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.
For You
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For you, yes baby for you
I'll make a string of pearls out of the dew
For you, yes baby for you
Over the highway and over the street
Carpets of clover I'll lay at your feet
I wouldn't do, for you, yes baby for you
Over the highway and over the street
Carpets of clover I'll lay at your feet
Oh well it's nothing in this world
I wouldn't do, for you, yes baby for you
I wouldn't do, yes baby for you
Oh I wouldn't do, yes baby for you
Oh I wouldn't do, yes baby for you
Ricky Nelson's song "For You" is a sweet and romantic declaration of love, where the singer promises to do anything for his beloved. The opening lines, "I will gather stars out of the blue, For you, yes baby for you" sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer uses metaphors to express his love, promising to make a string of pearls out of the dew and laying carpets of clover at their feet. The singer also repeats the phrase "For you, yes baby for you" at the end of every stanza, emphasizing his dedication to his love.
The repeated phrase "For you, yes baby for you" is particularly interesting, as it not only reinforces the singer's love for his partner, but it also shows how the person he is singing to is the most important thing in his life. The fact that he would do "nothing in this world" that he wouldn't do for the person he loves makes the song both emotional and sincere. The melody and the lyrics of the song work together so well, creating an atmosphere of tenderness and devotion that is felt throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I will gather stars out of the blue
I will do anything, even impossible things (like collecting stars out of the blue sky), to make you happy
For you, yes baby for you
I'm doing all of this only for you, my beloved
I'll make a string of pearls out of the dew
I'll create beautiful things (like a pearl necklace made of morning dew) to express my love for you
Over the highway and over the street
I'll go anywhere and overcome any obstacle to show my devotion to you
Carpets of clover I'll lay at your feet
I'll make sure you walk on soft green carpets of clovers, as a symbol of my love and reverence for you
Oh well it's nothing in this world
No matter what it takes, none of it seems too big or impossible compared to my love for you
I wouldn't do, for you, yes baby for you
Because of the depth of my love for you, I'm telling you that I would do anything for you
I wouldn't do, yes baby for you
I repeat, I would do anything, absolutely anything (even the unimaginable or crazy) for you, my love
Oh I wouldn't do, yes baby for you
I will always be committed to doing anything to make you happy and show you how much I love you, tomorrow and forever
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WINSTON RODNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Herson Lamolli
It has been 55 years I haven't heard this beautiful song. From earth thank you Ricky again.
soxwina
one of my 1st singles+ I lost it about 50 years ago.
Herson Lamolli
@soxwina I still got the original 45 rpm. Side two is That's all she wrote
eliza consuegra
Not only deep masculine voices, but really manly looks. Ricky was a very handsome man back in those days. A real hearthrobe
Michael Rauch
Even that I am Younger I agree that Ricky was a great Singer. I am curious that this Song doesn't have more Fame on YouTube. It was one of the very big Hits in 1964 in fact.
Giovanni Antonio
AFTER SOME 50+ YRS still one of my top 10 favs! the sad part is that most people including my wife, i've mentioned this song to, look at me like i've 3 heads! thanks for posting this and i agree, great audio and vid!
Edward McCann
Giovanni Antonio sad
Matthew McCarthy
"Over the highway and over the street, carpets of clover I'll lay at your feet". Well said Ricky! And thanks for uploading this vid! AWESOME audio btw!
Derek Myers
This is fantastic. I always liked Ricky's easy-going lazy rhythms and slack tempos.
Anthony Wiertel
Rick was the best! A true icon as was his family and their tv show!