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.
Just a Little Too Much
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah, just a little too much
You know you thrill me, baby
With your magic touch
And love you like I do
I'm gonna scream and shout it
There ain't no doubt about it
That's why I love you like I do
Well, sometimes I think you kiss me
Ah, just a little too much
You drive me crazy, baby
With your magic touch
You make me feel so good
When the moon is shining bright
With our lips together
And you're squeezing me so tight
Well, I went steady once before
Thought I loved the girl next door
She stepped out on me you see
Couldn't be true
I got over all my dreams
Time went by so fast it seems
Now, I know I'll never get over you
Alright
Sometimes, I think I love you
Ah, just a little too much
You know you thrill me, baby
With your magic touch
But that's why I want you honey
And love you like I do
I'm gonna scream and shout it
There ain't no doubt about it
That's why I love you like I do
Yeah, that's why I love you like I do
The lyrics to Ricky Nelson's "Just a Little Too Much" are a passionate declaration of love from the singer to his partner. The song describes the intense feelings he has for his lover, who thrills him with her touch and drives him crazy with desire. The singer proclaims that he loves her just a little too much, but it is clear that he does not see this as a negative thing. Instead, he embraces his feelings and promises to love her with all his heart.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of past relationships, and how they can shape our attitudes towards love. The singer reveals that he had been hurt in the past by a girl who cheated on him, but he has moved on and now knows that he will never get over his current partner. There is a sense of urgency and desperation in his words, as if he cannot bear to imagine a future without her.
Overall, "Just a Little Too Much" is a heartfelt tribute to the power of love and the intensity of human emotion. It showcases Ricky Nelson's talent for capturing complex feelings in simple, catchy melodies that linger in the listener's mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes, I think I love you
Occasionally, I have feelings for you
Ah, just a little too much
Perhaps more than necessary
You know you thrill me, baby
You excite me beyond the norm
With your magic touch
Your ability to touch me in special ways
That's why I want you, honey
I desire your company
And love you like I do
And care for you as much as I do
I'm gonna scream and shout it
I will express my love vocally
There ain't no doubt about it
I have no hesitation in affirming this
That's why I love you like I do
That is why I have strong feelings for you
Well, sometimes I think you kiss me
On occasion I feel you kiss me
Ah, just a little too much
Perhaps with too much passion
You drive me crazy, baby
You make me lose control
With your magic touch
Your ability to physically move me
You make me feel so good
You bring me pleasure
When the moon is shining bright
On nights with bright moons
With our lips together
When our mouths are touching
And you're squeezing me so tight
When you are holding me close
Well, I went steady once before
I had a previous serious relationship
Thought I loved the girl next door
I believed I was in love with my neighbor
She stepped out on me you see
She cheated on me
Couldn't be true
It turned out not to be real love
I got over all my dreams
I moved on from my fantasies
Time went by so fast it seems
Time passed quickly
Now, I know I'll never get over you
I am certain I will always love you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES BLOUNT, STEPHEN ROBSON, STEVE ROBSON, RYAN TEDDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alan & Linda
I suppose I was about 14 when I started buying Ricky Nelson 45 rpm's. They were magic to me at the time, I was just starting to learn guitar, and the James Burton solos were out of this world! This one was (and still is) right up there with the best.
Maurice Martin
One of Rick's best songs, written by Johnny Burnette after he gave up the RockNRoll Trio, Just couldn't come up with a hit but that first album in 56-57 was full of classics. Burnette sounded too wild and finally went more pop with songs like Dreamin' and You're 16 You're Beautifull and You're Mine.
Dharma70
❤❤My favorite song by Rick
Daryl Miller
Love Ricky Nelson 💕
steelydan473 struthers
My very fav. of all James Burton's solos, but they're all brilliant imho
standorney
Fabulous Track.
garyguitar
Greatest JB break.!
William Etheridge
DAMMIT ah lerve this song... just aches with civilty and tears of solid joy and even a little romance
Rock N' Steele
I'm here because I heard Mark knopfler mentioning this track as one of his Favorite tunes.
I can hear in this song inspiration in some Dire Straits songs.
Trecilla La Lair
Me too!