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.
Hello Marry Lou
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Goodbye heart
Sweet Mary Lou
I'm so in love with you
I knew Mary Lou
We'd never part
So hello Mary Lou
You passed me by one sunny day
Flashed those big brown eyes my way
And ooh I wanted you forever more
Now I'm not one that gets around
I swear my feet stuck to the ground
And though I never did meet you before
I said "hello Mary Lou
Goodbye heart
Sweet Mary Lou
I'm so in love with you
I knew Mary Lou
We'd never part
So hello Mary Lou
Goodbye heart"
I saw your lips I heard your voice
Believe me I just had no choice
Wild horses couldn't make me stay away
I thought about a moonlit night
Arms around you, good an' tight
All I had to see for me to say
I said "hello Mary Lou
Goodbye heart
Sweet Mary Lou
I'm so in love with you
I knew Mary Lou
We'd never part
So "hello Mary Lou
Goodbye heart
Yes, hello Mary Lou
Goodbye heart
Well, hello Mary Lou
Goodbye heart"
The song "Hello Mary Lou" is a classic love song about the singer's infatuation with Mary Lou. Through the lyrics, we can assume that the two haven't met before, but when they do, the singer knows that he's fallen in love and can't resist her charm. The chorus, "Hello Mary Lou, goodbye heart," seems to suggest that Mary Lou has won over the singer's heart and that he must say goodbye to it since she now has it. The second verse gives an insight into the singer's thought process upon seeing Mary Lou. He describes how he sees her lips and hears her voice, which leads to the realization that he cannot stay away from her. He then goes on to daydream about holding her close under a moonlit night.
Overall, the song is an ode to love at first sight and the joy of finding someone who captivates your heart entirely. It's a sweet and infectious tune that has remained popular even after all these years.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello Mary Lou
Ricky Nelson greets Mary Lou with a friendly, enthusiastic tone.
Goodbye heart
Seeing Mary Lou's beauty has won over Ricky's heart, unfortunately leaving him with a broken one.
Sweet Mary Lou
Ricky compliments Mary Lou with a term of endearment, expressing his admiration towards her.
I'm so in love with you
Ricky has fallen deeply and passionately in love with Mary Lou.
I knew Mary Lou
Ricky has encountered Mary Lou before, either through reputation or a brief interaction.
We'd never part
Ricky's love for Mary Lou is so strong that he intends to stay with her forever.
So hello Mary Lou
Ricky repeats his earlier greeting, once again acknowledging Mary Lou's presence in his life.
I saw your lips I heard your voice
Ricky remembers the first moment he saw Mary Lou and was captivated by her through her appearance and sound of her voice.
Believe me I just had no choice
Ricky feels that his attraction to Mary Lou wasn't a conscious decision but a force beyond his control.
Wild horses couldn't make me stay away
Ricky feels an undeniable pull towards Mary Lou that is so strong, nothing can keep him from wanting to be with her.
I thought about a moonlit night
Ricky imagines a romantic scenario with Mary Lou under a moonlit sky.
Arms around you, good an' tight
Ricky envisions holding Mary Lou tightly and intimately, expressing his desire for physical affection.
All I had to see for me to say
Ricky's feelings for Mary Lou were solidified the moment he laid eyes on her.
Yes, hello Mary Lou
Ricky repeats his earlier greeting once more for emphasis, emphasizing the significance of Mary Lou in his life.
Well, hello Mary Lou
Ricky ends the song with yet another friendly greeting to Mary Lou.
Goodbye heart
Ricky concludes the song with a final expression of his love for Mary Lou, stating that he is willing to leave behind his old life in exchange for a new one with her.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CAYET MANGIARACINA, GENE PITNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mls.us.y-ram4076
My name is Mary Louise, but most of the time i went by Mary. But on my sweet 16 birthday, which was on Valentine's Day, as I was headed for the school lunchroom, looking for my favorite place, I heard, (over the loud speaker) my favorite song, "Hello Mary Lou"!! What? Wow! I got so excited and happy, I wanted to just stop right there and dance to my song with this cool groovy beat. What a complete surprise this was. In fact I went so far as to think, what surprise is next? Am I going to look around and see Ricky Nelson himself, singing his #1 song to me on this special birthday? O to be young again. And to hear those songs that will never grow old. I may, but they never will. Yes Ricky Nelson, was and still is my all time favorite singer. Thanks for letting me share this special moment in my life. 💃
@linwoodkent1246
@mls.us.y-ram4076 Happy Birthday Mary Lou (ise) and God Bless
@ivanmay7890
I grew up with a grandmother who listened religiously to Ricky Nelson, and as such Hello Mary Lou was constantly playing on the record player.
@paulrosebush9137
Lucky you! Raised right. ;)
@samallen83
Played this at my moms funeral since her name was Mary Lou. Rip mom 1947-2018
@rhondaboncutter5812
I am sure she heard it! I love this music! Born in early 50's! Loved all the years of music I got to enjoy and still do! But love the oldies best!
@berniecioffoletti3398
My deepest sympathies. 🙏
@mikehebert6721
Bernard Cioffoletti, Jr. Condolences sir
@NMB1984
❤❤❤
@bobrichie8782
Good son, prayers on loss