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 Go Again
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah, I'm in love again
Just like the time before, only I'm hurtin' more
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah, I'm in love again
My heart was made of ice, 'till you kissed me twice
Your lips caused a flame so hot
Melted my heart right on the spot
Now gee little honey do what I feel for you
I know it'll last 'till eternity, alright
My heart was made of ice, 'till you kissed me twice
Your lips caused a flame so hot
Melted my heart right on the spot
Now gee little honey do what I feel for you
I know it'll last 'till eternity
I, I, I, know, know, know, know, know it'll last 'till eternity
Mm, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah it'll last 'till eternity
Mm, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah it'll last 'till eternity
The lyrics of Ricky Nelson’s song “Here I Go Again” express the experience of falling in love once again after going through heartbreak. The singer announces his newfound love to the world and acknowledges that he had been hurt previously. He compares this love to his past experience, singing that although he has been in love before, this time he is hurting more. He attributes his current love to the power of a kiss, suggesting that his heart was frozen until his lover melted it with their lips. He now feels such strong emotions for his partner that he believes their love will last forever.
The song is a classic example of the rock and roll style of the 1950s and 1960s. Nelson’s smooth voice, accompanied by a guitar and drums, gives the song a nostalgic and romantic feel. The lyrics are simple, yet impactful, reflecting the themes of young love and heartbreak that were popular in music during this era.
The overall message of “Here I Go Again” is one of hopefulness and optimism, expressing the idea that love can conquer even the greatest of difficulties. Despite the pain of past experiences, the singer has found a new love that feels eternal. The song resonated with audiences at the time of its release and continues to be a beloved classic today.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I go again, in a great big world of spin
Starting another romantic journey, and the future is uncertain and dizzying.
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah, I'm in love again
Feeling love and infatuation for someone new.
Just like the time before, only I'm hurtin' more
Experiencing déjà vu with love, but this time it is even more painful.
My heart was made of ice, 'till you kissed me twice
Used to be cold and unfeeling until the passion put forth by the person made the hopeless romantic melt.
Your lips caused a flame so hot
The other person's physical affection set previous unrequited feelings ablaze.
Melted my heart right on the spot
The physical affection caused the other person's emotions to align, allowing the hopeless romantic to feel something they have never felt before.
Now gee little honey do what I feel for you
Looking for the other person to respond favorably to their love and show affections in return.
I know it'll last 'till eternity, alright
Believing that their love with the other person will be an eternal and everlasting bond.
Mm, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah it'll last 'till eternity
The idea that the love between the two of them will be never-ending and last for all time.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, AUSTINTATIOUS TUNES
Written by: Cedrick Miller, TREVOR RANDOLPH, MAURICE SMITH, KEITH THORNTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Teddy Querubin
He is so handsome to bad he isn’t with us. god bless you
Noah Fricke
Good song
Hydro Gen
He beats Elvis Presley.
pikeman80
@Hydro Gen And Buddy Holly was better than all of them.
Teddy Querubin
he comes pretty close
Karaboo
@Hydro Gen Yes I love Johnny Cash too!
Hydro Gen
@Karaboo No you didn't offend me. But both Johnny Cash and him beat Elvis Presley.
Karaboo
Finally Someone with common sense. In my opinion Elvis was trash (sorry not sorry) LOL