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.
There's Not A Minute
Rick Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the afternoon when I meet our old friends
When I sit and have myself a lonely supper
Right up untill the blue, blue night ends
There's not a minute that it doesn't hurt me
How could you desert me, break my heart this way
And even when I'm sleeping, you come into my dreams
There's not a minute that it doesn't hurt
When I see two lovers run to meet each other
When I think of all our dreams that won't come true
When I realize I'll never love another
So many things dear, remind me of you
There's not a minute that it doesn't hurt me
How could you desert me, break my heart this way
And even when I'm sleeping, you come into my dreams
There's not a minute that it doesn't hurt
There's not a minute that it doesn't hurt
The lyrics in Rick Nelson's song "There's Not A Minute" exemplify the pain and heartache that comes with a breakup. Throughout the song, Nelson describes the various moments of his day when thoughts of his former lover creep into his mind. From waking up and seeing her picture, to meeting with old friends and having a lonely supper, all the way until the blue, blue night ends, he cannot escape the pain of her absence. Nelson expresses his disbelief and heartbreak at the way she left him, wondering how someone could desert him and break his heart.
The chorus of the song drives home the recurring theme that there is not a single minute when the pain doesn't hurt. Even in his dreams, thoughts of her invade his mind and leave him hurting. Nelson goes on to describe the pain that arises when he sees other couples, thinks of their unfulfilled dreams, and realizes he may never love another like he loved her. All of these moments serve to remind him of the love that he lost and the pain that she left behind.
Overall, the lyrics in "There's Not A Minute" are a testament to the pain of heartbreak and the difficulty of moving on. Through his words, Nelson beautifully captures the emotions that many people feel in the wake of a breakup.
Line by Line Meaning
In the morning when I wake and see your picture
Every morning, when I wake up and see a photo of you, it reminds me of the pain and hurt you caused me.
In the afternoon when I meet our old friends
As I meet our mutual friends in the afternoon, I can't help but think about the memories we shared and how you left me feeling broken.
When I sit and have myself a lonely supper
Even when I am alone during supper time, I can't help but think of you and the loneliness and pain that lingers in my heart.
Right up until the blue, blue night ends
The sadness and pain that you caused me lasts through the night and I can't escape from it until the morning comes again.
There's not a minute that it doesn't hurt me
Every minute of each day, the pain caused by your actions never ceases to affect me.
How could you desert me, break my heart this way
I can't fathom how you could have left me and broken my heart in such a cruel manner.
And even when I'm sleeping, you come into my dreams
Even in my unconscious state, my mind is constantly haunted by you and the pain you caused me.
When I see two lovers run to meet each other
As I witness two people in love greeting each other, it only reminds me of the love that we once shared and how it was all taken away from me.
When I think of all our dreams that won't come true
The unfulfilled dreams that we had together now only serve as a painful reminder of what could have been.
When I realize I'll never love another
I have come to terms with the fact that I will never be able to love someone else as deeply as I loved you.
So many things dear, remind me of you
There are countless objects and memories that serve as a constant reminder of the love that we once shared and the pain that now remains.
Contributed by Landon O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
29johnnyzl
The pain of losing someone you really really love continues hurting throughout eternity ... one of Rick's most beautiful songs which he sings with loving feelings ... cheers for posting this one *****s
RickysChannel1
Thank you for your nice comment. You're welcome !
Belvin Sweat
Wonderful song.
barrygioportmorien1
Another fantastic song by Ricky.
Pat Holley
Great track. Deserved a high chart position.
Moe McGovern
Taken way too soon. RIP Ricky Nelson
Kurt Miller
the irrepressible ricky
RickysChannel1
Kurt Miller
You're absolutely right 👍