Nelson began his entertainment career in 1949, playing himself in the radio sitcom series, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. In 1952, he appeared in his first feature film, Here Come the Nelsons. In 1957, he recorded his first single ("I'm Walkin' b/w "A Teenager's Romance", Verve 10047X4S), debuted as a singer on the television version of the sitcom, and released the No. 1 album titled Ricky. In 1958, Nelson released his first #1 single, "Poor Little Fool", and in 1959 received a Golden Globe nomination for "Most Promising Male Newcomer" after starring in Rio Bravo. A few films followed, and when the television series was cancelled in 1966, Nelson made occasional appearances as a guest star on various television programs. In his twenties, he moved away from the pop music of his youth, and began to perform in a more country rock style. After recording several albums with mostly session musicians, most of which flopped, he formed the Stone Canyon Band in 1969 and experienced a career resurgence, buoyed by the live album In Concert at the Troubadour, 1969 and had a surprise hit with 1972's "Garden Party", which peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. His comeback was short-lived, however, as his record label was bought out and folded, and his followup albums were not well promoted by his new label. He continued to perform live and take small television roles through the 1970s, though his label dropped him by the end of the decade. He released two more albums, with unimpressive results, before his death in a plane crash on New Year's Eve, 1985.
Nelson was married once, to Sharon Kristin Harmon, from 1963 until their divorce in 1982. They had four children: actress Tracy Nelson, twin sons and musicians Gunnar and Matthew, and actor Sam.
Nelson was born on May 8, 1940, in Teaneck, New Jersey. He was the second son of entertainment couple Harriet Hilliard Nelson (born Peggy Lou Snyder; July 18, 1909 – October 2, 1994) and Ozzie Nelson (March 20, 1906 – June 3, 1975). His father Ozzie was of half Swedish descent. The Nelsons' older son was actor David Nelson (October 24, 1936 – January 11, 2011).
On May 8, 1961 (his 21st birthday), he officially modified his recording name from "Ricky Nelson" to "Rick Nelson". His childhood nickname proved hard to shake, especially among the generation who had watched him grow up on "Ozzie and Harriet". Even in the 1980s, when Nelson realized his dream of meeting Carl Perkins, Perkins noted that he and "Ricky" were the last of the "rockabilly breed".
In 1963, Nelson signed a 20-year contract with Decca Records. After some early successes with the label, most notably 1964's "For You" (#6), Nelson's chart career came to a dramatic halt in the wake of Beatlemania, The British Invasion, and later the Counterculture era. However, instead of dropping him, Decca kept him on board.
In the mid-1960s, Nelson began to move towards country music, becoming a pioneer in the country-rock genre. He was one of the early influences of the so-called "California Sound" (which would include singers like Jackson Browne and Linda Ronstadt and bands such as Eagles). Yet Nelson himself did not reach the Top 40 again until 1970, when he recorded Bob Dylan's "She Belongs to Me" with the Stone Canyon Band, featuring Randy Meisner, who in 1971 became a founding member of the Eagles, and former Buckaroo steel guitarist Tom Brumley.
Nelson died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1985, flying from Guntersville, Alabama, to Dallas, Texas, for a concert. The plane he was on, a Douglas DC-3, had a history of mechanical problems. All seven passengers, including Blair, died. Only the two pilots survived.
Nelson's funeral took place at the Church of the Hills, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery, on January 6, 1986, and he was privately buried in the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery, in Los Angeles. His estate was bequeathed to his children.
Believe What You Say
Rick Nelson Lyrics
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I believe what you say when you say you don`t kiss nobody else but me
I believe (I believe), do believe (do believe), I believe (I believe)
Yeah, I believe, pretty baby, believe you`re goin` steady with nobody else but me
Well, there`s-a one thing, baby, that I wantcha to know
When you`re rockin` with me don`t rock too slow
a-Move on in, get toe-to-toe
I believe (I believe), do believe (do believe), I believe (I believe)
Yeah, I believe, pretty baby, believe you`re goin` steady with nobody else but me
[Spoken]
Well, let`s dig it now.
Well, I believe what you say when you say you don`t miss nobody else but me
I believe what you say when you say you don`t kiss nobody else but me
I believe (I believe), do believe (do believe), I believe (I believe)
Yeah, I believe, pretty baby, believe you`re goin` steady with nobody else but me
Well, when you kiss me, baby, then you roll your eyes
I get a funny feelin` that I`m hypnotized
Chills run all up and down my spine
I`m tellin` everybody that you`re mine, all mine
I believe (I believe), do believe (do believe), yeah believe (yeah believe)
Oh, believe, pretty baby, believe you`re goin` steady with nobody else but me
[Spoken]
Oh, yeah!
Well, I believe, do believe, yeah believe
Well, believe, pretty baby, believe you`re goin` steady with nobody else but me
In "Believe What You Say," Rick Nelson expresses his trust in his partner and reassures her of his own faithfulness. He believes her when she says that she is only seeing him and not kissing anyone else. His belief in her word is unshakeable, and he emphasizes this by repeating the line "I believe" throughout the song.
The song also has a playful nature. In the second verse, Rick urges his partner to dance with him and to "move on in, get toe-to-toe." The upbeat tempo and catchy melody, along with the repeated refrain of "I believe," make it a fun and lighthearted love song.
Overall, "Believe What You Say" highlights the importance of trust in a relationship and the power of a commitment to fidelity. Rick Nelson's confident and joyful delivery of the lyrics makes it a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
I believe what you say when you say you`re goin` steady with nobody else but me
I trust you when you tell me that we are exclusive and that you are not seeing anyone else.
I believe what you say when you say you don`t kiss nobody else but me
I trust you when you say that you only kiss me and don't kiss anyone else.
I believe (I believe), do believe (do believe), I believe (I believe)
I really trust and believe you.
Well, there`s-a one thing, baby, that I wantcha to know When you`re rockin` with me don`t rock too slow a-Move on in, get toe-to-toe We`re gonna rock till we can`t rock no more
When we're dancing together, I want you to move faster and closer to me. Let's enjoy our time together and dance until we can't dance anymore.
Well, I believe what you say when you say you don`t miss nobody else but me
I believe that you only miss me and don't miss anyone else.
Well, when you kiss me, baby, then you roll your eyes I get a funny feelin` that I`m hypnotized Chills run all up and down my spine I`m tellin` everybody that you`re mine, all mine
When you kiss me, I feel like I'm under a spell and I get shivers down my spine. I'm proud to tell everyone that you are mine and no one else's.
I believe (I believe), do believe (do believe), yeah believe (yeah believe) Oh, believe, pretty baby, believe you`re goin` steady with nobody else but me
I truly believe that you're committed to me and no one else. I trust you completely.
Well, I believe, do believe, yeah believe Well, believe, pretty baby, believe you`re goin` steady with nobody else but me
I have complete faith in you and our relationship. You are mine and I am yours, and I trust that you are committed to me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DORSEY BURNETTE, JOHNNY BURNETTE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind