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 Walking
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For you and me and I'm hoping
That you'll come back to me
I'm lonely as I can be
And I've waited for your company
And I'm hoping that you'll come back to me
You gonna run away and hide
I'm gonna run right by your side
For you, pretty baby, I'd even die
I'm walking, yes indeed I'm talking
For you and me and I'm hoping
That you'll come back to me
I'm walking, yes indeed I'm talking
For you and me and I'm hoping
That you'll come back to me
I'm lonely as I can be
And I've waited for your company
And I'm hoping that you'll come back to me
Whatcha gonna do when the well runs dry
You gonna run away and hide
I'm gonna run right by your side
For you, pretty baby, I'd even die
I'm walking, yes indeed I'm talking
For you and me and I'm hoping
That you'll come back to me
The lyrics of Ricky Nelson's "I'm Walking" present a protagonist who is hoping for a reunion with their lover. The song begins by emphasizing the singer's actions of "walking" and "talking" for the sake of their lover. While they feel lonely and have waited long for the lover's company, they remain optimistic that the person will return. This expectation is expressed in the repetition of the lines "And I'm hoping that you'll come back to me."
The chorus of the song speaks to the singer's loyalty and devotion to their lover. Even if circumstances become unfavorable and "the well runs dry," the singer promises to stay by their side. The final lines of the song, "For you, pretty baby, I'd even die," highlight the intensity of their love and commitment to the person they long to be with.
Overall, the song is a plea for love and companionship, with a sense of personal dedication that refuses to let go. The confident and repeated declarations of the singer may also give the impression that the singer is trying to convince themselves that their lover will return.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm walking, yes indeed I'm talking
I am moving on and communicating my feelings.
For you and me and I'm hoping
I am expressing my desire that we could be together once again.
That you'll come back to me
I am expressing my hope that you will return to my life.
I'm lonely as I can be
I am feeling hollow and empty without you.
And I've waited for your company
I have been longing for your companionship.
And I'm hoping that you'll come back to me
My faith has not weakened, and I still believe that we can be together.
Whatcha gonna do when the well runs dry
What will you do when resources are limited?
You gonna run away and hide
Are you going to flee and avoid the situation?
I'm gonna run right by your side
I will accompany and support you.
For you, pretty baby, I'd even die
I would do anything for your love.
I'm walking, yes indeed I'm talking
I am moving on and communicating my feelings.
For you and me and I'm hoping
I am expressing my desire that we could be together once again.
That you'll come back to me
I am expressing my hope that you will return to my life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANTOINE DOMINO, DAVE BARTHOLOMEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Isabelle Lévy - Banchereau
Merci pour cet excellent partage en live
Ricky Nelson est vraiment superbe avec une voix tellement agréable
Quel plaisir de le voir à l'époque
Malheureusement disparu à 45 ans dans un accident d'avion
RIP Ricky Nelson
mkeogh76
He's just 16 yrs old here! Allegedly, he sang this as an attempt to impress a girl who was fan of Elvis. Yet, the kid had real talent!
Anna L. Vajda
Yeah it almost looks like a parody.
༺violet༻
yeah he did that's why he did that elvis thing with his legs
Jane Doe
This particular performance gave him the record for most fan mail received for a performance. They said so many bags of fan mail were coming in that the studio didn't know where to put it all.
Jensen Bell
Tommy Tedesco Rock n Roll solo and first big break... at 0:50. GREAT! Thanks for starting West Coast Rock n Roll guitar soloing, Tommy!
Lindsay Morrison
it is a pity the camera did not focus on him (TT) during his guitar solo.
TheCaptFlashback
Hey Vali, As you know this was Ricky's first record and the very first time the public saw him sing. The rest is history! Wow I'm listening...The Captain...
Patricia Foote Johnson
Handsome Ricky Nelson was this black Detroit chick's first TV boyfriend along with ed kookie of 77 sunset strip. I was 8 years old and I will always love Ricky Nelson even my aunt loved Ricky 's hits traveling man and poor little fool. I also loved fats domino hits and this cover of his song brought him royalties and even more fame and attention. Ricky's sons who later formed the group Nelson in the 80s were handsome like their dad
Thanks Ricky for some great times!
Greg Scherzinger
ah ... nice reference to Edd Byrnes .... 77 Sunset strip was hip !