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.
My Babe
Rick Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh yeah, she don't stand no kissin', my babe
Well, my baby don't stand no kissin' 'cept when I'm
The one she's kissin', my babe, true little baby, my babe
Oh, my babe I know she love me, my babe
Oh yeah, I know she love me, my babe
Well, my babe I know she love me she don't do nothin'
Whoa, babe!
Yeah, my baby don't stand no foolin', my babe
Oh yeah, she don't stand no foolin', my baby
Well, my baby don't stand no foolin' when she's around
She's so darn coolin', my babe, true little baby, my babe
Yeah, baby!
Well, my baby don't stand no foolin', my babe
Oh yeah, she don't stand no foolin', my baby
Oh yeah, she don't stand no foolin' when she's around
She's so darn coolin', my babe, true little baby, my babe
Well my babe, true little baby, my babe
Well my babe, true little baby, my babe
The song "My Babe" by Rick Nelson is a fun and upbeat rock and roll tune about his girl who doesn't stand for any nonsense except when it comes to kissing him. The opening lines of the song say it all: "Well, my babe, don't stand no kissin', my babe, Oh yeah, she don't stand no kissin', my babe." The lyrics suggest that this girl is not interested in any other men and is only willing to kiss and hug Rick.
The second half of the song repeats the same sentiment with a slight variation: "Yeah, my baby don't stand no foolin', my babe, Oh yeah, she don't stand no foolin', my baby." Here, Nelson is expressing that his babe is not one to be trifled with, but only when she is around him does she let her guard down and show her true, loving side. The lyrics are simple and repetitive, but they capture the excitement of young love and the feeling of being with someone who truly understands and accepts you.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, my babe, don't stand no kissin', my babe
My girlfriend doesn't allow anyone else to kiss her except me.
Oh yeah, she don't stand no kissin', my babe
Absolutely no one can kiss my girlfriend except me.
Well, my baby don't stand no kissin' 'cept when I'm
The one she's kissin', my babe, true little baby, my babe
The only person my girlfriend is comfortable kissing is me, her true little baby.
Oh, my babe I know she love me, my babe
I know for sure that my girlfriend loves me.
Oh yeah, I know she love me, my babe
My girlfriend loves me and I have no doubts about it.
Well, my babe I know she love me she don't do nothin'
But kiss and hug me, my babe, true little baby, my babe
My girlfriend loves to show her affection by only kissing and hugging me, her true little baby.
Yeah, my baby don't stand no foolin', my babe
My girlfriend doesn't tolerate any games or insincerity.
Oh yeah, she don't stand no foolin', my baby
My girlfriend doesn't tolerate any kind of nonsense whatsoever.
Well, my baby don't stand no foolin' when she's around
She's so darn coolin', my babe, true little baby, my babe
My girlfriend is very level-headed, cool and collected and won't stand for any nonsense, and I love her for it.
Well my babe, true little baby, my babe
My girlfriend is the true little baby who loves me unconditionally, and I feel blessed to have her by my side.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Willie Dixon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheLeen61
Ricky does this song well! Like Little Walter's version, too!
Lyrics:
"My Babe"
Well, my babe, don't stand no kissin', my babe
Oh yeah, she don't stand no kissin', my babe
Well, my baby don't stand no kissin'
'Cept when I'm the one she's kissin'
My babe, true little baby, my babe
Oh, my babe I know she love me, my babe
Oh yeah, I know she love me, my babe
Well, my babe I know she love me
She don't do nothin' but kiss and hug me
My babe, true little baby, my babe
Woe, babe
Yeah, my baby don't stand no foolin', my babe
Oh yeah, she don't stand no foolin', my baby
Well, my baby don't stand no foolin'
When she's around she's so darn coolin'
My babe, true little baby, my babe
Hey, baby
Well, my baby don't stand no foolin', my babe
Oh yeah, she don't stand no foolin', my baby
Oh yeah, she don't stand no foolin'
When she's around she's so darn coolin'
My babe, true little baby, my babe
Well my babe, true little baby, my babe
Well my babe, true little baby, my babe
Ross Mullan
Always liked Little Walter's R and B recording, but Ricky nailed it with the rockabilly tempo. great guitar work too.
Susie196921
I always loved this song and now love it even better since hearing Rick Nelson sing it!
Jack Miller
Used to play this on a radio show I co-hosted in the 80's just to show listeners Ricky wasn't just a teen idol. The guy could and did really Rock!!!
stratandteleman
This has to be one of my all-time favourite tracks! Not bad for a 'B' side either.
willie otoole
Great record for a lot of reasons - probably Rick singing at his best; James playing two great solos that lodged in my brain and stayed there; and the record that led directly to my discovery of Black American music. Gonna play it again.
Mária Polgárné Szőke
WOOOW! R. I. P. Ricky NELSON, hé was a wonderful singer-guitarist, songwriter!🤗💓💎🎶🎙️🎸👌This lovely & famous songs!💖Great congrats!😊💓
JERRY SPATHIS
AWESOME !!! GREAT ROCKABILLY ARTIST,AND GUITARIST JAMES BURTON.
harphan
Superb song, love Richy Nelson !
harphan
Great singer ! love him.
Alan Blundell
One of my fav Ricky tracks and with 2 solos by James superb