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.
Everybody but Me
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody's got alove they're sharin'
Everybody, everybody but me
v
Everybody is gettin' ready
Everybody is goin' steady
Everybody, everybody but me
I stay home on Friday night
Go to bed at eight
On Saturday nights I'm all alone
'Cause I don't have a date
Everybody's out romancin'
Havin' fun and goin' dancin'
Everybody, everybody but me
I stay home on Friday night
Go to bed at eight
On Saturday nights I'm all alone
'Cause I don't have a date
Everybody's out romancin'
Havin' fun and goin' dancin'
Everybody, everybody but me
Everybody, everybody but me
The lyrics of Ricky Nelson’s song “Everybody but Me” touches on the theme of loneliness and the singer’s feeling of being left out from the experiences that others are having. The singer observes that those around them have someone to love and care for, or at least they seem to be in relationships. The lyrics express the singer’s sorrow in the line “Everybody, everybody, but me” which repeats throughout the song. Despite everyone appearing to be happy, the singer seems alone on Friday and Saturday nights.
The lyrics capture the emotions of feeling left out and disconnected from others, which can be a common feeling among people at some point or another. Through observing the apparent happiness of others, it can be easy to feel like we are missing out on something. The singer longs to be loved and have someone to share their time with, but instead, they remain in solitude.
Overall, the song Everybody but Me by Ricky Nelson is a touching and relatable song about feeling excluded and longing for companionship. It captures the vulnerability of the human experience and reminds the listener that loneliness can be universal.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's got somebody carin'
Everyone has someone who cares for them.
Everybody's got a love they're sharin'
Everyone has a love that they are sharing with someone else.
Everybody, everybody but me
Everyone has those things, except for me.
Everybody is gettin' ready
Everyone is preparing for something.
Everybody is goin' steady
Everyone is in a stable relationship.
I stay home on Friday night
I choose to stay at home on Friday nights.
Go to bed at eight
I go to bed early.
On Saturday nights I'm all alone
I am alone on Saturday nights.
'Cause I don't have a date
I do not have a romantic partner to spend time with.
Everybody's out romancin'
Everyone is out enjoying romantic activities.
Havin' fun and goin' dancin'
They are having fun and dancing with their partners.
Everybody, everybody but me
Everyone is enjoying themselves, except for me.
Everybody, everybody but me
Again, everyone is enjoying themselves, except for me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVE BURGESS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Otmar Müller
So pleasing to hear it - again and again!
Patrick Beck
I have loved the music of Rick Nelson ever since his early recordings. This was off his lp Rick is 21, which of all his wonderful albums is my favorite.
Tom Terrific
Thank you for the awesome uploads of Rick Nelson music. I've enjoyed the songs since I was 15 (a LONG time ago)!
Rebecca D
Love it fabulous
Pequinito
I remember this on an EP with Hello Mary Lou, Restless Kid and one other song. This song should have been released as a single, it'd have been a hit :)
Steve Carroll
Sounds like James Burton AND Floyd Cramer backing him up. What a class act.
Anna L. Vajda
I don't believe it lots of people loved Ricky.
barrygioportmorien1
Yeah, that's for sure, and "Restless Kid" is a great song also. Ricky had a lot of great songs.
JoAnn Brewer
Great sound on this one...Tks..!!
barrygioportmorien1
I think you are right on all counts, James, Floyd, and Class Act. Ricky had it all.