The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
(Jimmie Cox)
Once I lived the life
Of a millionaire
Spending my money
Oh I didn't care
Taking my friends out
For a mighty good time
Oh we'd drink that good gin
Champagne and wine
But oh just as soon
As my money got low
I couldn't find nobody
And I had no place to go
And if I ever get my hands
On a dollar again
I'm gonna hold on
Till the eagle wins
Cause I found out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Lord have mercy
Yeah, yeah, now listen
Now in your pocket
There's not one penny
And all of them good friends
You found out you haven't got any
Nobody come around
But the landlord and the taxman
Your ex-wife who says
She wants more alimony
Then there's a knock on the door
And it's a woman you don't know
Says she's having your baby
She'll walk on in
But oh just as soon
As the money roll in
Here they all come sayings
That they're you're long lost friends
But if I ever get my hands
On a dollar again
I believe, I believe I'll hold on
Till the eagle wins
Cause I found out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Nobody, nobody, nobody
Once I lived the life
Of a millionaire
Spending my money
Oh I didn't care
Taking my friends out
For a mighty good time
Oh we'd drink that good gin
Champagne and wine
But oh just as soon
As my money got low
I couldn't find nobody
And I had no place to go
And if I ever get my hands
On a dollar again
I'm gonna hold on
Till the eagle wins
Cause I found out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Lord have mercy
Yeah, yeah, now listen
Now in your pocket
There's not one penny
And all of them good friends
You found out you haven't got any
Nobody come around
But the landlord and the taxman
Your ex-wife who says
She wants more alimony
Then there's a knock on the door
And it's a woman you don't know
Says she's having your baby
She'll walk on in
But oh just as soon
As the money roll in
Here they all come sayings
That they're you're long lost friends
But if I ever get my hands
On a dollar again
I believe, I believe I'll hold on
Till the eagle wins
Cause I found out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Nobody wants you
When you're down and out
Nobody, nobody, nobody
Lyrics submitted by planetearth
Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out Lyrics as written by Jimmy Cox
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Word Collections Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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