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.
It's All In the Game
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it's all in the game
All in the wonderful game
That we know as love
You have words with him
And your future's lookin' dim
But these things
Once in a while he won't call
But it's all in the game
Soon he'll be there at your side
With a sweet bouquet
And he'll kiss your lips
And caress you're waiting finger tips
And your hearts will fly away
The lyrics to Ricky Nelson's song It’s All In The Game highlights the fact that love is unpredictable and can be filled with both joy and heartbreak. The first lines of the song, "Many a tear has to fall, but it's all in the game," suggest that when someone falls in love, they must be prepared to weather any storms that may come their way, such as heartbreak or disappointment.
The subsequent lines touch on the dynamic nature of relationships, where there may be disagreements and conflicts that seem insurmountable, but ultimately they can be overcome. "You have words with him and your future's lookin' dim" suggests that when there is conflict in a relationship, it may feel like the end is near, but the next lines, "But these things your hearts can rise above," offer hope that the couple can overcome the challenges.
The final lines of the song, which describe a man returning to his love with a gift and an affectionate embrace, capture the beauty that is present in a good relationship. Ultimately, the song is a reminder that love, like life, is unpredictable and that while there may be hardships, true love endures and triumphs over all.
Line by Line Meaning
Many a tear has to fall
Frequently, tears must be shed as a result of love
But it's all in the game
However, this is just a part of the process of love
All in the wonderful game
Despite the difficulties of love, it is still worth pursuing because of the rewards it brings
That we know as love
This game of love is familiar to us all
You have words with him
Sometimes, conflicts or arguments arise between partners
And your future's lookin' dim
As a result, the future of the relationship may seem uncertain or bleak
But these things
However, these difficult moments are only temporary
Your hearts can rise above
Through understanding, patience and forgiveness, the relationship can recover and grow stronger
Once in a while he won't call
Occasionally, one partner may neglect to communicate with the other
But it's all in the game
This is normal part of the ups and downs of love
Soon he'll be there at your side
However, the partner will eventually return and rekindle the relationship
With a sweet bouquet
They will bring a gift or gesture of affection to show their love and commitment
And he'll kiss your lips
The partner will express their love physically, with a kiss.
And caress your waiting fingertips
They will also express their love with tender physical gestures
And your hearts will fly away
The couple will feel immense love and joy, and their hearts will seem to soar.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind