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.
Easy To Be Free
Rick Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where you've never been before?
Did you ever want to know
Things you've never known before?
I'll take you there with me
And maybe then you'll see
It's easy to be free, yeah
Did you ever want to fly
Over the rainbow skies so high?
Did you ever wonder why
People tell you not to try?
I'll take you there with me
And maybe then you'll see
It's easy to be free, yeah
It's so easy to be free, yeah
I stood and waited where the river runs
It felt so good to feel the morning sun
And after all is said and done
I'm free
Did you ever want to go
Where you've never been before?
Did you ever want to know
Things you've never known before?
I'll take you there with me
And maybe then you'll see
It's easy to be free, yeah
It's so easy to be free, yeah
It's so easy to be free, yeah, yeah
The lyrics of Rick Nelson's song Easy to Be Free reflect the desire to escape from the mundane and explore unknown territories. The song provides an invitation to step out of one's comfort zone and experience the thrill of new adventures. The opening lines of the song ask the listener if they have ever felt the urge to explore uncharted territories and discover new things. The lyrics suggest that the author has a desire to explore these unknowns and is offering to take the listener on a journey with him in hopes that they will come to understand the joy of freedom.
The song's first verse invites the listener to ponder the idea of flying over the rainbow and reaching great heights, while questioning society's tendency to discourage exploration. The chorus emphasizes the message of the song: that freedom is accessible to all and that taking risks is an essential part of the process of achieving it. The second verse speaks of beginning the journey and the importance of seizing the moment.
In essence, Easy to Be Free is a song about the joy of stepping outside the norm and experiencing all that life has to offer. It encourages the listener to take risks, explore their boundaries, and embrace the unknown. It is a call to action, urging the audience to not be afraid to test the limits of what they believe is possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you ever want to go
Where you've never been before?
Have you ever wanted to explore beyond your comfort zone?
Did you ever want to know
Things you've never known before?
Have you ever had curiosity to learn about something new?
I'll take you there with me
And maybe then you'll see
It's easy to be free, yeah
I'll guide you towards new experiences where you'll understand the ease of being free.
Did you ever want to fly
Over the rainbow skies so high?
Have you ever had the desire to reach for the unreachable?
Did you ever wonder why
People tell you not to try?
Have you been questioned by others for attempting to aim high?
I stood and waited where the river runs
It felt so good to feel the morning sun
And after all is said and done
I'm free
I paused by the river and watched nature, and now after reflection, I understand that I am free.
It's so easy to be free, yeah
Being free is effortless and simple.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Huong Bui
Did you ever want to go
Where you've never been before?
Did you ever want to know
Things you've never known before?
I'll take you there with me
And maybe then you'll see
It's easy to be free, yeah
Did you ever want to fly
Over the rainbow skies so high?
Did you ever wonder why
People tell you not to try?
I'll take you there with me
And maybe then you'll see
It's easy to be free, yeah
It's so easy to be free, yeah
I stood and waited where the river runs
It felt so good to feel the morning sun
And after all is said and done
I'm free
Did you ever want to go
Where you've never been before?
Did you ever want to know
Things you've never known before?
I'll take you there with me
And maybe then you'll see
It's easy to be free, yeah
It's so easy to be free, yeah
It's so easy to be free, yeah, yeah
Aussie Flag
Ricky's twin sons, sang this song at their fathers funeral.
What a great tribute to their father.
RIP Ricky 🙏
elvis_presley _lover
I didn't know that. That's so sweet. 😢❤
Everett Beebee
@elvis_presley _lover Agreed
Marlén Granqvist
Exactly one year ago my dear, beloved husband was buried, and this song was played at his funeral. He was a big fan of Ricky and thanks to him I learned to love Ricky too. I thought the lyrics and the music was very suitable for a funeral. I am sure my husband was happy with my choice of Music.
BAR T RANCH
God Bless, this song is beautiful, just like life, and what's life without wishes being fulfilled. Your husband was a fortunate man Marlen.
DEFCON 4
The night Ricky died, KNBC in Los Angeles had their final newscast of the evening. Tritia Toyota, with tears in her eyes, announced the tragedy. As she cried on air, they faded to this song and went off air.
Katie Shaver
I find Ricky's music relaxing
Denilson Carreiro
Me too!
neil stucky
This is such an important song now. We can all be free, if we allow ourselves to be
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1970 {April 29th} Ricky Nelson performed "Easy To Be Free" on the ABC-TV musical variety program 'The Johnny Cash Show'...
Almost two months earlier on March 1st "Easy To Be Free" had entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #81; it spent six weeks on the Top 100 and on weeks five and six it was at #48, that was it's peak position on the chart...
Between 1957 and 1973 he had fifty-three Top 100 records; 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 two more #1 records when two of his records peaked at #2; "A Teenager's Romance" for 1 week in 1957 and "Stood Up" for 3 weeks in 1958...
Sadly, Eric Hilliard Nelson passed away at the young age of 45 on December 31st, 1985...
May he R.I.P.