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 Know a Place
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
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And the shop and the store put the lock on the door
Just get away where your worries won't find you
If you like, well I'll tell you more
Don't let the day get the better of you
When the evening comes there's so much to do
You better put on your best and wear a smile
'Cause I tell you
I know a place
where the music is fine
And the lights are always low
I know a place where we can go
At the door there's a man who will greet you
Then you go downstairs to some tables and chairs
Soon I'm sure you'll be tappin' your feet
Because the beat is the greatest there
All round there are girls and boys
It's a swingin' place, a cellar full of noise
It's got an atmosphere of its own somehow
You gotta come along right now
'Cause I tell you
I know a place
where the music is fine
And the lights are always low
I know a place where we can go
It's a swingin' place, a cellar full of noise
It's got an atmosphere of its own somehow
You gotta come along right now
'Cause I tell you
I know a place
where the music is fine
And the lights are always low
I know a place where we can go
I know a place where we can go
I know a place where the lights are low
You're gonna love this place I know
I know a place where we can go
The lyrics to Ricky Nelson's song I Know a Place, are about finding a place of solace and distraction from the daily stress of work and obligations. The song encourages the listener to put on their best clothes, wear a smile and get away from their worries. The song paints a picture of a swinging underground club, with tables and chairs and a lively atmosphere. The music is great, the lights are low, and there are girls and boys everywhere. The singer wants the listener to come along and enjoy this place with him.
The song is a commentary on the importance of having a mental and emotional escape from the pressures of everyday life. It suggests that even if work and obligations get the better of you during the day, there is always a place outside of that reality where you can unwind and let loose. It's a reminder that sometimes, we just need to take a step back, change our environment, and let loose to avoid the stress of the day.
Overall, I Know a Place is a joyful and upbeat song that encourages the listener to escape their everyday stresses and find solace in music and lively company. It's a timeless message that still resonates today.
Line by Line Meaning
Every day when the work is behind you
At the end of your workday
And the shop and the store put the lock on the door
When the shops and stores close
Just get away where your worries won't find you
Find a place to escape from your problems
If you like, well I'll tell you more
If you're interested, I can give you more information
Don't let the day get the better of you
Don't let your problems overwhelm you
When the evening comes there's so much to do
There are many things to do in the evenings
You better put on your best and wear a smile
Dress up and be happy
Just come along with me awhile
Join me and go somewhere
'Cause I tell you
Believe me
I know a place
I know of a great place
where the music is fine
With great music
And the lights are always low
With low lighting
At the door there's a man who will greet you
The entrance has a greeter
Then you go downstairs to some tables and chairs
Descend some stairs to seating
Soon I'm sure you'll be tappin' your feet
You'll be tapping your feet to the music
Because the beat is the greatest there
The beat is amazing
All round there are girls and boys
There are many people of both genders
It's a swingin' place, a cellar full of noise
It's a lively place in a basement with loud music
It's got an atmosphere of its own somehow
It has an indescribable atmosphere
You gotta come along right now
You need to come with me immediately
I know a place
I know of a great place
where the music is fine
With great music
And the lights are always low
With low lighting
It's a swingin' place, a cellar full of noise
It's a lively place in a basement with loud music
It's got an atmosphere of its own somehow
It has an indescribable atmosphere
You gotta come along right now
You need to come with me immediately
'Cause I tell you
Believe me
I know a place
I know of a great place
where the music is fine
With great music
And the lights are always low
With low lighting
I know a place where we can go
I know of a great place where we can go
I know a place where we can go
I know of a great place where we can go
I know a place where the lights are low
I know of a great place with low lighting
You're gonna love this place I know
You will enjoy this place I know
I know a place where we can go
I know of a great place where we can go
Contributed by Ethan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
R Toni
Prefer the one of Petula Clark but also like this one
Steve Stearns
rickys version of PETULAS big hit song