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.
Be-Bop Baby
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A be bop baby, she's the gal for me
She got plenty of rhythm, got plenty of jive
And when we dance we really come alive
My love for her's so tender and sweet
My heart starts poundin' ev'ry time we meet
Just as sweet as she can be
A be bop baby in her old blue jeans
Is the be bop baby for me, a be bop baby for me
A be bop baby, a be bop baby
A be bop baby, she's the gal for me
I'm gonna find her tonight, we're gonna have a time
I want that baby to be mine all mine
A big day's comin' for my baby and me
The day she says she belongs to me
A be bop baby still in her teens
Just as sweet as she can be
A be bop baby in her old blue jeans
Is the be bop baby for me, a be bop baby for me
A be bop baby, a be bop baby
A be bop baby, she's the gal for me
She got plenty of rhythm, got plenty of jive
And when we dance we really come alive
My love for her's so tender and sweet
My heart starts poundin' ev'ry time we meet
A be bop baby still in her teens
Just as sweet as she can be
A be bop baby in her old blue jeans
Is the be bop baby for me, a be bop baby for me
A be bop baby for me
The lyrics of Ricky Nelson's song Be-Bop Baby tell the story of a boy who is enamored with a girl who is a 'be bop baby.' He describes her as having plenty of rhythm and energy and how he comes alive when they dance together. He is in love with her tenderness and sweetness, and his heart pounds every time they meet. He dreams of finding her and making her his, and looks forward to the day she says she belongs to him. In his eyes, there is no one else who can match the be bop baby.
The song highlights the energy and excitement of the be bop music scene of the 1950s. It was released in 1957, and the lyrics capture the youthful spirit and rebelliousness of teenagers of that era. The song was a classic example of rockabilly music, which emerged in the mid-1950s as a blend of rock n' roll and country music. It features the characteristic sound of the genre, with a steady beat and a guitar-driven melody.
Line by Line Meaning
A be bop baby, a be bop baby
This girl he's singing about is a true be-bop baby who captures his heart and attention.
She's the gal for me
She is the one he desires and wants to be with.
She got plenty of rhythm, got plenty of jive
She has a lot of energy and charisma when she dances.
And when we dance we really come alive
Their energy together when they dance is electric and sparks fly.
My love for her's so tender and sweet
He cares for her deeply and their love is gentle and kind.
My heart starts poundin' ev'ry time we meet
Every time he sees her, his heart races with excitement and joy.
A be bop baby still in her teens
She's a young girl who's full of life and vitality.
Just as sweet as she can be
She is innocent and pure, with a kind spirit.
A be bop baby in her old blue jeans
Even when she's dressed casually, she exudes confidence and beauty.
Is the be bop baby for me, a be bop baby for me
This specific girl is the one that he loves and wants to be with.
I'm gonna find her tonight, we're gonna have a time
He is eager to see her tonight and spend time with her.
I want that baby to be mine all mine
He wants her to belong exclusively to him and nobody else.
A big day's comin' for my baby and me
There's a significant event or moment in their relationship that's approaching.
The day she says she belongs to me
When she chooses to be his partner, it will be a meaningful and exciting moment.
A be bop baby for me
He truly believes that this girl embodies the spirit of be-bop, and she's the one he wants to be with.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PEARL LENDHURST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
a little red dot in a sea of blue
Rick got my attention with this one and it's a favorite of mine to this day.
PineWine
Ricky Nelson - under rated, under appreciated.... one of my favorites
Kathryn Layfield
I remember watching "Ozzie and Harriet", I was in elementary school. I thought Ricky was so good looking, I wanted to be his girlfriend! He was a real heart throb!
TheLeonhamm
Very sugar poppy, I like it even if Ricky didn't enjoy doing it live .. Hey! it is Ricky Nelson, so of course, I like it. Not 'Stood Up' or 'Poor Little Fool' but still it is Perfect Pop.
Playbyplaymedia
The EP with "Be-Bop Baby" included "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You," "Honeycomb," & "Boppin' the Blues."
RedEyedLloyd
The picture looks exactly like the 45-rpm vinyl we had in the late 1960's. We were children, dancing around the room, singing it as "A be-bop baby still in her teeth is as sweet as she can be-ee-ee...a be-bop baby in all her teeth is the be-bop baby for me." I figured the old gal had to be at least sixty.
belubettlo
I think "teeth" should read "teens".
Steven Wells
I'm guessing the inspiration for "Be Bop Baby" came from from the Jimmy Bowen/Buddy Knox song "I'm Sticking With You", which was released 9 months before this.
BEYTULLAH ÇELEBİ
İn my opinion its rockabilly. İts not rockn roll 😉 He had different and interesting style. RIP
ginny white
funny thing i understand that Ricky Hated this song and would never do it live