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.
Hey There Little Miss Tease
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got me weak in the knees
Wonderin' if you really care for me
Well ya don't say no, ya don't say yes
Ya always make me guess
Please put my heart at ease, little miss tease
There's a cold, cold wind tonight
So come and warm my heart I beg you please
Well please be true, say you long to hold me too
My lips are gonna freeze, little miss tease
Well one day, you're so mad about me
And I'm a happy guy
The next day ya get along without me
Please tell me why, why
Hey there little miss tease
You got me weak in the knees
I'm so mixed up and full of misery
Well don't say no, please say yes
Give our love a test
I only wanna please, little miss tease
Well one day, you're so mad about me
And I'm a happy guy
The next day ya get along without me
Please tell me why, why
Hey there little miss tease
You got me weak in the knees
I'm so mixed up and full of misery
Well don't say no, please say yes
Give our love a test
I only wanna please, little miss tease
Well I only wanna please, little miss tease
Well I only wanna please, little miss tease
Well I only wanna please, little miss tease
The lyrics of Ricky Nelson's "Hey There Little Miss Tease" describe the inner conflict of a man who is interested in a woman who plays hard to get. He is willing to take a chance on this woman, but is left feeling uncertain of her intentions, as she neither rejects nor accepts him. He is vulnerable and unsure of his own feelings, as he is often left guessing about the woman's emotions. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and uncertainty, and suggest that the singer is torn between wanting to pursue this woman and giving up on her.
The song's chorus suggests that the singer is genuinely interested in a romantic relationship with this woman, despite her teasing behavior. He pleads with her to be honest with him, and to give their love a chance. The second verse further highlights his desire for her, as he longs to hold her tight against the cold wind. However, the woman's hot and cold behavior leaves him feeling confused and miserable.
Overall, "Hey There Little Miss Tease" is a song that captures the complexities of romantic relationships, particularly when one person plays hard to get. It conveys a sense of the uncertainty and vulnerability that often comes with pursuing someone who is not forthcoming about their feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey there little miss tease
Addressing the girl who seems to enjoy playing with his emotions.
You got me weak in the knees
She has an overpowering effect on him and makes him feel weak.
Wonderin' if you really care for me
He is unsure whether she feels the same way about him.
Well ya don't say no, ya don't say yes
She doesn't give him a clear answer, leaving him guessing.
Ya always make me guess
She always leaves him wondering about her feelings.
Please put my heart at ease, little miss tease
He wants her to clarify her feelings so he can stop worrying.
There's a cold, cold wind tonight
The weather reflects the emptiness he feels without her.
And I long to hold you tight
He wants to be physically close to her.
So come and warm my heart I beg you please
He pleads with her to come and make him feel better.
Well please be true, say you long to hold me too
He wants her to confirm her feelings for him.
My lips are gonna freeze, little miss tease
He needs her affection to keep him from feeling cold and alone.
Well one day, you're so mad about me
She can be passionate about him one day.
And I'm a happy guy
When she shows him affection, he is happy.
The next day ya get along without me
But then she can be distant and uninterested the next day.
Please tell me why, why
He wants to understand why she acts this way and what he can do to make her consistent in her affections.
I'm so mixed up and full of misery
He is confused and unhappy about their relationship.
Give our love a test
He wants her to commit and give their relationship a chance to grow.
I only wanna please, little miss tease
He just wants to make her happy, even though she can be frustrating and elusive.
Well I only wanna please, little miss tease
He repeats his desire to make her happy, even at his own expense.
Well I only wanna please, little miss tease
He emphasizes his focus on her happiness rather than his own.
Contributed by Gavin A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
deniel edwards
NICE RICKY,