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.
Hello Mary Lou Goodbye Heart
Rick Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweet Mary Lou I'm so in love with you
I knew Mary Lou we'd never part
So hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
I saw your lips I heard your voice
Believe me I just had no choice
Wild horses couldn't make me stay away
My arms about good an' tight
That's all I had to see for me to say
I said, "Hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
Sweet Mary Lou I'm so in love with you
I knew Mary Lou we'd never part
So hello Mary Lou goodbye heart, yeah"
I saw your lips I heard your voice
Believe me I just had no choice
Wild horses couldn't make me stay away
I thought about a moonlit night
My arms about good an' tight
That's all I had to see for me to say
I said, "Hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
Sweet Mary Lou I'm so in love with you
I knew Mary Lou we'd never part
So hello Mary Lou goodbye heart"
Yes, hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
Well, hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
The song “Hello Mary Lou Goodbye Heart” was originally recorded by the iconic rock 'n' roll singer Rick Nelson in 1961. The song is a classic love song that tells the story of a man who is deeply in love with a woman named Mary Lou, to the point where he has to say goodbye to his heart because he is so consumed by his love for her. The lyrics express his deep feelings for her, and how he can't resist her charms and simply couldn't stay away. The line “Wild horses couldn't make me stay away” emphasizes the strength of his love for her.
The song has a strong rock 'n' roll sound to it, with a catchy guitar riff that accentuates the feeling of being swept away by love. The lyrics are simple but effective, and manage to convey a lot of emotion in a short amount of time. The repetition of the chorus, with the lines "Hello Mary Lou goodbye heart" and “Sweet Mary Lou I'm so in love with you” helps to create a sense of urgency and passion.
In conclusion, “Hello Mary Lou Goodbye Heart” is an iconic love song that has stood the test of time. It captures the youthful energy and passion of early rock 'n' roll, and is a testament to the enduring power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
Greeting Mary Lou and acknowledging the end of my love for anyone else
Sweet Mary Lou I'm so in love with you
Expressing my adoration and affection for Mary Lou
I knew Mary Lou we'd never part
Being confident that Mary Lou and I will have a lasting relationship
So hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
Repeating my earlier statement and emphasizing my new focus on Mary Lou
I saw your lips I heard your voice
Describing my attraction and desire for Mary Lou based on her physical appearance and speech
Believe me I just had no choice
Implying that I am now powerless to resist Mary Lou's charms
Wild horses couldn't make me stay away
Stressing that no force or obstacle could keep me from being with Mary Lou
I thought about a moonlit night
Recalling a romantic image of a moonlit evening to highlight my feelings for Mary Lou
My arms about good an' tight
Envisioning a physical embrace with Mary Lou that conveys my desire for closeness
That's all I had to see for me to say
Asserting that my attraction to Mary Lou was immediate and undeniable
Yes, hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
Reiterating that my heart is now fully devoted to Mary Lou instead of anyone else
Well, hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
Finalizing my decision to pursue a relationship with Mary Lou and leave behind past loves
Contributed by Scarlett F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mls.us.y-ram4076
My name is Mary Louise, but most of the time i went by Mary. But on my sweet 16 birthday, which was on Valentine's Day, as I was headed for the school lunchroom, looking for my favorite place, I heard, (over the loud speaker) my favorite song, "Hello Mary Lou"!! What? Wow! I got so excited and happy, I wanted to just stop right there and dance to my song with this cool groovy beat. What a complete surprise this was. In fact I went so far as to think, what surprise is next? Am I going to look around and see Ricky Nelson himself, singing his #1 song to me on this special birthday? O to be young again. And to hear those songs that will never grow old. I may, but they never will. Yes Ricky Nelson, was and still is my all time favorite singer. Thanks for letting me share this special moment in my life. 💃
@linwoodkent1246
@mls.us.y-ram4076 Happy Birthday Mary Lou (ise) and God Bless
@ivanmay7890
I grew up with a grandmother who listened religiously to Ricky Nelson, and as such Hello Mary Lou was constantly playing on the record player.
@paulrosebush9137
Lucky you! Raised right. ;)
@samallen83
Played this at my moms funeral since her name was Mary Lou. Rip mom 1947-2018
@rhondaboncutter5812
I am sure she heard it! I love this music! Born in early 50's! Loved all the years of music I got to enjoy and still do! But love the oldies best!
@berniecioffoletti3398
My deepest sympathies. 🙏
@mikehebert6721
Bernard Cioffoletti, Jr. Condolences sir
@NMB1984
❤❤❤
@bobrichie8782
Good son, prayers on loss