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.
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have I told with all my heart and soul how I adore you well darling I'm telling you now
Have I told you lately when I'm sleeping every dream I dream is you somehow
Have I told why the nights are long when you're not with me
Well darling I'm telling you now
My heart would break in two if I should lose you I'm no good without you anyhow
Dear have I told you lately that I love you well darling I'm telling you now
Well darling I'm telling you now
The lyrics to Ricky Nelson's "Have I told you lately that I love you" are a declaration of love, and an expression of the singer's feelings for their significant other. The lyrics suggest that the singer is deeply in love with the person they are addressing, and that they cannot imagine life without them.
The song begins with a question, "Have I told you lately that I love you?" This question is repeated throughout the song, creating a sense of urgency and a need for the listener to hear the answer. The lyrics continue, "Could I tell you once again somehow," suggesting that the singer has already expressed their love, but wants to make sure that their words have been heard and understood.
The lyrics describe the depth of the singer's love, and their desire to be with the person they love all the time. The words "with all my heart and soul" and "every dream I dream is you somehow" are used to emphasize the intensity of the singer's feelings. The lyrics also express the pain and longing the singer feels when the person they love is not with them: "why the nights are long when you're not with me."
In summary, "Have I told you lately that I love you" is a timeless love song that expresses the deep feelings of love and devotion that one person can have for another.
Line by Line Meaning
Have I told you lately that I love you could I tell you once again somehow
I may have told you before, but I want to make sure that you know that my love for you is still strong and I want to express it again.
Have I told with all my heart and soul how I adore you well darling I'm telling you now
I want to make sure that I have conveyed the depth of my love for you completely and with all my being, so please let me show you once again.
Have I told you lately when I'm sleeping every dream I dream is you somehow
Even in my sleep, my thoughts are filled with you, and I want you to know that you are constantly on my mind.
Have I told why the nights are long when you're not with me
When you are not with me, time seems to stand still, and every moment feels longer than usual.
Well darling I'm telling you now
I want to take this opportunity to remind you that I love you, and that my love for you is honest and true.
My heart would break in two if I should lose you I'm no good without you anyhow
I cannot imagine living without you, and losing you would devastate me, as I am incomplete without you.
Dear have I told you lately that I love you well darling I'm telling you now
Dearest, I cannot say it enough - I love you now and always, and I want you to know without a doubt how much you mean to me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SCOTT WISEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@buithuhuong19
Have I told you lately that I love you?
Could I tell you once again somehow?
Have I told with all my heart and soul how I adore you?
Well darling I'm telling you now
Have I told you lately when I'm sleeping
Every dream I dream is you somehow?
Have I told you why the nights are long
When you're not with me?
Well darling I'm telling you now
My heart would break in two if I should lose you
I'm no good without you anyhow
And have I told you lately that I love you
Well darling I'm telling you now
My heart would break in two if I should lose you
I'm no good without you anyhow
And have I told you lately that I love you
Well darling I'm telling you now
@sandy6660
This is the talented artist I first heard this song sung by. Loved it then and still do. His music lives on. Thanks for sharing.
@sauquoit13456
On this day in 1957 {October 7th} "Be-Bop Baby" by Ricky Nelson entered Billboard's Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #3 & spent 20 weeks on the Top 100 {Imperial Records released it as the B-side of the record}. But the record's A-side, "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You", also charted, it reached #29 and stayed on the Top 100 for 9 weeks {the Four Preps sang back-up on this recording}. Mr. Nelson, born Eric Hilliard Nelson, passed away on December 31st, 1985 at the young age of 45.
@AlexandraElorza
I just love this song. Ricky was one of my first crushes when I was just a little girl. This is a beautiful song.
@lindapadilla6813
I LOVE this slower version of this song!
@colinpurssey9875
I agree with you Linda , but the very best version of this song that I've ever heard is by Eddie Cochran, and it's even slower than Ricky's . Check it out on Youtube.
@motomichiokura1922
One of my favorites.
@moemcgovern7345
I still miss him. RIP Rick
@angelolucerne5233
How could I not know this great musician [though I heard about Elvis]..not until 2020? I was only five..when he died in 1985--and it is a sad thing to realize such! Now, I have a list [my favorites] of his great songs--It's Up to You, Travelin' Man, Lonesome Town, Hello Marylou, For You, Teenage Idol, Fools Rush In, Legacy, Believe What You Say, and this one of course...Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? Ricky Nelson sings without much effort [like Karen Capenter]...a beautiful voice, indeed!
@jimcavalier1479
In 1959 I recorded a 'demo' at Gene Breeden's home built studio in a converted garage in Visalia, CA. I was 14 at the time and this was the song I recorded. Gene has gone on from there to own one of the most successful recording studios in Nashville, TN.
@lancesta01
have you got the recording?