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.
Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And miss it each night and day
I know I'm not wrong, the feeling's getting stronger
The longer I stay away
Miss the moss-covered vines, tall sugar pines
Where mockingbirds used to sing
I'd love to see that old lazy Mississippi
The moonlight on the bayou
A Creole tune that fills the air
I dream about magnolias in bloom
And I'm wishin' I was there
Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
When that's where you left your heart
And there's one thing more, I miss the one I care for
More than I miss New Orleans
Ricky Nelson's Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans is a heartfelt ballad about the longing and nostalgia that one feels when far away from their beloved. The song opens with the singer questioning if the listener understands what it means to miss the vibrant city of New Orleans. He then goes on to confess how he himself longs for the city's native sounds and sights, and misses it more with each passing day.
The song holds a special meaning to those who have visited New Orleans as the lyrics describe the city's unique charm. The words paint picturesque imagery of tall sugar pines and moss-covered vines that line the city's streets, the sweet music of the mockingbirds, and the magnolias in bloom. The mention of the old lazy Mississippi river hurrying into spring also evokes a sense of nostalgia for the rich cultural heritage of the city. The river has been a lifeline for New Orleans for centuries and holds a special place in the hearts of those who call this city home.
The poignant lyrics also touch upon the romantic and emotional connections that the singer had with someone in New Orleans. He misses the one he cares for more than he misses the city itself, and this adds an extra layer of sadness to the song. The ballad's emotive delivery is underscored by the sweet melody and the way Nelson sings the lyrics with both passion and tenderness.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
The feeling of missing New Orleans is intense and hard to describe.
And miss it each night and day
The feeling of missing New Orleans persists throughout the day and night.
I know I'm not wrong, the feeling's getting stronger
The feeling of missing New Orleans is not a mistake and is growing stronger over time.
The longer I stay away
The longer the artist is away from New Orleans, the stronger the feeling of missing it becomes.
Miss the moss-covered vines, tall sugar pines
The artist misses the natural beauty and greenery of New Orleans such as the moss-covered vines and tall sugar pines.
Where mockingbirds used to sing
The singer fondly remembers the sound of mockingbirds singing in New Orleans.
I'd love to see that old lazy Mississippi
The singer misses the slow and lazy flow of the Mississippi river.
Hurrying into Spring
The artist imagines the Mississippi rushing towards the spring season.
The moonlight on the bayou
The artist misses the beautiful moonlit nights on the bayou in New Orleans.
A Creole tune that fills the air
The artist remembers the sweet sound of Creole music that was always present in New Orleans.
I dream about magnolias in bloom
The singer dreams of the magnolias in full bloom that are unique to New Orleans.
And I'm wishin' I was there
The artist strongly wishes to return to New Orleans.
When that's where you left your heart
New Orleans is the place where the singer's heart belongs since it holds so many happy memories.
And there's one thing more, I miss the one I care for
Apart from missing New Orleans, the singer misses someone special who is dear to their heart.
More than I miss New Orleans
The singer misses the person they care for even more than they miss New Orleans.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION , THE SONGWRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA
Written by: EDDIE DE LANGE, LOUIS ALTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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