She sang backing vocals on the Van Halen song "Could This Be Magic?" and on Neil Young's recording of Ian Tyson's folk classic "Four Strong Winds".
Born in Helena, Montana, Larson got her start singing with Hoyt Axton's band and Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. She worked as a session vocalist for Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Michael McDonald, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Neil Young, Christopher Cross, Little Feat, Mary Kay Place, The Dirt Band, The Beach Boys and The Doobie Brothers. In 1979, she was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. She also had a minor role in the 1988 film Twins.
In December 1997, she died in Los Angeles from complications arising from a cerebral edema at the age of 45. She was survived by her husband Russell Kunkel and her daughter Elsie May Larson-Kunkel (born 1990), who has also found some entertainment experience.
Larson is buried in Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Rhumba Girl
Nicolette Larson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I haven't changed at all
Got the same old walk, the same old talk
That would run you up the wall
I got the same old face and the same old smile and
The same old baby blues
And I'm still doing the rhumba, baby
I'm still the girl for you
I'm still doing the rhumba baby
I can't seem to quit
If my mama catches us doing the rhumba
My mama would just pitch a fit
But I can't help myself, it's much bigger than me
If I were you, I would hang onto a rhumba girl like me
Well there's lots of girls on the floor tonight
With a lot slicker steps than me
The boogaloo, the funky broadway
Are such a pretty sight to see
My step might be old fashioned
But that's just fine with me
Cause I got a couple of rhumba steps
That I think you'd like to see
Darlin' now I'm still doing the rhumba baby
I can't seem to quit
If my mama catches us doing the rhumba
My Mama would just pitch a fit
But I can't help myself, it's much bigger than me
If I were you, I would hang onto a rhumba girl like me
Well I'm the same old girl that I used to be
I haven't changed at all
Got the same old walk, the same old talk
That would run you up the wall
I got the same old face and the same old smile and
The same old baby blues
And I'm still doing the rhumba, baby
I'm still the girl for you
I'm still doing the rhumba baby
I can't seem to quit
If my mama catches us doing the rhumba
My mama would just pitch a fit
But I can't help myself, it's much bigger than me
If I were you, I would hang onto a rhumba girl like me
The song "Rhumba Girl" by Nicolette Larson is about a woman who is proud of her old-fashioned ways, specifically her love of the rhumba dance. She sings that she is still the same girl she used to be, with the same old walk, talk, face, and smile. She admits that her style might be old-fashioned, but she is content with it. While there may be other girls on the dance floor with slicker moves, she believes that her rhumba steps are worth holding onto. She also acknowledges that her love of the rhumba may cause her trouble with her mother, but she just can't quit doing the dance.
The song speaks to the idea of staying true to oneself, even if it means being different or out of step with current trends. The singer of the song is not interested in conforming to what others are doing; she is happy with the things she enjoys, like the rhumba, despite its outdatedness. The song also has a subtext about cultural preservation, as the rhumba originated in Cuba and is celebrated in many Latinx communities. By continuing to dance the rhumba, the singer is paying tribute to this cultural heritage.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm the same old girl that I used to be
I haven't changed at all and I'm still the same person I always was.
I haven't changed at all
I haven't undergone any changes or transformations.
Got the same old walk, the same old talk
I still move and speak in the same way I always have.
That would run you up the wall
My mannerisms might be irritating or annoying to some.
I got the same old face and the same old smile and
My facial features and expressions haven't changed.
The same old baby blues
My blue eyes haven't changed and are still the same.
And I'm still doing the rhumba, baby
I'm still dancing the Rhumba and enjoying it.
I'm still the girl for you
I'm still the person you fell in love with and should still be loved.
I can't seem to quit
I'm unable to stop doing the Rhumba because I enjoy it too much.
If my mama catches us doing the rhumba
If my mother sees us dancing the Rhumba, it would start a conflict.
My Mama would just pitch a fit
My mother would become very angry and upset.
But I can't help myself, it's much bigger than me
I'm drawn to the Rhumba because it's too powerful for me to resist.
If I were you, I would hang onto a rhumba girl like me
If you want a dancing partner who can do the Rhumba, you should stick with me.
Well there's lots of girls on the floor tonight
There are many other women dancing tonight.
With a lot slicker steps than me
Other women who dance better and have smoother moves than me.
The boogaloo, the funky broadway
Other dance styles similar to Rhumba: Boogaloo and Funky Broadway.
Are such a pretty sight to see
These other dancers are beautiful to watch.
My step might be old-fashioned
My Rhumba style might be considered outdated or old.
But that's just fine with me
I'm happy and content with my Rhumba style.
Cause I got a couple of rhumba steps
I know some Rhumba dance moves that I think you'll like.
Darlin' now I'm still doing the rhumba baby
I'm still dancing the Rhumba and calling you my darling.
Lyrics ยฉ Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JESSE WINCHESTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamesklima771
I met her. She was also a lively person! I wish that she was still with us making beautiful music!
@procopiojrpalacios9702
The great vocals of Nicolette Larson, featuring Bill Payne on keyboards, Paul Barriere on guitar, and Kenny Gradney on bass of Little Feat as her "backing band." What a backing band! RIP, Nicolette and Paul. Thank you for the music...
@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music
I've never heard this song before and was thinking it would have been impossible for Little Feat to not have been involved--who wrote it?
@rogerw9x
@@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_MusicLittlefeet duh!
I really admire her work๐
@pupfish3
@@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music , Jesse Winchester wrote this song.
@kenperk9854
i loved her backing vocals with the Doobie Brothers! and the Rhumba girl. So tragic. Some older entertainers should be ashamed or in prison.
@Dartman6
@@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music Jesse Winchester wrote it. Great song!
@vannigio27
Arrangiamento meraviglioso. Complimenti anche ai musicisti. Nicolette stratosferica.
@markstahle874
Ms. Larson was a Rhumba Girl! Sadly passed away in 1997. Such great talent gone too soon!
@alanvallazza9781
Same year Laura Nyro passed.