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THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

Posted by: In: Other 15 Apr 2022 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

345-Bessie Smith-Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out.

1929. Has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 0.56. Bessie Smith’s ‘honorific’ nickname was initially ‘Queen of the Blues,’ but as her career progressed she was promoted to the ‘Empress of the Blues.’

Honorific nicknames are often used by the media, or fans of an artist to indicate their significance, they are often religious, royal, or aristocratic titles, used metaphorically. There are literally dozens and dozens of artists who have been given honorific nicknames, some which come instantly to mind are ‘The King of Rock ‘N Roll’ (Elvis Presley) ‘The King of Pop’ (Michael Jackson) and ‘The Boss’ (Bruce Springsteen.)

Bessie Smith was born on April 15th, 1894, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, she died on September 26th, 1937, at the age of 43 after being critically injured in a car crash on U.S. Route 61, between Memphis, Tennessee, and Clarksdale, Mississippi. Smith was the most popular female Blues singer of the 1920’s, and 1930’s, and a major influence on fellow Blues singers, and the generations to come including Billie Holiday (see also best songs 624.) Smith herself was inspired by the ‘Mother of the Blues’ Gertrude ”Ma” Rainey (1886-1939) with whom she toured with before starting her recording career. After her death Smith’s estranged husband Jack Gee (1889-1973) thwarted all efforts to purchase a stone to mark her grave, once or twice pocketing the money raised for that purpose for himself. Smith’s grave remained unmarked until 1970 when a tombstone was paid for by Janis Joplin (1943-1970) (see also best songs 341) and Juanita Green, who in her youth had done housework for Smith.

‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out’ was written in 1923 by the American Vaudeville pianist Jimmy Cox, (1882-1925) although the song was copyrighted in that year, the first known recording did not appear until 1927 by the Blues artist Bobby Leecan (1897-1946.) The version recorded by Bessie Smith has become her signature song, and has led to the song becoming a ‘Blues standard.’

‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out’ was written during the ‘Roaring Twenties,’ a time of economic prosperity. The lyrics are a warning not to squander your money because the good times may not last all that long, and the people that want to know you while you are on top, will not be so keen to, once your finances have gone. The songs lyrics of course proved to be very apt as in 1929 the ‘Wall Street Crash’ took place, followed by the beginning of the 10 year ‘Great Depression.’

‘Once I lived the life of a millionaire, spent all my money, I just did not care. Took all my friends out for a good time, bought bootleg liquor, champagne and wine.’