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.
Poor Loser
Rick Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why did you run away with someone new
Everybody know's I'm strong but I just can't take it
'Cause I'm a poor loser when it comes to losing you
If I were a king and I lost my riches
I know that it wouldn't break my heart in two
Now my hearts in little bitty pieces
Many people lose, some are winners
So I'm left to face this world alone
This is not a game for beginners
But you were the very first love I've ever known
I know I shouldn't let you see me crying
But I feel so bad that I don't know what to do
I guess I'll hide my tears and keep on trying
'Cause I'm a poor loser when it comes to losing you
Many people lose, some are winners
So I'm left to face this world alone
This is not a game for beginners
But you were the very first love I've ever known
I know I shouldn't let you see me crying
But I feel so bad that I don't know what to do
I guess I'll hide my tears and keep on trying
'Cause I'm a poor loser when it comes to losing you
Yes I'm a poor loser when it comes to losing you
Well I'm a poor loser when it comes to losing you
In Rick Nelson's "Poor Loser" the singer laments the end of a relationship, expressing his deep sadness, hurt, and vulnerability at the loss of the love he once had. The song is framed in terms of a game or competition, where some people lose and some people win, but for the singer losing this relationship is particularly devastating. He asks his former love why she had to break his heart and run away, and notes that while he might be able to handle other losses in life, losing her has left him in pieces. He acknowledges that he shouldn't let her see him cry, but can't help feeling so bad that he doesn't know what to do.
The metaphor of losing in a game or competition is particularly resonant for the singer, as he notes that he is a "poor loser" when it comes to losing this particular love. He acknowledges that this is not a game for beginners, and that she was the first love he ever knew. The emphasis on competition and winning/losing brings up the idea of power dynamics within a relationship, perhaps suggesting that the singer feels he was at a disadvantage or that his former partner held more sway. Overall, the song paints a portrait of deep heartbreak and emotional devastation, with the singer struggling to come to terms with the loss of a love he thought would last forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Why did you have to take my heart and break it
I am hurt and heartbroken that you left me for someone else
Why did you run away with someone new
I am confused and wondering why you had to go and find someone else
Everybody know's I'm strong but I just can't take it
I am usually a strong person but this heartbreak has made me feel weak and vulnerable
'Cause I'm a poor loser when it comes to losing you
I find it hard to cope when I lose the person I love
If I were a king and I lost my riches
If I had wealth and power and lost it, it wouldn't hurt me as much as losing you
I know that it wouldn't break my heart in two
Losing material things would be less painful than losing the person I love
Now my hearts in little bitty pieces
My heart has been shattered into tiny fragments by losing you
Many people lose, some are winners
In life, some people come out on top, while others don't
So I'm left to face this world alone
After losing you, I feel lonely and like I have to face the world by myself
This is not a game for beginners
Life is not easy, and it takes a strong person to face its challenges
But you were the very first love I've ever known
You were my first love, and losing you has been especially difficult for me
I know I shouldn't let you see me crying
I know I should try to hide my emotions and not let you see me feeling sad
But I feel so bad that I don't know what to do
I am overwhelmed by my emotions and don't know how to handle them
I guess I'll hide my tears and keep on trying
I will try to hide my pain and keep moving forward
'Cause I'm a poor loser when it comes to losing you
Losing you has made me feel defeated and like I have lost the game of love
Yes I'm a poor loser when it comes to losing you
I find it hard to cope when I lose the person I love
Well I'm a poor loser when it comes to losing you
Losing you has been especially difficult for me, and I'm not handling it well
Contributed by Caden M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
David Chernofsky
Poor LoserWritten-By – Jerry Fuller