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.
True Love
Rick Nelson Lyrics
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And on and on it will always be true love
For you and I have a guardian angel on high with nothing to do
But to give to you and to give to me love forever true
I give to you and you give to me love forever true
For you and I have a guardian angel on high with nothing to do
But to give to you and to give to me love forever true
In Rick Nelson's song 'Your True Love,' he sings about the purity and endurance of true love. The lyrics convey a reciprocal and selfless love between two individuals that is blessed and protected by a guardian angel. The repetition of "true love" emphasizes the depth and sincerity of the emotion being conveyed. Nelson's lyrics suggest that this love is everlasting and will continue to grow, "on and on it will always be true love."
The reference to a guardian angel suggests the presence of a higher power that is watching over and protecting the love between the two individuals. The phrase "with nothing to do" implies that this angel is solely dedicated to ensuring the success and longevity of the love between the two individuals. The lyrics also suggest that true love is not just about receiving, but it is also about giving, as the couple gives their love to each other endlessly.
Overall, the song 'Your True Love' conveys a message of trust, devotion, and pure love that is built to last. It is a beautiful song that speaks to the heart of what true love is all about.
Line by Line Meaning
I give to you and you give to me true love true love
We both have the ability to give each other genuine, authentic love.
And on and on it will always be true love
Our love will never diminish or fade away; it will remain constant forever.
For you and I have a guardian angel on high with nothing to do
There is a divine force watching over us, ensuring that our love remains pure and strong.
But to give to you and to give to me love forever true
This guardian angel exists solely to bless us with everlasting love.
I give to you and you give to me love forever true
Our love is not just genuine and strong, but it will also last for eternity.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind