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.
Are You Really Real?
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
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Do you feel the same thing
That I do girl when I touch you girl?
Am I just a fool to think
That you could ever love me
Like I love you, I really do?
And tell you that I love you girl
It's a lonely world
Please don't walk away
There's so much I meant to say
Thought you'd like to know
I love you so
Are you really mine?
Am I just someone for you
To pass the time away
Just another day?
Are you really real?
Do you feel the same thing
That I do girl when I touch you girl?
The lyrics of "Are You Really Real?" by Ricky Nelson describe the confusion and uncertainty in a relationship where one person is unsure if their partner feels the same level of love and commitment as they do. The singer questions whether the person they're with is truly in love with them, or if they're just going through the motions of a relationship and using them as a way to pass the time. Despite their doubts, they express their love openly and honestly, hoping that their partner will reciprocate their feelings and put their fears to rest.
The repetition of the lyric "Are you really real?" underscores the singer's uncertainty and longing for reassurance. They want to know if their partner is genuine in their affection and commitment or if they're just pretending. The fear of being used or taken for granted is palpable in the lyrics, as the singer desperately searches for signs that their feelings are being returned.
Overall, "Are You Really Real?" is a poignant exploration of the vulnerability and doubt that can come with being in love, and the importance of open communication and honesty in any relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you really real?
Is this all too good to be true? Am I really experiencing what I think I am?
Do you feel the same thing
That I do girl when I touch you girl?
When we touch, do you feel the same level of emotion and connection that I do?
Am I just a fool to think
That you could ever love me
Like I love you, I really do?
Am I deluding myself by believing that you could ever return my feelings in the same manner that I have for you?
I walk in the room, I speak to you
And tell you that I love you girl
It's a lonely world
Despite the comfort of speaking with you and expressing my love, being emotionally invested in someone who may not reciprocate creates a sense of loneliness.
Please don't walk away
There's so much I meant to say
Thought you'd like to know
I love you so
I fear losing you and regret not expressing my love to you more fully. I want you to know just how intense my feelings are for you.
Are you really mine?
Am I just someone for you
To pass the time away
Just another day?
Do you value our relationship the same way that I do, or am I simply a way for you to kill time and pass the day?
Are you really real?
Do you feel the same thing
That I do girl when I touch you girl?
I cannot shake the fear that what we have is too good to be true, but when we touch, do you share the same level of passion and connection that I do?
Writer(s): RICK NELSON
Contributed by Kylie J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.