Born in Brooklyn, Nilsson moved to Los Angeles as a teenager to escape his family's poor financial situation. While working as a computer programmer at a bank, he grew interested in musical composition and close-harmony singing and was successful in having some of his songs recorded by various artists, such as the Monkees. In 1967, he debuted on RCA Victor with the LP Pandemonium Shadow Show, followed by a variety of releases that included a collaboration with Randy Newman (Nilsson Sings Newman, 1970) and the original children's story The Point! (1971).
He created the first remix album, Aerial Pandemonium Ballet, in 1971, and recorded the first mashup song ("You Can't Do That") in 1967. His most commercially successful album, Nilsson Schmilsson (1971), produced the international top 10 singles "Without You" and "Coconut". His other top 10 hit, "Everybody's Talkin'" (1968), was featured prominently in the 1969 film Midnight Cowboy. A version of Nilsson's "One," released by Three Dog Night in 1969, also reached the U.S. top 10.
During a 1968 press conference, The Beatles were asked what their favorite American group was and answered "Nilsson." Sometimes called "the American Beatle," he soon formed close friendships with John Lennon and Ringo Starr, joining them in the Hollywood Vampires drinking club. He and Lennon produced one collaborative album, Pussy Cats (1974). After 1977, Nilsson left RCA, and his record output diminished. In response to Lennon's 1980 murder, he took a hiatus from the music industry to campaign for gun control. For the rest of his life, he recorded only sporadically. In 1994, Nilsson died of a heart attack while in the midst of recording what became his last album, Losst and Founnd (2019).
The craft of Nilsson's songs and the defiant attitude he projected remain touchstones for later generations of indie rock musicians. Nilsson was voted No. 62 in Rolling Stone's 2015 list of the "100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time," where he was described as "a pioneer of the Los Angeles studio sound" and "a crucial bridge" between 1960s psychedelia and the 1970s singer-songwriter era. The RIAA certified Nilsson Schmilsson and Son of Schmilsson (1972) as gold records, indicating over 500,000 units sold each. He earned two Grammy Awards (for "Everybody's Talkin'" and "Without You").
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Nilsson
Discography
Spotlight on Nilsson (1966)
Pandemonium Shadow Show (1967)
Aerial Ballet (1968)
Skidoo (1968) (soundtrack)
Harry (1969)
Nilsson Sings Newman (1970)
The Point! (1970) (studio album and soundtrack)
Nilsson Schmilsson (1971)
Son of Schmilsson (1972)
A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night (1973)
Son of Dracula (1974) (soundtrack)
Pussy Cats (1974)
Duit on Mon Dei (1975)
Sandman (1976)
...That's the Way It Is (1976)
Knnillssonn (1977)
Flash Harry (1980)
Popeye (1980) (soundtrack)
Losst and Founnd (2019)
Don
Harry Nilsson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep your feet warm
But keep your clothes on and don't forget me
Keep the memories
But keep your powder dry, too
In the summer
By the pool side
I'll miss you when I'm lonely
I'll miss the alimony, too
Don't forget me, don't forget me
Make it easy on me just for a little while
You know I'll think about you
Let me know you'll think about me, too
And when we're older
And full of cancer
It doesn't matter now, come on, get happy
'Cause nothing lasts forever
But I will always love you
Don't forget me
Please don't forget me
Make it easy on me just for a little while
You know I'll think about you
Let me know you think about me, too
The lyrics of Harry Nilsson’s “Don’t Forget Me” convey a message about the acceptance of mortality and the desire for a remembered legacy even in the face of inevitable death. The song can be interpreted as a plea for remembrance and a need for a lasting presence. The lyrics also highlight the different seasons in life and the importance of holding onto the memories and moments that define them. The song starts by urging the listener to stay warm in the winter and remember the singer even if they are enjoying by the poolside during summers.
The phrases “Don’t forget me” and “Make it easy on me just for a little while” are repeated throughout the song, which suggests a sense of urgency and the need for validation. The line, “And when we’re older and full of cancer, It doesn’t matter now, come on, get happy” suggests a level of acceptance and even humor towards the inevitability of death. The use of “full of cancer” may reflect the singer’s own mortality, possibly inspired by the fact that Harry Nilsson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just a few years after recording this song.
“Don’t Forget Me” is a deeply emotional song with a variety of interpretations. It speaks to the human experience of wanting to be remembered and to leave a legacy behind. It reminds us to cherish those closest to us, and to make the most of the time that we have on this earth.
Line by Line Meaning
In the wintertime
During the cold season
Keep your feet warm
Make sure your toes don't freeze
But keep your clothes on and don't forget me
Wear appropriate clothing and remember me even when not together
Keep the memories
Retain the memories we've created
But keep your powder dry, too
Be cautious and prepared for future challenges
In the summer
During the warm season
By the pool side
Next to the pool
While the fireflies are all around you
During a magical moment with fireflies nearby
I'll miss you when I'm lonely
I'll yearn for you when alone
I'll miss the alimony, too
I'll miss the financial obligation I have towards you after divorce as well
Don't forget me, don't forget me
Repeatedly remembering to think of me
Make it easy on me just for a little while
Make it less difficult for me to bear for a short period
You know I'll think about you
Assuming that I'll have you in my thoughts
Let me know you'll think about me, too
Requesting assurance that you'll have me in your mind as well
And when we're older
In the future, when we're old
And full of cancer
When inundated with the disease
It doesn't matter now, come on, get happy
It won't matter then, so be happy
'Cause nothing lasts forever
Because everything has an end
But I will always love you
But I'll never cease loving you
Don't forget me
Remember me
Please don't forget me
Kindly, don't forget me
Make it easy on me just for a little while
Help me cope for a short time
You know I'll think about you
Assured thoughts of remembering
Let me know you think about me, too
Request for affirmation to be considered as well
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Harry Nilsson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Valhallen002
The opening is so incredibly beautiful.
@e.silverman4082
Still a stunner. One simply couldn't ask for more in a pop song.
@Usercantwelve
Oh Boy ! Did I wear this record out )))
@bradpertner1035
His vocal range...
@nuggets0717
Criminally underrated song
@giorgiomadde3010
Great never recognized as it should
@clarkthesharkshow9944
This is probably the best song off ballet ,...
@trackingstationneillindsay
My favorite artist since the 60's.
@helenl2343
Unbelievable
@surferpam1
Played this over and over after being dumped by my first love.