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.
If You Can’t Rock Me
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well if you can't rock me, I'll find me somebody who can
I'll get me another woman, you can find another man
Everytime we hear a rock 'n' roll band, everytime we hear a rock 'n' roll band
All you want to do baby is hold my hand
Well one thing honey before we go, well one thing baby that I want you to know
Well if you can't rock me, I'll find me somebody who can
Well if you can't rock me...
Well one thing honey before we go, well one thing baby that I want you to know
Well if you can't rock me, I'll find me somebody who can
Well if you can't rock me, I'll find me somebody who can
Ricky Nelson's song, If You Can't Rock Me, is a lively rock 'n' roll tune characterized by its simple structure, upbeat rhythm, and playful lyrics. The central theme of the song is the singer's desire to dance and have a good time, and if his partner can't keep up, he intends to find someone who can.
The repetitive refrain of "if you can't rock me, I'll find me somebody who can" is a clear expression of the singer's energetic and carefree attitude towards life, seeking out pleasure and excitement wherever he can find it. This carefree attitude is reflected musically, with a driving beat that encourages dancing and a repeated melody that is easy to sing along with.
There is also evidence of playful banter with his partner, as the singer teases his partner about her lack of enthusiasm and willingness to dance. The lines "All you want to do baby is hold my hand" and "Well one thing honey, before we go, one thing baby that I want you to know" are indicative of this playful flirtation, and serve to underscore the playful tone of the song.
Overall, "If You Can't Rock Me" is an enjoyable, carefree song about seeking out joy and excitement in life, with playful undertones of flirtation and teasing.
Line by Line Meaning
Well if you can't rock me, I'll find me somebody who can
If you can't satisfy me musically, I am determined to find someone who can meet my expectations
I'll get me another woman, you can find another man
If I have to leave you to find my rhythm, I won't hesitate and I expect you to do the same
Everytime we hear a rock 'n' roll band, everytime we hear a rock 'n' roll band
Whenever we listen to rock 'n' roll music, whenever we listen to rock 'n' roll music
All you want to do baby is hold my hand
All you seem to want is physical affection but that's not enough for me, I need to feel the music too
Well one thing honey before we go, well one thing baby that I want you to know
Before we part ways, I need to make something clear to you
Well if you can't rock me, I'll find me somebody who can
If you can't satisfy me musically, I am determined to find someone who can meet my expectations
Well if you can't rock me...
If you can't keep up with me musically...
Well one thing honey before we go, well one thing baby that I want you to know
Before we part ways, I need to make something clear to you
Well if you can't rock me, I'll find me somebody who can
If you can't satisfy me musically, I am determined to find someone who can meet my expectations
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIAM JACOBS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind