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Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out

· by Janis Joplin

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Lyrics

(C)Once I lived the (E7)life of a mil lio naire.

Spent all my mon ey, I (Dm)did n’t care

Car ry ing my (F#dim7)friends out (C)for a good time, buy ing (D7)boot leg li quor, cham pagne and wine.

Then I be (E7)gan to fall so low,

I (F)did n’t have a friend,

and (Dm)no place to go.

But if I (F)ev er get my hands on a (C)dol lar a gain, I’m gon na (D7)hold on to it ’til them ea gles grin.

No

bod y (A7)knows you

when you’re (A7)down and (Dm)out.

In my (F#dim7)pock et, not (C)one pen

ny.

And my friends, I

have n’t an (G7)y.

But (C)if I ev er (E7)get on my feet a gain,

then I’ll (A7)meet my (Dm)long lost friend.

It’s not as (F#dim7)strange

with out a (A)doubt,

no bod y knows you when you’re (G7)down and (C)out.

I (D7)mean when you’re (G7)down and (C)out.

Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out by Janis Joplin — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out” by Janis Joplin in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of C at 86 BPM, a comfortable easy-level arrangement perfect for first-time learners.

Tips for parents & teachers

Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out" good for a child learning piano?: Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out"?: Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?: No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?: Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
How many chords does "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out" use?: Just 10 chords: A, A7, C, D, D7, Dm, E7, F, +2 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Janis Joplin songs work for kids?: Try "ME AND BOBBY McGEE", "LITTLE GIRL BLUE", "PIECE OF MY HEART". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.