| "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Bessie Smith | |
| B-side | "Take It Right Back" |
| Released | September 13, 1929 |
| Recorded | New York City, May 15, 1929 |
| Genre | Blues |
| Length | 3:00 |
| Label | Columbia |
| Songwriter(s) | Jimmie Cox |
"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.