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.
I'm A Fool To Care
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know I love you but what can I do I'm a fool to care
I'm a fool to cry when you tell me goodbye
You left me so blue when you were untrue I'm a fool to care
I know I should laugh and call it a day but I know I would cry if you went away
I'm a fool to care when you don't care for me
Why should I pretend I'd lose in the end I'm a fool to care
[ guitar ]
Why should I pretend I'd lose in the end I'm a fool to care
Ricky Nelson's "I'm A Fool To Care" tells the story of a man who continues to love and care for someone who treats him poorly, even though he knows he shouldn't. The first line, "I'm a fool to care when you treat me this way," sets the tone for the entire song. The singer acknowledges that he is a fool for continuing to love someone who doesn't love him back. He knows that he loves this person, but also knows that they don't treat him well. The repetition of the phrase "I'm a fool to care" throughout the song drives this point home.
The second verse talks about how the singer is left feeling sad and blue when the person he loves tells him goodbye. Despite feeling heartbroken, he acknowledges that he is still a fool for caring about someone who is untrue to him. The third verse reveals that the singer knows he should move on and not pretend that the relationship is working, but he can't bring himself to do so. He believes that if the person he loves were to leave, he would be unable to hold back his tears.
Overall, "I'm A Fool To Care" is a sad but relatable song that explores the pain of unrequited love. It paints a picture of a man who can't help but love someone who doesn't feel the same way, no matter how much he knows he should let go.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a fool to care when you treat me this way
Despite being mistreated, I am foolishly allowing my love for you to cloud my judgment and keep me in this unhealthy relationship.
I know I love you but what can I do I'm a fool to care
Although I am aware of my love for you, I feel helpless and unable to resist your hold on me, even if it is ultimately damaging.
I'm a fool to cry when you tell me goodbye
My attachment to you causes me to feel intense sadness and heartache when we part ways, even though you have shown yourself to be unfaithful.
You left me so blue when you were untrue I'm a fool to care
Your dishonesty and infidelity have caused me great emotional pain and yet I continue to care about you, even though it seems irrational.
I know I should laugh and call it a day but I know I would cry if you went away
Although I know deep down that I would be better off without you, the thought of losing you still causes me enough emotional anguish that I can't just move on easily.
I'm a fool to care when you don't care for me
It is clear that my feelings are not reciprocated by you and yet I continue to hold onto a love that is ultimately destined to cause me pain and heartbreak.
Why should I pretend I'd lose in the end I'm a fool to care
There is no point in pretending that this love will end well for me, as it is clear that I am not valued by you in the same way that I value you.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: TED DAFFAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@doinapicsou9186
Magique! La voix de Ricky Nelson est eternelle
@MrLokipal
Never heard this version before - it was great!!! Joe Barry also had a good version - ala Cajun Style.
@motomichiokura1922
My favorite one I used to sing ! This song is in the album "Bright Lights & Country Music".
@glennmaidhof6061
GREAT song,, great singer, cut too short by air plane crash
@ziggysaloon8168
Now this is a song to listen to, while driving your pickup with your girl down a dirt road.
@nina1823
Lovely song, thanks,
@cuppajoe1
I had a big crush on Ricky when he was just a cute little boy on his parents tv show. Although he was not a great singer, he sure broke a lot of hearts.
@drtroyturner7464
Captain America lookalike.
@kennyandkevonedmonds
Kind of eerie how modern he looks in the 1 color photo. William McNamara doppelganger.
@Coolrockndad
Troy Turner Yep trends come and go then they come back again. : )