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.
Gypsy Woman
Rick Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look in your crystal ball and tell me where my baby's gone
(Hey gypsy woman hey gypsy woman)
Hey gypsy woman (hey hey hey gypsy woman)
Look in your crystal ball and tell me if my baby's comin' home
(Hey gypsy woman hey gypsy woman)
She left one night like the wind she was gone
I don't know why but I know that I'm alone
Just lead the way gypsy woman and I'll go
Hey gypsy woman (hey hey hey gypsy woman)
Look in your crystal ball and tell me what my future will be
(Hey gypsy woman hey gypsy woman)
Hey gypsy woman (hey hey hey gypsy woman)
Look in your crystal ball and tell me if you see her with me
(Hey gypsy woman hey gypsy woman)
[ guitar ]
She left one night like the wind she was gone
I don't know why but I know that I'm alone
If it was me that made her leave I want to know
Just lead the way gypsy woman and I'll go
Hey hey hey gypsy woman (hey hey hey gypsy woman)
Look in your crystal ball and tell me what my future will be
Hey hey hey gypsy woman (hey hey hey gypsy woman)
Look in your crystal ball and tell me if you see her with me
(Hey gypsy woman hey gypsy woman)
In Rick Nelson's song "Gypsy Woman," the singer is seeking guidance from a gypsy woman. He is searching for answers about his lost love and hopes that the gypsy woman can use her crystal ball to locate her. He is distraught over the fact that she left him suddenly and without explanation. He is longing for her return and questions whether or not he is the reason for her departure.
The song captures the feeling of helplessness and desperation that can come with heartbreak. The singer is willing to do anything to regain his love and is willing to trust the advice of someone he may not know well. By asking the gypsy woman to look into her crystal ball he is searching for some form of hope or clarity.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey gypsy woman
The singer is calling out to the gypsy woman for her assistance.
(hey hey hey gypsy woman)
The singer is emphasizing his plea for the gypsy woman's help.
Look in your crystal ball and tell me where my baby's gone
The singer is asking the gypsy woman to use her mystical abilities and reveal the whereabouts of his lover.
Hey gypsy woman
The singer is once again calling out to the gypsy woman for her assistance.
(hey hey hey gypsy woman)
The singer wants to reinforce his plea for help.
Look in your crystal ball and tell me if my baby's comin' home
The singer urgently seeks to know whether his lover will return.
She left one night like the wind she was gone
The singer's lover left without warning.
I don't know why but I know that I'm alone
The singer is puzzled and heartbroken by his lover's departure.
If it was me that made her leave I want to know
The singer wonders if his behavior caused his lover to leave and seeks the truth.
Just lead the way gypsy woman and I'll go
The singer is willing to follow the gypsy woman's guidance to find his lover and discover the reason for her departure.
Hey gypsy woman
The singer again calls out to the gypsy woman for her assistance.
(hey hey hey gypsy woman)
The singer continues to plead for her help.
Look in your crystal ball and tell me what my future will be
The singer is concerned about what lies ahead for him.
Hey gypsy woman
The singer is still asking the gypsy woman for her assistance.
(hey hey hey gypsy woman)
The singer emphasizes his plea.
Look in your crystal ball and tell me if you see her with me
The singer wants to know if his lover will return to him and be reunited.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BURNETTE, OSBORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Doug H. in VA
He was a true rock and roll star : handsome, fantastic voice quality and phrasing. and he knew how to move and looked romantic all effortlessly... There was never anyone like Rick Nelson.
Jesse Gallego
He was cool too.
Maureen McGovern
He was my first crush.
Kim
I found another Rick Nelson.... @curiosityincorperated
bart8462
This song and String Along are his two best songs. . He could sing , really sing. The most underated singer of the 60's
Maureen McGovern
Rick was done in by a group from England.
Dale Herman
Love me some 'String Along'. Had an old Glen Campbell album where he covered it.
Woody Alain
This song is incredible. Absolutely everything in it is magical.
MrGoldenthroat
Woody - I feel similarly! It is an incredible, magical tune to be sure!!
Marilyn Stevenson
I love this song..simple as that. Ricky Nelson is wonderful singing this...terrific. So sad!!