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.
You'll Never Know What You're Missin'
Ricky Nelson Lyrics
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Have you ever wanted to try
But you let her get you scared to death
And got you so mad you could cry
Well I'm sorry for you
But I really don't know why
'Cause you'll never know what you're missin' til you try
'Til You try
Have you ever wanted to hold her tight
But you couldn't get up the nerve
So you waited untill she had to go
And got just what you deserved
Did she smile at you
And you never did no why
Well you'll never know what you're missin' til you try
'Til you try
You'll never know what you're missin' til you try
'Til you try
You'll never know what you're missin', that's no lie
That's no lie
So you'd better listen to what I say
If you want some kissin' tonight
Go ahead and hold her close to you
And kiss her with all of your might
You better give her the word
Before she leaves you high and dry
'Cause you'll never know what you're missin' til you try
'Til you try
Well you'll never know what you're missin' til you try
'Til you try
You'll never know what you're missin' and that's no lie
That's no lie
So you'd better listen to what I say
If you want some kissin' tonight
Go ahead and hold her close to you
And kiss her with all of your might
You better give her the word
Before she leaves you high and dry
Because you'll never know what you're missin' til you try
'Til you try
'Cause you'll never know what you're missin' til you try
'Til you try
The Ricky Nelson's song "You'll Never Know What You're Missin'" is a track addressing hesitation in relationships. The lyrics are a typical reflection of a boy or a man afraid to make advances towards his subject of interest, even though he longs to do so. The song highlights the idea that the subject of affection will never know what they have been missing out on until they attempt to experience it. The singer acknowledges the confused emotions and frustration that comes with being fearful to make moves, but also highlights the necessity for the male to make a move and not miss out on a chance with their love interest.
The song is relatable to many, as it conveys the message that sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone to experience something new. The lyrics address those who long to take their relationship to another level and serve as a reminder that one may not know what could have been if they do not try.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you ever wanted to steal a kiss
Have you ever desired to kiss someone who you are interested in
Have you ever wanted to try
Have you ever desired to take a risk and try something new
But you let her get you scared to death
But your fear of rejection prevented you from taking action
And got you so mad you could cry
And the regret of not taking the chance made you upset
Well I'm sorry for you
I sympathize with your situation
But I really don't know why
But I can't comprehend why you would let your fear hold you back
'Cause you'll never know what you're missin' til you try
Because you won't understand what you're missing out on until you take the risk
'Til You try
Until you take action
Have you ever wanted to hold her tight
Have you ever desired to embrace the person you like lovingly
But you couldn't get up the nerve
But your nervousness stopped you from taking any action
So you waited until she had to go
So you waited until the opportunity was gone
And got just what you deserved
And you only got what you deserved because you didn't try
Did she smile at you
Did the person you like smile at you
And you never did no why
And you never understood why they smiled at you because you didn't make a move
You'll never know what you're missin' til you try
You won't understand what you're missing out on until you take a risk
'Til you try
Until you take action
You'll never know what you're missin', that's no lie
You indeed won't realize what you're missing if you don't take risks, it's true
So you'd better listen to what I say
So you should take my advice seriously
If you want some kissin' tonight
If you want to share a romantic moment tonight
Go ahead and hold her close to you
Take the initiative to get physically close to the person you like
And kiss her with all of your might
And passionately kiss the person you like
You better give her the word
You should express your feelings to her
Before she leaves you high and dry
Before she walks away and you miss the opportunity
'Cause you'll never know what you're missin' til you try
Because you won't understand what you're missing out on until you take a risk
'Til you try
Until you take action
'Cause you'll never know what you're missin' til you try
Because you won't understand what you're missing out on until you take a risk
'Til you try
Until you take action
Contributed by Brooklyn F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.