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.
Here I Am
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you're searching for a true love well here I am
Oh I'll hold you day and night no I'll never let you out of my sight
If you're looking for a true love here I am
Have you ever been lonely have you ever ever felt real blue
Does your heart need that someone who is kind faithful and true
If you're looking for that someone here I am
If you're searching for an only one well here I am
If you're looking for a good love here I am hmm hmm here I am
In Ricky Nelson's song Here I Am, the singer is offering themselves to someone who is looking for love. The lyrics are straightforward and honest - the singer is saying they are ready and willing to be the true love that the other person is searching for. The lyrics convey a sense of eagerness and openness, as if the singer is ready to dive into a relationship and give it their all.
The repeated refrain of "here I am" emphasizes the singer's availability and willingness to be the one the other person is looking for. The second verse includes questions about feeling lonely and in need of someone kind, faithful, and true. By asking these questions, the singer is empathizing with the other person and offering themselves as a potential solution to those feelings of loneliness and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're looking for a new love here I am
I am offering myself as a new love interest for you, if you want.
If you're searching for a true love well here I am
I consider myself a true lover, and I am here for you if you are searching for one.
Oh I'll hold you day and night no I'll never let you out of my sight
I will be there for you and will never let you go, even for a moment.
If you're looking for a true love here I am
I am offering myself as a true love that you may be seeking.
Have you ever been lonely have you ever ever felt real blue
Have you ever experienced loneliness or sadness? Is it a feeling that you would like to avoid?
Does your heart need that someone who is kind faithful and true
Is there a need in your heart for someone who is compassionate, loyal, and honest?
If you're looking for that someone here I am
If you are searching for that special someone, I am here to be that person for you.
If you're searching for an only one well here I am
If you are looking for someone to be the only one in your life, I am willing to be that person.
Oh I've never shared a true love and I've never ever had a real love
I have never experienced a genuine and authentic love relationship and have not shared it with anyone else.
If you're looking for a good love here I am hmm hmm here I am
If you want someone to love and be loved by in a healthy and positive relationship, I am here for you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES RYAN WUIHUN HO, JOHN LEGEND, STACY BARTHE, JESSE WOODARD, COREY GIBSON, JOI CAMPBELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lynn Templeton
Rick was such an under-rated artist. This song was written by Glen Campbell.
Rowlandph
THE best version of this...Ever!.. Glen, who wrote it..can't come close.
Robert Scudieri
He can do it all. Little bit of country, lots of rock and roll. Second only to Elvis
kln58cub
Rick Nelson was my favorite, yes, more than Elvis. I must have had a thing for the boy next door. I just liked Rick's voice and eyes when he sang. Just a different.
Ancilla Vandeburgt
Very good with a country feel.
Adrian Otero
The man had a very unique voice.....
Françoise Delighte
Belle chanson !!! 😌💓
laura j phillips
Never heard this song , but this was very pretty, I miss Rickey saw him in person was a great show! RIP Rick.
monpetitciel
I like so much it.I never heard this song.Thank you!!
Nina Garcia
I agree, beautiful song, thanks.