Janis Covers “Down And Out” And It Will Leave You Breathless

Baby, When You’re Down And Out…

From the album, This Is Janis Joplin, our beloved Janis covers 20’s singer, Jimmy Cox’s bluesy “Nobody Loves You (When You’re Down And Out)” so beautifully it could make you cry.

As her fans, we know that Janis was no stranger to loneliness, so this functions as the perfect sad and soulful ballad for the lost, but never forgotten singer.

“No, nobody knows you, honey, when you’re down and out. In your pocket not one penny, and your friends, well, you haven’t any…”

Originally, this song was recorded by Janis’s icon and musical role model, Bessie Smith, in the early 20’s. Although Bessie brought the Blues to this tune, Janis brought her own Texan twang to vocal heartbreak with such natural ease and clarity that cannot be denied.

Interesting Fact: 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.

When you listen to this rare audio track, you cannot help but picture Janis in an old fashioned wardrobe, a mic at her hands and a living, breathing soul in her voice– even though that is not the way we knew her and loved her.

+ Nobody Loves You (When You’re Down And Out) Lyrics +

Well, once I lived the life of a millionaire,
spending my money, no, I didn’t care
Takin’ my friend out for a mighty good time
Buyin’ high-priced liquor, champagne wine

Then one day I began to fall so low,
didn’t have a friend, nor no place to go
If I get my hands on a dollar again
I’m goin’ to hold on to it until the eagle grins

No, nobody knows you when you’re down and out
In your pocket not one penny,
and your friends, well, you haven’t any

Soon as I get back up on my feet again,
everybody wants to be your long lost friend
It’s might strange, without a doubt
Nobody knows you when you’re down and out

No, nobody knows you, honey, when you’re down and out
In your pocket not one penny,
and your friends, well, you haven’t any

Then you get back up on your feet again,
everybody wants to be your long lost friend
It’s might strange without a doubt,
Nobody knows you when you’re down and out

It’s mighty strange, without a doubt
Nobody knows you when you’re down and out
That’s what I mean, honey, when you’re down and out