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've Been Thinkin'
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
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Watcha gonna do little girl on our first date
Well I've been thinkin'
When I hold your hand little girl, watcha gonna say
Well watcha gonna do when I hold you tight
Watcha gonna do when I say goodnight
Watcha gonna do little girl when I kiss your lips
Just like I want them to
I know little girl exactly what you're gonna do
Well I've been thinkin'
Oh please little girl won't ya be my steady date
Well I've been thinkin'
Watcha gonna do when I ask you to wear my ring
Well watcha gonna do when I hold you tight
Watcha gonna do when I say goodnight
Watcha gonna do little girl when I kiss your lips
If all of my dreams come true
Just like I want them to
I know little girl exactly what you're gonna do
Well I've been thinkin'
Oh please little girl won't ya be my steady date
Well I've been thinkin'
Watcha gonna do when I ask you to wear my ring
Yes, watcha gonna do when I ask you to wear my ring
The song "I've Been Thinkin'" by Ricky Nelson is a classic example of a teenage love song that captures the excitement and anticipation of a first date. The lyrics reveal the singer's thoughts as he wonders about what his date will do and say when they go out. He imagines holding her hand, kissing her, and asking her to be his steady date, and is confident that he knows exactly how she will react.
The lyrics are simple and straightforward, yet the catchy melody and youthful energy make it an irresistible tune. The song captures the feeling of being young and in love, with all the excitement and uncertainty that comes with it. The lyrics also touch on the theme of commitment, as the singer asks his date to wear his ring, which suggests a desire for a more serious and long-term relationship.
Overall, "I've Been Thinkin'" is a fun and upbeat song that captures the spirit of teenage romance, and is still enjoyed by many listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I've been thinkin'
I have been contemplating and imagining different scenarios.
Watcha gonna do little girl on our first date
What actions are you going to take during our inaugural outing together?
When I hold your hand little girl, watcha gonna say
What will you express verbally while I'm holding your hand?
Well watcha gonna do when I hold you tight
What will your reaction be when I embrace you tightly?
Watcha gonna do when I say goodnight
What response will you give when I bid you farewell for the evening?
Watcha gonna do little girl when I kiss your lips
How will you react when I plant a kiss on your lips?
If all of my dreams come true
Just like I want them to
In the event that my aspirations culminate exactly as I envision them...
I know little girl exactly what you're gonna do
I am confident in the knowledge of what your reactions will be.
Oh please little girl won't ya be my steady date
Would you please consider being my exclusive romantic partner?
Watcha gonna do when I ask you to wear my ring
What actions will you take when I propose to you with an engagement ring?
Yes, watcha gonna do when I ask you to wear my ring
Specifically, what reactions will you display when I propose with a ring?
Contributed by Logan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tonny Nilsson
As good as it can get!!