Ricky Nelson discography
Introduction  Rick Nelson performing in 1970Eric Hilliard Nelson (May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985), known professionally as Ricky Nelson until his 21st birthday when he officially dropped the "y" and simply became Rick Nelson, was an American singer-songwriter. His discography comprises 24 original studio albums, one original live album, various compilation and archival projects, and 94 singles.
Albums ===Studio albums=== Year Album Peak positions US US Country AUS CAN 1957 ''Ricky'' 1 — — 1958 ''Ricky Nelson''* features "Don't Leave Me This Way", Nelson's earliest recorded composition 7 — — 1959 ''Ricky Sings Again'' 14 — — ''Songs by Ricky'' 22 — — 1960 ''More Songs by Ricky'' 18 — — 1961 ''Rick Is 21'' 8 — — 1962 ''Album Seven by Rick''* Nelson's seventh studio album and the final comprising new material on Imperial Records 27 — — 1963 ''For Your Sweet Love''* Nelson's Decca Records debut and eighth studio album 20 — — ''Rick Nelson Sings for You''* Nelson's second Decca album 14 — — 1964 The Very Thought of You — — — ''Spotlight on Rick'' — — —1965''Best Always'' — — — ''Love and Kisses'' — — — 1966 ''Bright Lights and Country Music''* Nelson's exploration of the nascent country rock genre* "You Just Can't Quit" was penned by Nelson* featuring guitarists James Burton, Clarence White, and Glen Campbell — — —1967 ''Country Fever''* the sequel to ''Bright Lights and Country Music''* "Alone" was composed by Nelson* James Burton, Clarence White, and Glen Campbell are among the players — — — ''Another Side of Rick''* orchestrated psychedelic pop* "Marshmallow Skies" and "Promenade in Green" were co-written with James Burton and John Boylan, respectively — — — 1968 ''Perspective''* more orchestrated psychedelic pop* "Hello to the Wind" was co-written alongside producer John Boylan — — — 1970 ''Rick Sings Nelson''* all 10 songs composed by Nelson including "Down Along the Bayou Country", "California", and "How Long" 196 — 33 — 1971 ''Rudy the Fifth''* seven tunes written by Nelson including "This Train", "Life", and "Gypsy Pilot" 204 — 38 — 1972 ''Garden Party''* six songs penned by Nelson including the career-defining title cut, "So Long, Mama", and "A Flower Opens Gently By" 32 26 67 39 1974 ''Windfall''* Nelson's final Decca / MCA album* "Someone to Love", "Lifestream", and "Windfall" were composed by Nelson 190 — 61 97 1977 ''Intakes''* Nelson's only released Epic Records LP* the final appearance of the Stone Canyon Band* "It's Another Day" and "Something You Can't Buy" were Nelson's songwriting contributions — — — — 1981 ''Playing to Win''* Nelson's sole Capitol Records album* "The Loser Babe Is You" and "Call It What You Want" were his final released compositions 153 — — — 1985 ''All My Best''* studio re-recordings of 21 of Nelson's greatest hits plus "You Know What I Mean" overseen by longtime arranger Jimmie Haskell* later reissues eliminated various songs — — 58 —1986''The Memphis Sessions''* dubbed ''Rockabilly Renaissance'' in the late '70s before Epic Records cancelled its release* a few months after Nelson's death, CBS hired Nashville producer Steve Buckingham to replace the original drum and lead guitar tracks and remix the material — 62 — —===Soundtrack=== Year Album 1966 ''On the Flip Side''* a Burt Bacharach and Hal David-scored soundtrack for the rare 60-minute ABC special* Nelson is heard on only four songs—"It Doesn't Matter Anymore", "They Don't Give Medals (To Yesterday's Heroes)", "Take a Broken Heart", and a duet with costar Joannie Sommers on "Try to See It My Way"===EP=== Year Album 1960 ''Ricky Sings Spirituals'' * Feature 4 Songs, Glory Train, March with The Band of The Lord, If You Believe It, I Bowed My Head in Shame* Nelson Only EP Album===Lost studio albums=== Year Album 1978 ''Back to Vienna''* produced by Bob Dylan's session organist Al Kooper* Epic scuttled the 10-song studio LP, which was finally distributed in its entirety on the mammoth 2010 Bear Family box "The Last Time Around" as well as Real Gone Music's "The Complete Epic Recordings." 1979 ''Rockabilly Renaissance (aka The Memphis Sessions)''* The only time Nelson recorded outside Los Angeles. * "That Ain't the Way Love's Supposed to Be" was co-written by Nelson and Flying Burrito Brother John Beland and attached as the B-side of Bobby Darin's "Dream Lover. "* Excepting the afore-mentioned single, Epic canned the Larry Rogers-helmed album. * Epic belatedly released four additional sides ("Lay Back in the Arms of Someone" and renditions of John Fogerty's "Almost Saturday Night," Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right" (popularized by Elvis Presley), and Buddy Holly's "Rave On") on a February 1981 EP entitled "Four You." According to biographer Philip Bashe, Nelson was unaware of his former label's intentions and was incensed to discover that applause had been overdubbed onto the Holly rocker to simulate a concert atmosphere. * The summer after Nelson's passing Epic compiled 10 cuts into "The Memphis Sessions," omitting "That Ain't the Way Love's Supposed to Be." 1986 ''Untitled Curb Records Studio Album''* Jimmie Haskell continued his renewed collaboration with Nelson, laying down instrumental tracks and guide vocals in the fall of 1985 at Baby-O Recorders and Conway Studios in North Hollywood for 10 new songs, albeit none penned by Nelson. * If the entertainer had not perished on New Year's Eve, the rockabilly-themed project was poised for a 1986 release with Mike Curb's Nashville-based Curb Records. * These are the only Nelson songs still relegated to the vaults although unauthorized, unfinished versions have leaked.===Live albums=== Year Album Peak positions US CAN 1970 ''Rick Nelson in Concert at the Troubadour, 1969''* Nelson regains his footing as a country rocker* the debut of the Stone Canyon Band* the sole live album issued during Nelson's lifetime* "Come on In", "Who Cares About Tomorrow", "Promises", and "Easy to Be Free" were Nelson compositions. 54 66 1989 ''Ricky Nelson Live (1983–1985)''* issued by Rhino Records* 18 songs featuring the Jordanaires* The first half was recorded on August 22, 1985, at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles while the remaining nine were waxed on February 22, 1983, at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois. * Nelson's second live album — — 1991 ''Live at the Aladdin''* Nelson was booked at the Las Vegas hotel on three occasions—March 7–20, June 6–20, and August 25 – September 5, 1978.It is unclear which show the 12 songs come from* featuring steel guitarist Tom Brumley, lead guitarist John Beland, and the Sweet Inspirations on backing vocals* produced by Beland* issued on the British Magnum Force label* Nelson's third live album — — 1999 ''A Night to Remember''* An audio document of Nelson's August 22, 1985, televised concert at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. * released by Fuel 2000 Records in cooperation with Varèse Sarabande* Nelson's fourth live album — —===Notable archival projects=== Year Album Peak positions 1993 ''Stay Young: The Epic Recordings''* the first compilation to unearth four of the "Back to Vienna" outtakes and strip away Steve Buckingham's mid-'80s production flourishes — 2003 ''The Lost '60s Recordings''* between 1961 and 1962 Nelson, Glen Campbell, Jerry "Travelin' Man" Fuller, and Dave Burgess collaborated vocally in two studio groups—the Trophies and the Fleas—although Nelson was never credited because he was contractually bound to Imperial Records* 18 tracks issued by Varèse Sarabande — 2004 ''Rick's Rarities (1964–1974)''* an Ace Records compilation excavating a selection of Nelson's unreleased Decca tunes  — 2012 ''The Complete Epic Recordings''* Real Gone Music released two CDs containing Nelson's entire 1976–1979 Epic tenure (i.e. ''Intakes'', ''Back to Vienna'', and ''Rockabilly Renaissance'') —===Box sets=== Year Album 2000 ''Legacy''* notable as the first Nelson box set* a four-CD career-encompassing project distributed by Capitol 2001 ''The American Dream: The Complete Imperial and Verve Recordings (1957–1963)''* the first installment of a chronological archival series released by Bear Family, a German indie label specializing in vintage country and pop 2008 ''For You: The Decca Years (1963–1969)''* the second Bear Family box set devoted to Nelson 2010 ''The Last Time Around (1970–1982)''* the third and ultimate Bear Family box set revisits Nelson's Stone Canyon Band tenure===Compilation albums=== Year Album Peak positions US 1963 ''Best Sellers by Rick Nelson''* Imperial Records* 1957 single "Stood Up" b/w "Waitin' in School" makes its LP debut 112 ''It's Up to You''* Imperial Records* 1962 single "It's Up to You" b/w "I Need You" makes its album debut 128 ''Million Sellers''* Imperial Records* "Young World", "Everlovin'", and "I Wanna Be Loved" make their LP debut  ''A Long Vacation''* Imperial Records 1964''Rick Nelson Sings For You''* Imperial compilation distributed on the coattails of Nelson's Decca hit "For You" — 1989 ''Lonesome Town (All-Time Greatest Hits)'' — 2005 ''Greatest Hits''* Capitol Records 56 2007 ''Ricky Rocks''* Bear Family — 2008 ''Greatest Love Songs''* Capitol set cherry-picking romantic highlights from Nelson's tenures on Imperial and Epic —
Singles  Year Single (A-side / B-side)Non-charting B-sides from same album as A-sides except as indicated Peak chart positions Label and catalog no. Album US US''Cashbox'' USCountry USAC CAN CANCountry CANAC UK AUS1957"A Teenager's Romance" /28——————34Verve 10047''Teen Time'' (Various artists)"I'm Walkin'"1712——————10"You're My One and Only Love"b/w "Honey Rock" (by Barney Kessel)1623———————Verve 10070"Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" /2921———————Imperial 5463''Ricky''"Be-Bop Baby"56——————331958"Stood Up" /238————2733Imperial 5483''Best Sellers by Rick Nelson''"Waitin' In School"18612——————"My Bucket's Got a Hole in It" /182010—————79Imperial 5503Non-album track"Believe What You Say"81210—————77''Ricky Sings Again''"Poor Little Fool"b/w "Don't Leave Me This Way"123————410Imperial 5528''Ricky Nelson''"Someday"b/w "I Got A Feeling" (Non-album track)———————966London 8732  (UK only)"Lonesome Town" /77——————26Imperial 5545''Ricky Sings Again''"I Got a Feeling"1015—————2785Non-album track1959"It's Late" /96—————328Imperial 5565''Ricky Sings Again''"Never Be Anyone Else But You"65—————1414"Just a Little Too Much" / 918—————1111Imperial 5595''Songs by Ricky''"Sweeter Than You" 911—————1963"I Wanna Be Loved" /2021—————3035Imperial 5614''Million Sellers''"Mighty Good" 3857——————35Non-album track1960"Young Emotions" /1211—————4833Imperial 5663''Million Sellers''"Right by My Side" 5970——————33"I'm Not Afraid" /2740———————Imperial 5685''More Songs by Ricky''"Yes Sir, That's My Baby"3449——————36''Million Sellers''"You Are the Only One" /2529——————76Imperial 5707"Milk Cow Blues"79101———————1961"Travelin' Man" /11—————21Imperial 5741''Rick Is 21''"Hello Mary Lou" 99—————21"A Wonder Like You" /1111——————14Imperial 5770Non-album tracks"Everlovin'" 1620—————23—1962"Young World" /59—————1911Imperial 5805"Summertime" 89111———————''Album Seven by Rick''"Today's Teardrops" (AU & Europe only) /————————32Imperial IH 568 (EU)London HL-1954 (AU)"Mad, Mad World" ————————32"Teen Age Idol" /59—2———3918Imperial 5864Non-album tracks"I've Got My Eyes on You (And I Like What I See)"105130——————18"It's Up to You" /67—4———2218Imperial 5901''It's Up to You''"I Need You" 8391———————1963"I'm in Love Again" /6751——————50Imperial 5910''Ricky Nelson''"That's All"4853——————50''Songs by Ricky''"You Don't Love Me Anymore (And I Can Tell)" /4748———————Decca 31475''For Your Sweet Love''"I Got a Woman"4958——————45"If You Can't Rock Me" /100————————Imperial 5935''It's Up to You''"Old Enough to Love" 9486———————''Ricky Sings Again''"A Long Vacation"b/w "Mad Mad World"120107———————Imperial 5958''A Long Vacation''"Gypsy Woman" /6291——————26Decca 31495''For Your Sweet Love''"String Along" 2517——————26"There's Not a Minute"b/w "Time After Time" (from More Songs by Ricky)127149———————Imperial 5985''Album Seven by Rick''"Fools Rush In" /12——————1226Decca 31533''Rick Nelson Sings for You''"Down Home" 126131———————"Today's Teardrops"b/w "Thank You Darlin'"5465———————Imperial 66004''Album Seven by Rick''"For You"b/w "That's All She Wrote"68—1———1410Decca 31574''Rick Nelson Sings for You''1964"Congratulations"b/w "One Minute To One" (from Songs by Ricky)63104———————Imperial 66017 ''Album Seven by Rick''"The Very Thought of You"b/w "I Wonder (If Your Love Will Ever Belong To Me)"2619—11————65Decca 31612 ''The Very Thought of You''"Lucky Star"b/w "Everybody But Me"127142———————Imperial 66039''Rick Is 21''"There's Nothing I Can Say" /4749—18————90Decca 31656Non-album track"Lonely Corner" 113105———————''Best Always''"A Happy Guy" /8283———————Decca 31703''Spotlight on Rick''"Don't Breathe a Word"tag———————1965"Mean Old World"b/w "When The Chips Are Down"9694———————Decca 31756''Best Always''"Come Out Dancing"b/w "Yesterday's Love" (from Spotlight on Rick)130131———————Decca 31800''Love and Kisses''"Love and Kisses"b/w "Say You Love Me"—124———————Decca 318451966"Fire Breathin' Dragon"b/w "Your Kind Of Lovin'"—————————Decca 31900Non-album tracks"You Just Can't Quit"b/w "Louisiana Man"10876——24———81Decca 31956''Bright Lights and Country Music''"Things You Gave Me"b/w "Alone"—————————Decca 32026''Country Fever''1967"They Don't Give Medals (To Yesterday's Heroes)"b/w "Take a Broken Heart"—————————Decca 32055''On the Flip Side – Original Cast Album''"Take a City Bride"b/w "I'm Called Lonely" (Non-album track)——58——————Decca 32120''Country Fever''1968"Suzanne on a Sunday Morning"b/w "Moonshine" (Non-album track)—————————Decca 32176''Another Side of Rick''"Dream Weaver"b/w "Baby Close Its Eyes"—————————Decca 322221969"Don't Blame It on Your Wife"b/w "Promenade in Green"—————————Decca 32284"Don't Make Promises"b/w "Barefoot Boy"—————————Decca 32298"She Belongs to Me"b/w "Promises" (Non-album track)3330—2733————Decca 32558''Rick Nelson in Concert''1970"Easy to Be Free"b/w "Come On In"4850—2146————Decca 32635"I Shall Be Released"b/w "If You Gotta Go, Go Now"102————————Decca 32676"We Got Such a Long Way to Go"b/w "Look at Mary"—————————Decca 32711''Rick Sings Nelson''1971"How Long"b/w "Down Along the Bayou Country"—————————Decca 32739"Life"b/w "California" (from ''Rick Sings Nelson'')109110—15—————Decca 32779''Rudy the Fifth''1972"Thank You Lord"b/w "Sing Me a Song"—————————Decca 32860"Gypsy Pilot"b/w "Love Minus Zero/No Limit"—————————Decca 32906"Garden Party"b/w "So Long Mama"6344115213416Decca 32980''Garden Party''1973"Palace Guard"b/w "A Flower Opens Gently By"6579——80————MCA 40001"Lifestream"b/w "Evil Woman Child"—105———————MCA 40130''Windfall''1974"Windfall"b/w "Legacy"—116—46————62MCA 40187"One Night Stand"b/w "Lifestream"——89——————MCA 402141975"Try (Try to Fall in Love)"b/w "Louisiana Belle"—————————MCA 40392Non-album tracks"Rock and Roll Lady"b/w "Fadeaway"—————————MCA 404581977"You Can't Dance"b/w "It's Another Day"—————————Epic 50458''Intakes''1978"Gimme a Little Sign"b/w "Something You Just Can't Buy"—————————Epic 505011979"Dream Lover"b/w "That Ain't the Way Love's Supposed to Be"——5929—55———Epic 50674''Rockabilly Renaissance'' (Unreleased)1981"It Hasn't Happened Yet"b/w "Call It What You Want"—————————Capitol 4974''Playing To Win''"Believe What You Say" New Version b/w "The Loser Babe Is You"—————————Capitol 49881982"Give 'em My Number"b/w "No Fair Falling in Love"—————————Capitol 5178Non-album tracks1986"You Know What I Mean"b/w "Don't Leave Me This Way" New Version—————————MCA 52781''All My Best''"Dream Lover" (re-issue)b/w "Rave On"——88——57———Epic 06066''Memphis Sessions''1991"Hello Mary Lou"b/w "It's Late" (UK only release)———————45—Liberty EMCT 2===''Billboard'' Year-end performances=== Year Song Year-endposition 1957 "A Teenager's Romance" 25 "Be-Bop Baby" 42 1958 "Stood Up" / "Waitin' in School" 17 "Poor Little Fool" 24 1959 "Never Be Anyone Else But You" 42 "It's Late" 74 "Just a Little Too Much" 78 "Sweeter Than You" 83 1960 "Young Emotions" 85 1961 "Travelin' Man" 23 "Hello Mary Lou" 49 1962 "Young World" 43 1972 "Garden Party" 46
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