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 Mary Loou
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Goodbye heart
Sweet Mary Lou
I'm so in love with you
We'd never part
So hello Mary Lou
Goodbye heart
You passed me by one sunny day
Flashed those big brown eyes my way
And oo I wanted you forever more
Now I'm not one that gets around
I swear my feet are stuck to the ground
And though I never did meet you before
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 said hello Mary Lou
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
My arms about good an' tight
That's all I had to see for me to stay
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
In Ricky Nelson's song "Hello Mary Lou," the singer is clearly smitten with his love interest, Mary Lou. He begins by saying hello to her and goodbye to his heart, indicating that she has captured his entire being. He talks about the first time he saw her, when she passed him by one sunny day and flashed him her big brown eyes. He knew immediately that he wanted to be with her forever.
Despite not being someone who typically moves around or meets many people, the singer feels a powerful draw towards Mary Lou. He imagines holding her tightly on a moonlit night, and he would do anything to be with her. The repetition of the song's central theme throughout the lyrics, "Hello Mary Lou, goodbye heart," reinforces the idea that Mary Lou has completely taken over the singer's emotions and desires.
On a deeper level, this song can be seen as a metaphor for the transformative power of love. The singer's heart is no longer his own once he falls in love with Mary Lou, and he is willing to change his behavior and priorities in order to be with her. Additionally, the imagery of being stuck to the ground and feeling like wild horses couldn't keep him away from her highlights the intense gravitational pull that love can have.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello Mary Lou
The singer greets Mary Lou.
Goodbye heart
The singer is losing control of their heart due to their love for Mary Lou.
Sweet Mary Lou
The singer expresses their endearment for Mary Lou.
I'm so in love with you
The artist is deeply in love with Mary Lou.
I knew Mary Lou
The artist was aware of Mary Lou's existence before this moment.
We'd never part
The singer intends for their relationship with Mary Lou to be long-lasting.
You passed me by one sunny day
Mary Lou saw the singer on a sunny day and caught their attention.
Flashed those big brown eyes my way
Mary Lou made eye contact with the artist, seemingly in a flirtatious manner.
And oo I wanted you forever more
The artist became infatuated with Mary Lou after their glance.
Now I'm not one that gets around
The artist does not typically pursue multiple romantic relationships.
I swear my feet are stuck to the ground
The singer's love for Mary Lou is keeping them grounded.
And though I never did meet you before
The artist is describing how Mary Lou caught their attention without ever meeting her previously.
I saw your lips I heard your voice
The singer is describing a moment when they saw Mary Lou speak, which only heightened their attraction to her.
Believe me I just had no choice
The singer feels compelled to pursue Mary Lou and cannot control their feelings.
Wild horses couldn't make me stay away
The singer is emphasizing their undying attraction to Mary Lou.
I thought about a moonlit night
The artist is daydreaming about a romantic moment with Mary Lou.
My arms about good an' tight
The artist anticipates holding Mary Lou closely in their embrace.
That's all I had to see for me to stay
The singer is describing how seeing Mary Lou's face was enough to convince them to pursue a romantic relationship.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDY TAYLOR, JOHN TAYLOR, NICK RHODES, ROGER TAYLOR, SIMON LE BON
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