Bobby Womack, “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down And Out” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 131^st edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down And Out” by Bobby Womack.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! In the 131^st edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down And Out”, performed by 🎙 Bobby Womack. 

Theme & Lyrics ✍ 

🎵 “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down And Out” marvelously commences 💿 Facts of Life, the 1973 album by the late, great soul artist, 🎙 Bobby Womack.  While it is Womack that brings the lyrics and song to life, “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down And Out” was written by 🎼 ✍ James (Jimmie) Cox (it is a transformation of the blues standard, 🎵 “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out”). Man, oh, man, did Mr. Cox write an epic track! Womack produces the gem, which features an electrifying soul groove, led by the drums and a robust bass line.  Of course, one of the biggest selling points is none other than the nuanced, playful, and soulful vocals by Womack. It is safe to say that he delivers ample personality on this classic.

What is the premise of this no. 29 pop hit? Honestly, it is just as the title suggests. Once you are lacking success – influence, money, in particular, or whatever it may be – NOBODY wants you.  Womack (the character he portrays) recounts affluence – “I lived the life of a millionaire” and “Drinkin’ that good gin, champagne and wine.” Of course, he came down and his ‘friends’ dried up alongside the money and that bougie alcohol. As the chorus states brilliantly, “Cause, I found out / Nobody wants you when you’re down and out.” Of course, Womack makes a wise observation later: “But just let you get up on my feet again / Here they all come tellin’ you / All are you long-lost friends.” It is true what can be said about fake, Fairweather friends.

Final Thoughts 💭

Ultimately, 🎵 “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down And Out” ranks among the crème de la crème of the Bobby Womack collection.  Womack delivers a top-notch performance on a soul gem that deserved to perform even better than it did on the pop charts.  To this day, the message of this record is great food for thought.  So many of us as humans are insensitive and selfish – self-serving.  If we were true friends with someone, would we leave their side as the friends do in this song? We should not but far too often, that is, indeed, the case.

🎙 Bobby Womack • 💿 Facts of Life • 🏷 The Right Stuff • 🗓 1973

Bobby Womack, “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down And Out”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 131 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash,  The Musical Hype, The Right Stuff]