NOBODY KNOWS YOU WHEN YOU'RE DOWN AND OUT - Free Jazz Leadsheet

“Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out” was composed by Jimmy Cox in 1923 and became a staple of early blues and jazz repertoires. The song reflects themes of financial and emotional hardship, highlighting the fickleness of fortune and friendship.

Early recordings include Bessie Smith’s 1929 version, with piano and horn accompaniment that captured both melancholy and swing. Its 12-bar blues structure provides a familiar framework for improvisation and expressive interpretation.

The tune has been revived by artists such as Eric Clapton, Nina Simone, and Louis Armstrong, often emphasizing lyrical phrasing and emotional storytelling. Its enduring appeal lies in its universal theme of adversity and resilience.