Talk:Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out

Song Versions

I have found that the history of this widely covered song is ambiguous as to who wrote what, and when. I have filled in some information in the article, from available online sources. Since Jimmy Cox's publisher seems not to have put out any sheet music at the time of their 1923 copyright (how is that possible?), and since the first recording (4 years later, under a different title) credits Bobby Leecan as author, the subject is more than a bit muddied. I'm assuming Leecan's authorship pertains to his completely different lyrics, which can be heard on YouTube. There's not much biographical information available about Cox or Leecan. Despite the 3 slightly different titles, all known versions use the same tune, so at least there's that much consistency. Ramseyman (talk) 17:37, 24 November 2020 (UTC)

I just found the Jemima Quartet version in the database and on Youtube and entered a paragraph about it in the early versions section here. It really does sound like part of it is someone reading a sheet of Cox's lyrics. It's still more than 5 years after the copyright, but it seems to clear up the question of how much was and was not ad-libbed by Bessie Smith. Sorry I forgot to sign in.Ramseyman (talk) 12:46, 5 December 2020 (UTC)