Nobody's Nobody

Album: Brothers Osborne (2023)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Nobody's Nobody" is the title track of the Brothers Osborne's three-pack Nobody's Nobody Sampler, which they released on April 7, 2023. The song is a feel-good jam where singer TJ Osborne reminds us it doesn't matter who you are, we ought to be accepting each other no matter our differences. Let's raise a glass to our diversity and learn from one another, because we're all part of a bigger picture, and together, we can make this world a better place.
  • Sun goes down
    Takes all kinds of kinds
    To make this world go 'round
    Everybody's somebody, someone
    A sinner, saint, or son of a gun
    Nobody's nobody


    John Osborne and TJ Osborne wrote the heartening song with Nashville songwriter Kendell Marvel ("Tequila Again," "Younger Me") and producer Mike Elizondo. "'Nobody's Nobody' was really inspired just by us thinking, 'You know what? I don't care who you are or what you do, we all have our differences and we sometimes get on each other's nerves, but you still are somebody," said Brothers Osborne. "Everyone is someone in this world and it takes literally every one of us to make it go around.' So, 'Nobody's Nobody' was inspired by that."
  • Mike Elizondo started his career in the late 1990s working with rappers including Eminem, 50 Cent and Dr. Dre. The Los Angeles producer and songwriter went on to produce artists in a range of other genres, including Avenged Sevenfold, Regina Spektor, Maroon 5, Carrie Underwood and Lauren Daigle.

    Elizondo produced all three tracks on the Nobody's Nobody Sampler. "Working on music with them was unlike anything I've done before," said Elizondo. "We had the amazing advantage in that they walked in with just a ton of great songs. The first time I did meet the band at TJ's house it really did feel like I was hanging out with high school buddies. I feel like if we were in high school together these would have been the band geeks I would have hung out with."
  • "Nobody's Nobody" came together at Elizondo's Phantom Studio in Gallatin, Tennessee on September 26, 2022. As the Osborne brothers and Kendell Marvel embarked on their musical journey, they stumbled upon a few decent ideas, but none set their souls ablaze.

    Amidst the creative contemplation, the trio sought respite outside, basking in the warmth of the Southern air. Meanwhile, inside the studio, Elizondo stumbled upon a magical Wurlitzer melody like cascading water bubbling and flowing with every 16th note.

    "I had a delay pedal on it," he remembered to Billboard. "It was kind of creating this certain rhythm, and when you play a chord, then the delay creates a rhythmic offshoot of it."

    As the other three pondered their next move under the open sky, contemplating the turning tides of creativity, the option to call it a day lingered. Yet, in that moment, Marvel shared a title he had been musing upon, "Nobody's Nobody." Although uncertain of its path, he envisioned a melancholic tale woven into its fabric, a story of longing and wistful emotion. "I didn't hear it that way at all," said TJ Osborne. "I actually heard it as, '[If] nobody's nobody, [then] everybody is somebody.' And then they were like, 'Oh s--t, OK.'"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Wolfgang Van Halen

Wolfgang Van HalenSongwriter Interviews

Wolfgang Van Halen breaks down the songs on his debut album, Mammoth WVH, and names the definitive Van Halen songs from the Sammy and Dave eras.

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?

Linda Perry

Linda PerrySongwriter Interviews

Songwriting Hall of Famer Linda Perry talks about her songs "What's Up" and "Beautiful," her songwriting process, and her move into film music.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.