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 Walkin'
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
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I'm hopin that you'll come back to me, uh uh
I'm lonely as I can be, I'm waitin for your company
I'm hopin that you'll come back to me
You gonna run away and hide
I'm gonna be right by your side
For you, pretty baby, I'd even die
I'm walkin, yes indeed and I'm talkin bout you and me
I'm hopin that you'll come back to me
I'm walkin, yes indeed and I'm talkin bout you and me
I'm hopin that you'll come back to me, uh uh
I'm lonely as I can be, I'm waitin for your company
I'm hopin that you'll come back to me
Whatcha gonna do when the well runs dry
You gonna sit right down and cry
Whatcha gonna do when I say bye bye
All you're gonna do is dry your eye
I'm walkin, yes indeed and I'm talkin bout you and me
I'm hopin that you'll come back to me
The song "I'm Walkin" by Ricky Nelson is about a man who is lonely and hoping for his lover to come back to him. He describes himself as walking and talking about the two of them, hoping that she will return to him. He is pining for her company and is willing to be by her side no matter what happens.
The lyrics describe the man's feelings of loneliness and desperation, as he waits for his lover to return to him. He asks her what she will do when "the well runs dry" and she has nowhere else to turn. He tells her that he will always be there for her, no matter what happens, even if he has to die for her.
The repetition of the phrase "I'm hopin that you'll come back to me" reinforces the man's desperation and longing for his lover's return. The song is a classic example of a love ballad, with its simple lyrics and catchy melody.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm walkin, yes indeed and I'm talkin bout you and me
I am currently taking a walk and talking about you and me.
I'm hopin that you'll come back to me, uh uh
I have the desire for you to come back to me.
I'm lonely as I can be, I'm waitin for your company
I am very lonely and waiting for your company.
Whatcha gonna do when the well runs dry
What are your plans when resources or options are exhausted?
You gonna run away and hide
Are you going to escape and avoid the problem?
I'm gonna be right by your side
I will be there with you, supporting you.
For you, pretty baby, I'd even die
I would even sacrifice my own life for you, my dear.
Whatcha gonna do when I say bye bye
What is your plan when I leave?
All you're gonna do is dry your eye
You will simply wipe away your tears.
I'm walkin, yes indeed and I'm talkin bout you and me
I am currently taking a walk and talking about you and me.
I'm hopin that you'll come back to me
I have the desire for you to come back to me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTOINE DOMINO, DAVE BARTHOLOMEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind