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.
Break My Chain
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
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I got a body full of pain, I'm tired of being your clown
Oh there's a whole lotta fishes
In the deep blue sea, blue sea, blue sea
Baby don't keep 'em waiting, 'cause they're waitin' for me
At the drive-in-movie, every place in town
People see you with another, out runnin' around
Ain't gonna burn no more, no more, no more
Won't you break my chain, baby open that door
Oh won't you break my chain, baby set me free
'Cause I've had about enough of this misery
You've been spendin' my cash, talkin' that trash
All over town
Won't you break my chain, don't turn me down
Don't turn me down
Baby don't turn me down
The lyrics of Ricky Nelson’s song, “Break My Chain” are about a man pleading with his woman to release him from the emotional pain and humiliation of their relationship. The man is worn out from being considered a “clown” and having his heart broken, as his partner continues to date other men. The man is asking her to release him from the burden of their relationship so he can move on and find someone who appreciates him. He acknowledges that there are other fish in the sea, which could be taken to mean that he knows there are other women out there for him. The man also alludes to the fact that he’s spent so much money on the woman, but her deflection of guilt is through talking trash about him all over town.
The lyrics could be interpreted in several ways. The man’s plea may be a cry for help from someone who is experiencing emotional abuse in a relationship. It could also be seen as an acknowledgment of the harsh reality of a romantic situation in which one person is more invested than the other. Ultimately, the song is a heartbreaking reflection on the painful experience of having to let go of someone you love when you no longer feel loved in return.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh won't you break my chain, don't turn me down
Please free me from this bondage; don't reject me
I got a body full of pain, I'm tired of being your clown
My heart is aching; I'm tired of being your fool
Oh there's a whole lotta fishes
There are many other opportunities
In the deep blue sea, blue sea, blue sea
Out there, waiting to be caught
Baby don't keep 'em waiting, 'cause they're waitin' for me
Please don't keep them waiting for too long because I am eager to leave
At the drive-in-movie, every place in town
Everyone is watching us
People see you with another, out runnin' around
People are observing you with someone else, having fun outside
Oh well the coal in the fireplace
Our love has lost its flame
Ain't gonna burn no more, no more, no more
It's over, and the love we once shared is gone
Won't you break my chain, baby open that door
Please release me from this burden; allow me to leave
Oh won't you break my chain, baby set me free
Please remove this shackle from me; set me free
'Cause I've had about enough of this misery
I've been through enough suffering
You've been spendin' my cash, talkin' that trash
You've been wasting my money and gossiping about me
All over town
Everywhere
Don't turn me down
Please don't reject me
Baby don't turn me down
Please don't reject me, my love
Contributed by Chloe S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.