Nobody knows you

There’s a blues standard written in the 1920s by Jimmy Cox called “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out.” I know of it because of the great Eric Clapton rendition on his Unplugged album from 1992.

Here’s my favorite section:

Nobody knows you when you’re down and out.
In your pocket, not one penny ...
And as for friends, you don’t have many.
When you get back on your feet again,
Everybody wants to be your long lost friend.
I said it’s strange, without any doubt,
Nobody knows you when you’re down and out.

Part of it is perhaps true. When you’re low, people don’t seem to want to be around you.

But part of it has to do with the story we tell ourselves: that things are hard, and we’re alone, and our worth is based on our present circumstances.

And of course, we’re free to let go of that story and to tell ourselves a better one. One of present setbacks and brighter futures.

* * *

This daily blog isn’t a great source for blues lyrics, but singing the blues can be a good thing. Sometimes it’s helpful to have a release, and to let music carry us through the ups and downs of our struggles.

Here’s hoping you’re in a season where everybody wants to be your long lost friend.