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 Can’t Help It
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And my heart fell at your feet
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Somebody else stood by your side
And he looked so satisfied
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
As I brushed your arm and walked so close to you
The-en suddenly I got that old-time feelin'
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you (still in love with you)
(Today I passed you on the street)
Today I passed you on the street
(And my heart fell at your feet)
And my heart fell at your feet
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
(Somebody else stood by your side)
Somebody else stood by your side
(And he looked so satisfied)
And, ya know, he looked so satisfied
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Oh, it hurts to know another's lips will kiss you
And hold ya just the way I used to do
Oh-oh-oh-oh heaven only knows how much I miss, how much that I miss ya
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
(Still in love with you)
The lyrics of Ricky Nelson's song "I Can't Help It" express the pain and frustration of still being in love with someone even though they have moved on with someone else. The singer describes passing the person on the street and having their heart "fall" at their feet, indicating a powerful emotional reaction. When they see the person with someone else who looks satisfied, they can't help but feel envious and yearn for what they once had. The singer then describes a moment where they brush against the person and memories come flooding back, causing them to feel the same old-time feeling of being in love with this person despite everything that has happened.
This song taps into a universal human emotion - the pain of unrequited love. The lyrics are poignant and heartfelt, and the melody is simple yet powerful. Nelson's voice adds to the emotion, conveying the sadness and longing that the lyrics express. Throughout the song, the singer knows that their love is unrequited and that they cannot change the situation - they "can't help it" if they are still in love with this person.
Overall, "I Can't Help It" is a beautiful and relatable song that captures the feeling of unrequited love in a powerful and poetic way.
Line by Line Meaning
Today I passed you on the street
As I walked down the street, I saw you passing by
And my heart fell at your feet
My heart started to ache as I saw you
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
I cannot control my emotions because I still love you
Somebody else stood by your side
I saw you with someone else walking beside you
And, ya know, he looked so satisfied
He seemed content being with you
Oh, it hurts to know another's lips will kiss you
It pains me to think of someone else kissing you
And hold ya just the way I used to do
Holding you the way I used to hold you brings back memories
Oh-oh-oh-oh heaven only knows how much I miss, how much that I miss ya
I miss you deeply and I do not know how to deal with it
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
No matter how hard I try, I still have feelings for you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hank Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Huong Bui
Today I passed you on the street
And my heart fell at your feet
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Somebody else stood by your side
And he looked so satisfied
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
A picture from the past came slowly stealing
As I brushed your arm and walked so close to you
Then suddenly I got that old time feeling
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
It's hard to know another's lips will kiss you
And hold you just the way I used to do
Oh heaven only knows how much I miss you
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Nina Garcia
LOve to see this live version of this song, so far the best version. Elvis also sang this in his concert but did not make a formal recording.
catman916
This song appeared on the album Ricky Sings Again released in 1959. As with many of his songs at the time, The Jordanaires were the background singers and the great James Burton played guitar.
Eric Crowder
What I like about these old ricky songs is they are live!. Ricky sings, Jame Burton is just a boy wonder then .Watch him playing as he looks to Ricky and keeps up the time, the rhythm. he does all this without ever need ing to look at his fretboard for finger placement. He was a pro B4 his time just like a concert pianist doesnt need to look at the whole piano. He really is/ was a perfect accompianist to Ricky and later Elvis Truly magnificent plectrum and finger guitarist. Quite different from say a classical player but equally brilliant. And his boyhood smile showing how much he loved his musicianship without bling.
Huong Bui
Today I passed you on the street
And my heart fell at your feet
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Somebody else stood by your side
And he looked so satisfied
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
A picture from the past came slowly stealing
As I brushed your arm and walked so close to you
Then suddenly I got that old time feeling
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
It's hard to know another's lips will kiss you
And hold you just the way I used to do
Oh heaven only knows how much I miss you
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Val Dudfield
Rick and the great James Burton, brilliant combination ❤️👍
Peter Jason
Dont think Elvis sang it in concert just a recording at his home wen off duty in the Army..Those home recordings of Elvis and the Early sun ones I Really love..nice version from ricky there👍
John Burkardt
The banner says "service to the community" Ricky is serving the community by rocking out! You're welcome for the school of rock reference! Lol! Love this! <3
fenderblaster21
Great video. That's the first time I've see James Burton playing a Rickenbacker guitar instead of a Fender.
deniel edwards
USED IT A LOT
sunsetgurl1
Beautiful!