The GREATEST Blues progression of all time

Today we're looking at the greatest Blues chord progression of all time: Nobody Knows You When You're Down & Out. We're analyzing why it sounds so great!

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Hi, my name is Paul Davids! I am a guitar player, teacher, producer, and overall music enthusiast from the Netherlands! I try to inspire people from all over the world with my videos, here on YouTube.

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Paul

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[kutsbothways]

A very dear old friend taught me this song in '73 when I first started playing. I understood absolutely nothing as to the theory behind it. She is long gone now, but I think of her every time I play this tune. Thank you for the lesson.

[mattcorregan]

When Eric Clapton played this song on MTV Unplugged, I immediately went out to the local music store, bought the DVD and the tab, took it home and learned every song in about a week. This is still one of my favorite blues songs, now I love it even more after hearing this bit of music theory on it!

[CotalCosta]

This song, the version of Scrapper Blackwell, is what make me start plaing the guitar seriously. I love this song so much

[caithomas]

My ears keep hearing 'you've got a friend in me', whenever Paul plays his arrangement; I imagine some inspiration was taken from this song for that Disney classic.

[hendon]

Seeing his three videos on blues fingerstyle where he plays this on a travel guitar, it quickly became my fave bit of acoustic blues too. Paul, you are consistently awesome, thanks for inspiring me

[leem]

Best guitar lesson I’ve ever seen. Simplicity and the all important clarity for a complex progression. Too many tubers talk and tell - you SHOW - simply and clearly. I can understand what is happening.

[stephanelacaze]

No one told me before just how simple, clear and logical that chord progression is !!
And finally how great it is...
Learn this tune just playing along with you on the second view.
Thanks !

[przemekwitkowski]

I had to learn this because my 6 YO daughter loves it man! I have to play it for her all the time before she falls asleep;) Thanks Paul!

[smileyfog]

Man, you don't even need to ask for a like, the way you explain things in such an understandable way, I love your videos and lessons /tips. Fantastic!!

[mattcartwright]

This song is also performed by The Allman Brothers Band but in one of their first 'forms'. Its on the album "Duane & Gregg" by Duane and Gregg Allman before they were the ABB. Gregg Allman sounds like Ray Charles across the whole album, it;s INSANE. This album also features an early motown r'n'b version of their famous track, Melissa.

[adri]

Paul, buddy. When you play the blues, it's just good. Everything you play is good, but the blues, man. That's where it's at.

[lavenderchants]

When I first saw this video last year, it opened my eyes to the whole secondary dominant concept that I had sort of noticed in a lot of songs but did not understand why those chords were being used, even though I could obviously tell that they sounded great.
At that time, I did not feel capable of playing this tune the way that you do, though I completely understood your explanation of the 7th chords.
Since then, I have been experimenting with spicing up my own songs by inserting secondary dominants into my progressions, and I love it!
Now, I have come back to this video again, and I find that now I can follow the changes and even do the walking bass lines, and it is awesome to be able to play this song!
Thanks for giving me such a wonderful gift that keeps on giving! Rock on!

[charleslaboissiere]

Serioulsy, u combine information, divertissement and actual song/chord progression. I can watch ur video while eating a steak and enjoy it, i can learn about music theorie and writting notes and i can learn a new song with my guitar and all that in a simple video, ur content is awsome and well balanced for everybody. Thanks a lot Paul !

[aptudo]

The influence of ragtime on this chord progression is unmistakable.

[peytoncarbagalguitar]

I love claptons unplugged version of this song, it flows so well, his vocals are great and the solo fits the song so well. This was a great video as per usual, thanks Paul

[justinludeman]

It's an 8 or 16 bar blues, depending on how it's divided as a sheet into sections. I used to play this with Dutch Tilders decades ag; dom7 changes and substitutions galore when approached diatonically. A great tune. D - B7 = boom...
"Knowbody now you... Unless you're down and out"
Beautiful music, timeless.
That voice leading in the treble voice plus the supporting bass ( if you get it ☺️).

[soundssimple]

Claptons' version of this in his Unplugged DVD is excellent, thanks Paul for the lesson and the Clapton reminder.

[derekpolano]

This is ridiculous! For most of my life I thought this was the most difficult blues song I had ever heard and in just over 10 minutes I can already do a half decent job of it! Paul you are an absolute wizard.

[oalsecnev]

Finest quality lesson. Excellent from all points of view: camera and light setup, graphics (with chords and lead sheet), explanation and execution. It was just flawless.

[TeddyLovesBacon]

Every time I hear this progression it reminds me of the first cassette I ever purchased when I was 11, Eric Clapton Unplugged. Beautiful and classic. Thanks for the lesson!🔥🔥🔥