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.
For You
Rick Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For you, yes baby for you
I'll make a string of pearls out of the dew
For you, yes baby for you
Over the highway and over the street
Carpets of clover I'll lay at your feet
I wouldn't do, for you, yes baby for you
Over the highway and over the street
Carpets of clover I'll lay at your feet
Oh, well, it's nothing in this world
I wouldn't do, for you, yes baby for you
Oh, I wouldn't do, yes baby for you
Oh I wouldn't do, yes baby for you
Oh I wouldn't do
The lyrics to Rick Nelson's song For You express a deep devotion and commitment to someone special. The singer promises to go to great lengths to please and satisfy his beloved, stating that he would even gather stars from the sky and make a string of pearls out of the dew for her. He is willing to lay down carpets of clover at his love's feet and do anything in this world for her. The strength of his passion is evident in the repetition of the phrase "yes baby for you" throughout the song.
The imagery in the lyrics is romantic and dreamlike. The idea of gathering stars and creating a string of pearls out of the dew is a poetic way of expressing how the singer sees his lover as something beautiful and special. The promise to lay down carpets of clover at her feet signifies a willingness to submit and serve her. The singer emphasizes that nothing in this world is too much or too big for him to do for his love.
In summary, the song For You by Rick Nelson is a beautiful expression of love and devotion to someone special. The singer promises to do anything to make his beloved happy, even if it means gathering stars, making strings of pearls or laying down carpets of clover at her feet. The imagery is dreamlike and romantic, highlighting the depth of the singer's passion.
Line by Line Meaning
I will gather stars out of the blue
I will find special things for you, like stars in the sky
For you, yes baby for you
Everything I do is for you, my love
I'll make a string of pearls out of the dew
I will create something beautiful and rare for you, like a string of pearls made from dewdrops
Over the highway and over the street
I will go anywhere to show my love for you, even through the most difficult paths
Carpets of clover I'll lay at your feet
I will make sure you always have happiness underfoot, with soft and comfortable clover instead of hard pavement
Oh, well, it's nothing in this world
There is nothing I wouldn't do for you
I wouldn't do, for you, yes baby for you
My love for you is limitless and I will do anything to make you happy
Oh I wouldn't do, yes baby for you
I will always put you first and do anything to keep you by my side
Oh I wouldn't do
My love for you is so strong, I will never stop doing anything for you
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joseph A Burke, Al Dubin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Herson Lamolli
It has been 55 years I haven't heard this beautiful song. From earth thank you Ricky again.
soxwina
one of my 1st singles+ I lost it about 50 years ago.
Herson Lamolli
@soxwina I still got the original 45 rpm. Side two is That's all she wrote
eliza consuegra
Not only deep masculine voices, but really manly looks. Ricky was a very handsome man back in those days. A real hearthrobe
Michael Rauch
Even that I am Younger I agree that Ricky was a great Singer. I am curious that this Song doesn't have more Fame on YouTube. It was one of the very big Hits in 1964 in fact.
Giovanni Antonio
AFTER SOME 50+ YRS still one of my top 10 favs! the sad part is that most people including my wife, i've mentioned this song to, look at me like i've 3 heads! thanks for posting this and i agree, great audio and vid!
Edward McCann
Giovanni Antonio sad
Matthew McCarthy
"Over the highway and over the street, carpets of clover I'll lay at your feet". Well said Ricky! And thanks for uploading this vid! AWESOME audio btw!
Derek Myers
This is fantastic. I always liked Ricky's easy-going lazy rhythms and slack tempos.
Anthony Wiertel
Rick was the best! A true icon as was his family and their tv show!