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.
A Wonder Like You
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
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I've sailed along the rivers of Peru
I've seen the world and all its Seven Wonders
But I've never seen a wonder like you
Far away across the ocean blue
I've seen the island beauties of Hawaii
But I've never seen a beauty like you
I've gazed at the White Cliffs Of Dover
There's not a place I didn't see
Now that my travels are over
I wish you had been there with me
I've seen the pretty dancing girls of Siam
The happy Polynesian people too
But they're not as happy as I am
'Cause they haven't got a wonder like you
I've gazed at the White Cliffs Of Dover
There's not a place I didn't see
Now that my travels are over
I wish you had been there with me
I've seen the pretty dancing girls of Siam
The happy Polynesian people too
But they're not as happy as I am
'Cause they haven't got a wonder like you
They haven't got a wonder like you
No, they haven't got a wonder like you
No, they haven't got a wonder like you
In "Wonder Like You," Ricky Nelson describes the numerous wonders he has seen all over the world- the white mountains of Alaska, the rivers of Peru, the pyramids of Egypt, the island beauties of Hawaii. Despite all of this, he has never seen a wonder as great as the person he is singing to. He wishes that they had been there with him to experience all he has seen, yet it's clear that in his eyes, this person is more important than any place or scenery he has visited.
The song speaks to the idea that although there may be countless beautiful and amazing things to see and experience in the world, nothing compares to the love and admiration someone has for another person. Even the most stunning scenery in the world can't hold a candle to the feeling of being with someone special. This sentiment is something that many people can relate to.
Interestingly, "Wonder Like You" was not released as a single initially. It was only after the rise of "Travelin' Man," another one of his songs about traveling, that "Wonder Like You" was released as the B-side. It went on to become a massive hit in its own right, and is still considered one of Ricky Nelson's greatest songs.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen the snow white mountains of Alaska
I have seen the beauty and majesty of Alaska's snow white mountains.
I've sailed along the rivers of Peru
I have traveled the rivers of Peru and experienced their unique natural splendor.
I've seen the world and all its Seven Wonders
I have traveled extensively and visited all of the world's most impressive and renowned landmarks.
But I've never seen a wonder like you
Despite all the wondrous things I have seen, none of them compare to the beauty and wonder of the person I am addressing.
I've stood upon the pyramids of Egypt
I have visited the ancient pyramids of Egypt and witnessed their grandeur and significance.
Far away across the ocean blue
These pyramids were located far away from my hometown, across the vast ocean and in a different world.
I've seen the island beauties of Hawaii
I have seen the natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands, with their lush forests and stunning beaches.
But I've never seen a beauty like you
None of these natural wonders can compare to the beauty and allure of the person being addressed in the song.
I've gazed at the White Cliffs Of Dover
I have witnessed the stunning White Cliffs of Dover, a symbol of England's natural beauty and historical significance.
There's not a place I didn't see
I have traveled extensively and visited a wide range of different locations around the world.
Now that my travels are over
Despite all of my travels, I have now returned home and my adventures have come to an end.
I wish you had been there with me
Throughout my travels, I couldn't help imagining how much better they would have been if the person being addressed had been there to share in the experience with me.
The happy Polynesian people too
I have spent time with the happy and welcoming people of Polynesia, experiencing their unique culture.
But they're not as happy as I am
Despite the happiness of the Polynesian people, none of them are as happy as I am when I am with the person being addressed in the song.
'Cause they haven't got a wonder like you
None of the Polynesian people, or anyone else in the world, possess the wonder and beauty of the person being addressed.
No, they haven't got a wonder like you
In case there is any doubt, the artist reiterates that nobody in the world possesses the same level of wonder and beauty as the person being addressed.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JERRY FULLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Huong Bui
I've seen the snow-white mountains of Alaska
I've sailed along the rivers of Peru
I've seen the world and all its Seven Wonders
But I've never seen a wonder like you
I've stood upon the pyramids of Egypt
Far away across the ocean blue
I've seen the island beauties of Hawaii
But I've never seen a beauty like you
I've gazed at the White Cliffs Of Dover
There's not a place I didn't see
Now that my travels are over
I wish you had been there with me
I've seen the pretty dancing girls of Siam
The happy Polynesian people, too
But they're not as happy as I am
'Cause they haven't got a wonder like you
I've gazed at the White Cliffs Of Dover
There's not a place I didn't see
Now that my travels are over
I wish you had been there with me
I've seen the pretty dancing girls of Siam
The happy Polynesian people, too
But they're not as happy as I am
'Cause they haven't got a wonder like you
They haven't got a wonder like you
No, they haven't got a wonder like you
No, they haven't got a wonder like you
Cynthia Ennis
He sings this so beautifully! I love his range & the sweetness in his voice. Seems it came from his heart/core of beingness.
Christine Lake
Plus, he was so cute!
yvonne vaz saxena
Love listening to these old beautiful songs. Wish we could have those years again.
Daniel Burkett
Out of all the songs by Ricky Nelson, THIS is my favorite. Ricky sings with such tenderness and emotion, it seems like he's not trying too hard to do it.
Mari Jo O'Neill
That voice and face. I swooned as I was In 7th grade. Gone too soonm
Ted Crim
A soft, easy listening song from the early sixties by the great Ricky Nelson. His songs were always innocent, melodic, capturing the ups and downs of young love. Ricky Nelson earned his place in the annuls of American pop music and that place is assured in perpetuity.
Parbatee Ramtahal
Love this song since my teenage years... luv you Rick.
Danny Willis
It doesn't get much better than this. Absolutely brilliant.
Tonithenightowl
One of our best teenage idols. Great singer and underrated by far.
Anna L. Vajda
There is no better than him.