I Ain't Got Nobody
Jimmy Rushing · Other Songs - Jimmy Rushing
And I begin to think it's true
It's awful hard to love someone
When they don't care about you
Once I had a lovin' gal
The sweetest little thing in town
But now she's gone and left me
She done turn me down
Now I ain't got nobody, and nobody cares for me!
That's why I'm sad and lonely,
Won't somebody come and take a chance with me?
I'll sing you love songs, honey, all the time,
If you'll only say you'll be sweet gal of mine,
Oh, I ain't got nobody, nobody cares for me!
I'll sing you love songs, honey, all the time,
If you'll only say you'll be sweet gal of mine,
Oh, I ain't got nobody, nobody cares for me!
I Ain't Got Nobody
Jimmy Rushing's 1932 recording of 'I Ain't Got Nobody' stands as a seminal work of the swing era, redefining the vocal style of the blues and jazz genres. With his distinctive, raspy delivery and a signature call-and-response structure featuring his own piano, Rushing transformed the song from a traditional blues standard into an upbeat, danceable rhythm that became a staple of the big band repertoire. The track's infectious energy and emotional depth made it a frequent choice for performers across the United States and abroad, cementing Rushing's reputation as a master of vocal improvisation and swing rhythm. Its enduring popularity highlights the song's ability to bridge the gap between the blues tradition and the emerging jazz idiom of the 1930s.