A Teenager's Romance
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A teenager's romance is red hot or blue
You're either in misery or high on a crest
A teenager's romance is like all the rest
They tell us we're different
We haven't the right
To decide for ourselves, dear
What's black and what's white
Keep saying you love me
And they'll look upon
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
They tell us we're different
We haven't the right
To decide for ourselves, dear
What's black and what's white
Keep saying you love me
And they'll look upon
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
The song "A Teenager's Romance" by Ricky Nelson reflects the tumultuous nature of teenage relationships. The lyrics highlight the fickle and unpredictable nature of teenage romance, with its extremes of passion and pain. The first stanza emphasizes the contrasting emotions that come with being a teenager in love, with the possibility of feeling either miserable or on top of the world. The second stanza confronts the societal norms that often dictate the expectations placed on young lovers, particularly in terms of race and class. The chorus suggests that despite these challenges, teenage romance can endure as long as love is professed.
The lyrics suggest that teenage romance is a universal experience with a predictable set of ups and downs. The song reinforces this idea with its simple and repetitive melody, which suggests that teenage love is a common, unchanging, and yet powerful experience. Nelson also captures the tension between individual desire and societal expectations, which is a theme that has resonated with generations of teenagers.
Line by Line Meaning
A teenager's romance is fickled or true
Love in teenage years is uncertain and unstable or can be genuine
A teenager's romance is red hot or blue
The intensity of love between teenagers can fluctuate greatly
You're either in misery or high on a crest
The highs and lows of teenage love can be extreme and intense
A teenager's romance is like all the rest
Teenage love is not unique and is similar to the experiences of others
They tell us we're different
Society views teenagers as different or not mature enough to make important decisions
We haven't the right
Teenagers are not given the authority to choose for themselves
To decide for ourselves, dear
Teenagers are not allowed to make their own choices in love or relationships
What's black and what's white
Teenagers are not able to determine what is right and wrong in relationships
Keep saying you love me
If we keep expressing our love for each other
And they'll look upon
People will see
A teenager's romance
The love between two teenagers
That goes on and on
That will continue despite criticism and obstacles
Contributed by Gabriel E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Deb_x_s _
Lyrics:
Bah, bah, bah, but
Bah, bah, bah, but
Bah, bah, bah, bah. bah. bah, but
Do do do do do do
Bah, bah, bah, but
Bah, bah, bah, but
Bah, bah, bah, bah. bah. bah, but
A teenager's romance is fickled or true
A teenager's romance is red hot or blue
You're either in misery or high on a crest
A teenager's romance is like all the rest
They tell us we're different
We haven't the right
To decide for ourselves, dear
What's black and what's white
Keep saying you love me
And they'll look upon
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
[Instrumental Interlude]
They tell us we're different
We haven't the right
To decide for ourselves, dear
What's black and what's white
Keep saying you love me
And they'll look upon
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
skedos44
A teenager's romance is fickle or true
A teenager's romance is red hot or blue
You're either in misery or high on a crest
A teenager's romance is like all the rest
They tell us we're different
We haven't the right
To decide for ourselves, dear
What's black and what's white
Keep saying you love me
And they'll look upon
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
They tell us we're different
We haven't the right
To decide for ourselves, dear
What's black and what's white
Keep saying you love me
And they'll look upon
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1957 {May 30th} "A Teenager's Romance"* by Ricky Nelson peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on Billboard's 'Best-Sellers In Stores' chart, for the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Love Letters In The Sand" by Pat Boone...
Between 1957 and 1973 he had fifty-three records on the Top 100 chart, nineteen made the Top 10 with two reaching #1, "Poor Little Fool" for 2 weeks in 1958 and "Travelin' Man" for 2 weeks in 1961...
He just missed having a twentieth Top 10 record when his "A Wonder Like You" peaked at #11 {for 1 week} in November of 1961...
Sadly, Eric Hilliard Nelson passed away at the young age of 45 on December 31st, 1985...
May he R.I.P.
* "A Teenager's Romance" was Ricky Nelson's first of two of his records to peak at #2, his other #2 record was "Stood Up" for three weeks later in 1957...
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the Best-Sellers In Stores' Top 10 on May 30th, 1957:
At #3. "White Sport Coat" by Marty Robbins
#4. "So Rare" by Jimmy Dorsey
#5. "Bye Bye Love" by the Everly Brothers
#6. "All Shook Up" by Elvis Presley
#7. "Dark Moon" by Gale Storm
#8. "School Day" by Chuck Berry
#9. "Little Darlin'" by the Diamonds
#10. "Start Movin'" by Sal Mineo
815_silentgoonfilmz
Ricky Nelson lyrics
Bah, bah, bah, but
Bah, bah, bah, but
Bah, bah, bah, bah. bah. bah, but
Do do do do do do
Bah, bah, bah, but
Bah, bah, bah, but
Bah, bah, bah, bah. bah. bah, but
A teenager's romance is fickle or true
A teenager's romance is red hot or blue
You're either in misery or high on a crest
A teenager's romance is like all the rest
They tell us we're different
We haven't the right
To decide for ourselves, dear
What's black and what's white
Keep saying you love me
And they'll look upon
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
They tell us we're different
We haven't the right
To decide for ourselves, dear
What's black and what's white
Keep saying you love me
And they'll look upon
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
shawty
Bah, bah, bah, but
Bah, bah, bah, but
Bah, bah, bah, bah. bah. bah, but
Do do do do do do
Bah, bah, bah, but
Bah, bah, bah, but
Bah, bah, bah, bah. bah. bah, but
A teenager's romance is fickle or true
A teenager's romance is red hot or blue
You're either in misery or high on a crest
A teenager's romance is like all the rest
They tell us we're different
We haven't the right
To decide for ourselves, dear
What's black and what's white
Keep saying you love me
And they'll look upon
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
They tell us we're different
We haven't the right
To decide for ourselves, dear
What's black and what's white
Keep saying you love me
And they'll look upon
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
Valeria Castañeda
A teenager's romance is fickle or true
A teenager's romance is red hot or blue
You're either in misery or high on a crest
A teenager's romance is like all the rest
They tell us we're different
We haven't the right
To decide for ourselves, dear
What's black and what's white
Keep saying you love me
And they'll look upon
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
They tell us we're different
We haven't the right
To decide for ourselves, dear
What's black and what's white
Keep saying you love me
And they'll look upon
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
William Bowman
An excellent first record. 60 years later it still tells a story of a young love.
Deb_x_s _
Lyrics:
Bah, bah, bah, but
Bah, bah, bah, but
Bah, bah, bah, bah. bah. bah, but
Do do do do do do
Bah, bah, bah, but
Bah, bah, bah, but
Bah, bah, bah, bah. bah. bah, but
A teenager's romance is fickled or true
A teenager's romance is red hot or blue
You're either in misery or high on a crest
A teenager's romance is like all the rest
They tell us we're different
We haven't the right
To decide for ourselves, dear
What's black and what's white
Keep saying you love me
And they'll look upon
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
[Instrumental Interlude]
They tell us we're different
We haven't the right
To decide for ourselves, dear
What's black and what's white
Keep saying you love me
And they'll look upon
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
Kev Aran
Thanks for the complete lyrics. I wasn't so sure how many bahs there were.
skedos44
A teenager's romance is fickle or true
A teenager's romance is red hot or blue
You're either in misery or high on a crest
A teenager's romance is like all the rest
They tell us we're different
We haven't the right
To decide for ourselves, dear
What's black and what's white
Keep saying you love me
And they'll look upon
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
They tell us we're different
We haven't the right
To decide for ourselves, dear
What's black and what's white
Keep saying you love me
And they'll look upon
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
A teenager's romance
That goes on and on
Renato Leone
Que voz o Ricky tinha, ouvindo aqui do Brasil!
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1957 {May 30th} "A Teenager's Romance"* by Ricky Nelson peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on Billboard's 'Best-Sellers In Stores' chart, for the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Love Letters In The Sand" by Pat Boone...
Between 1957 and 1973 he had fifty-three records on the Top 100 chart, nineteen made the Top 10 with two reaching #1, "Poor Little Fool" for 2 weeks in 1958 and "Travelin' Man" for 2 weeks in 1961...
He just missed having a twentieth Top 10 record when his "A Wonder Like You" peaked at #11 {for 1 week} in November of 1961...
Sadly, Eric Hilliard Nelson passed away at the young age of 45 on December 31st, 1985...
May he R.I.P.
* "A Teenager's Romance" was Ricky Nelson's first of two of his records to peak at #2, his other #2 record was "Stood Up" for three weeks later in 1957...
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the Best-Sellers In Stores' Top 10 on May 30th, 1957:
At #3. "White Sport Coat" by Marty Robbins
#4. "So Rare" by Jimmy Dorsey
#5. "Bye Bye Love" by the Everly Brothers
#6. "All Shook Up" by Elvis Presley
#7. "Dark Moon" by Gale Storm
#8. "School Day" by Chuck Berry
#9. "Little Darlin'" by the Diamonds
#10. "Start Movin'" by Sal Mineo
Arrious& sammy always&forever
2019 I'm loving it already.
Paula Limão
Que hino
haib nguyen
A very pretty song, handsome guy too! But such a tragic death!
Brooklyn1530
Its crazy the number of artists that died in a plane crash...especially during the 50s 60s