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.
Congratulations
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
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You are no part of me even started lying to me
If you started out to break this heart inside of me
Congratulations to you dear you're doing fine
I pass you on the street you don't speak to me
You just look at me then you walk away from me
And if you started out to make a fool of me
Well you should be commanded for the sorrow you cause me
How does it feel to be the Queen of Misery
If you started out to break this heart inside of me
Congratulations to you dear you're doing fine
[ guitar ]
Well you should be commanded...
Congratulations to you dear you're doing fine
The lyrics of the song "Congratulations" by Ricky Nelson is about a lover who is growing tired and removing themselves from the relationship. The singer expresses his disappointment with his lover's actions, pointing out that she is no longer truthful with him and is trying to break his heart. The chorus of the song is almost sarcastic, as the singer congratulates his lover on the progress she has made in hurting him.
The verses focus on the disconnect and coldness between the couple. The singer recounts how he passes her on the street without a glance or greeting, which suggests that they are no longer interested in each other. The singer's plan is to move on and get to a place where he is no longer affected by her actions. He says she should be commended for the sorrow she has caused him and asks how it feels to be the Queen of Misery. The lyrics are a classic example of 1960s pop music with catchy tunes, pleasant melodies with thought-provoking lyrics.
Overall, the song "Congratulations" by Ricky Nelson is a bittersweet lament about a failed relationship. The singer acknowledges that it's better to move on than stay in a situation where love is absent, and the sarcastic chorus applauds his former lover for achieving this goal.
Line by Line Meaning
I can tell that you're already growing tired of me
It's clear to me that you're losing interest and becoming tired of our relationship.
You are no part of me even started lying to me
You've become distant and untrustworthy, signaling the end of our connection.
If you started out to break this heart inside of me
If your intention was to hurt and damage me emotionally from the beginning, without any genuine feelings for me, then you're succeeding.
Congratulations to you dear you're doing fine
Congratulations for achieving your goal of causing me pain and suffering, you're doing it really well.
I pass you on the street you don't speak to me
When we cross paths, you ignore me and pretend like you don't know me.
You just look at me then you walk away from me
Your eyes tell me all I need to know, it's clear that you're done with me and our relationship.
And if you started out to make a fool of me
If your aim was to make me look stupid and foolish, then congratulations for succeeding in that too.
Well you should be commanded for the sorrow you cause me
You should be applauded for the pain and heartache you've caused me, great job.
How does it feel to be the Queen of Misery
Do you enjoy being this miserable and causing misery to others? You must be the queen of it then.
If you started out to break this heart inside of me
If your goal from the start was to break my heart, then you've succeeded, congratulations.
Congratulations to you dear you're doing fine
Once again, congratulations on your success and great performance in causing me emotional pain and heartbreak.
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