Unplugged Crossroads 2 : Live in the Seventies One More Car, One More Rider Live in San Diego Compilations The History of Eric Clapton Eric Clapton at His Best Clapton Steppin ' Out Timepieces : The Best of Eric Clapton Backtrackin ' The Cream of Eric Clapton Crossroads Story The Cream of Clapton Blues Clapton Chronicles : The Best of Eric Clapton Complete Clapton Forever Man Singles `` After Midnight '' / `` Easy Now '' `` Blues Power '' / `` Bottle of Red Wine '' `` Let It Rain '' `` I Shot the Sheriff '' / `` Give Me Strength '' `` Willie and the Hand Jive '' `` Swing Low, Sweet Chariot '' `` Knockin ' on Heaven 's Door '' `` Hello Old Friend '' `` Carnival '' `` Lay Down Sally '' / `` Cocaine '' `` Wonderful Tonight '' `` Tulsa Time '' `` Promises '' / `` Watch Out for Lucy '' `` Early in the Morning ( Live ) '' `` I Ca n't Stand It '' `` I 've Got a Rock ' n ' Roll Heart '' `` Crosscut Saw '' `` Forever Man '' `` It 's in the Way That You Use It '' `` Behind the Mask '' `` Tearing Us Apart '' `` Pretending '' / `` Before You Accuse Me '' `` Hound Dog '' `` Bad Love '' `` Tears in Heaven '' / `` White Room ( Live ) '' `` Layla ( Acoustic ) '' `` Down & Out '' `` Motherless Child '' / `` Driftin ' '' `` Change the World '' `` Born in Time '' `` Circus '' `` My Father 's Eyes '' `` Pilgrim '' `` Blue Eyes Blue '' `` ( I ) Get Lost '' `` Come Rain or Come Shine '' / `` Ten Long Years '' `` 3 O'Clock Blues '' `` Key to the Highway '' `` Worried Life Blues '' `` I Ai n't Gonna Stand for It '' `` Every Little Thing '' / `` No Sympathy '' Soundtracks Edge of Darkness Homeboy Rush Concert films Live 1986 The Cream of Eric Clapton Live in Hyde Park In Concert : A Benefit for the Crossroads Centre at Antigua Sessions for Robert J Crossroads Guitar Festival 2004 Live at Montreux 1986 Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 Planes, Trains and Eric Slowhand at 70 -- Live at the Royal Albert Hall Collaborations Riding with the King The Road to Escondido Live from Madison Square Garden Play the Blues : Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 The Breeze : An Appreciation of JJ Cale Tours Journeyman World Tour 1992 Eric Clapton World Tour Related Album discography Singles discography Videography Blackie Brownie The Fool Signature Stratocaster Crossroads Centre Crossroads Guitar Festival Pattie Boyd ( wife ) Ferrari SP12 EC Va Bene Wonderful Tonight : George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nobody_Knows_You_When_You%27re_Down_and_Out&oldid=772569514 '' Categories : 1923 songs 1960 singles 1992 singles Bessie Smith songs Blues songs Columbia Records singles Derek and the Dominos songs Eric Clapton songs Nina Simone songs Hidden categories : Use mdy dates from June 2016 Articles with hAudio microformats Talk Contents About Wikipedia Brezhoneg Deutsch Français Norsk nynorsk Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Edit links This page was last edited on 28 March 2017, at 01 : 56. 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Question: who wrote nobody knows you when you're down and out
Answer: Jimmy Cox