Ricky Nelson discography explained

Artist:	Rick Nelson
Studio:	24
Soundtrack:	1
Compilation:	9
Option:	4
Option Name:	Box sets
1Option:	5
1Option Name:	Notable archival projects
Live:	4
Singles:	94

Eric 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 ^[1]	US Country ^[2]	AUS ^[3]	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	—	—

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 Album)	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	US Country	US AC	CAN	CAN Country	CAN AC	UK ^[4]	AUS ^[5]
1957	"A Teenager's Romance" /^[6]	2	8	—	—	—	—	—	—	34	Verve 10047	Teen Time (Various artists)
	"I'm Walkin'"	17	12	—	—	—	—	—	—	10
	"You're My One and Only Love" b/w "Honey Rock" (by Barney Kessel)	16	23	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Verve 10070
	"Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" /	29	21	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Imperial 5463	Ricky
	"Be-Bop Baby"	5	6	—	—	—	—	—	—	33
1958	"Stood Up" /	2	3	8	—	—	—	—	27	33	Imperial 5483	Best Sellers by Rick Nelson
	"Waitin' In School"	18	6	12	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"My Bucket's Got a Hole in It" /	18	20	10	—	—	—	—	—	79	Imperial 5503	Non-album track
	"Believe What You Say"	8	12	10	—	—	—	—	—	77		Ricky Sings Again
	"Poor Little Fool" b/w "Don't Leave Me This Way"	1	2	3	—	—	—	—	4	10	Imperial 5528	Ricky Nelson
	"Someday" b/w "I Got A Feeling" (Non-album track)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	9	66	London 8732 (UK only)
	"Lonesome Town" /	7	7	—	—	—	—	—	—	26	Imperial 5545	Ricky Sings Again
	"I Got a Feeling"	10	15	—	—	—	—	—	27	85		Non-album track
1959	"It's Late" /	9	6	—	—	—	—	—	3	28	Imperial 5565	Ricky Sings Again
	"Never Be Anyone Else But You"	6	5	—	—	—	—	—	14	14
	"Just a Little Too Much" /	9	18	—	—	—	—	—	11	11	Imperial 5595	Songs by Ricky
	"Sweeter Than You"	9	11	—	—	—	—	—	19	63
	"I Wanna Be Loved" /	20	21	—	—	—	—	—	30	35	Imperial 5614	Million Sellers
	"Mighty Good"	38	57	—	—	—	—	—	—	35		Non-album track
1960	"Young Emotions" /	12	11	—	—	—	—	—	48	33	Imperial 5663	Million Sellers
	"Right by My Side"	59	70	—	—	—	—	—	—	33
	"I'm Not Afraid" /	27	40	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Imperial 5685	More Songs by Ricky
	"Yes Sir, That's My Baby"	34	49	—	—	—	—	—	—	36		Million Sellers
	"You Are the Only One" /	25	29	—	—	—	—	—	—	76	Imperial 5707
	"Milk Cow Blues"	79	101	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1961	"Travelin' Man" /	1	1	—	—	—	—	—	2	1	Imperial 5741	Rick Is 21
	"Hello Mary Lou"	9	9	—	—	—	—	—	2	1
	"A Wonder Like You" /	11	11	—	—	—	—	—	—	14	Imperial 5770	Non-album tracks
	"Everlovin'"	16	20	—	—	—	—	—	23	—
1962	"Young World" /	5	9	—	—	—	—	—	19	11	Imperial 5805
	"Summertime"	89	111	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Album Seven by Rick
	"Today's Teardrops" (AU & Europe only) /	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	32	Imperial IH 568 (EU) London HL-1954 (AU)
	"Mad, Mad World"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	32
	"Teen Age Idol" /	5	9	—	2	—	—	—	39	18	Imperial 5864	Non-album tracks
	"I've Got My Eyes on You (And I Like What I See)"	105	130	—	—	—	—	—	—	18
	"It's Up to You" /	6	7	—	4	—	—	—	22	18	Imperial 5901	It's Up to You
	"I Need You"	83	91	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1963	"I'm in Love Again" /	67	51	—	—	—	—	—	—	50	Imperial 5910	Ricky Nelson
	"That's All"	48	53	—	—	—	—	—	—	50		Songs by Ricky
	"You Don't Love Me Anymore (And I Can Tell)" /	47	48	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Decca 31475	For Your Sweet Love
	"I Got a Woman"	49	58	—	—	—	—	—	—	45
	"If You Can't Rock Me" /	100	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Imperial 5935	It's Up to You
	"Old Enough to Love"	94	86	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Ricky Sings Again
	"A Long Vacation" b/w "Mad Mad World"	120	107	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Imperial 5958	A Long Vacation
	"Gypsy Woman" /	62	91	—	—	—	—	—	—	26	Decca 31495	For Your Sweet Love
	"String Along"	25	17	—	—	—	—	—	—	26
	"There's Not a Minute" b/w "Time After Time" (from More Songs by Ricky)	127	149	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Imperial 5985	Album Seven by Rick
	"Fools Rush In" /	12	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	26	Decca 31533	Rick Nelson Sings for You
	"Down Home"	126	131	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"Today's Teardrops" b/w "Thank You Darlin'"	54	65	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Imperial 66004	Album Seven by Rick
	"For You" b/w "That's All She Wrote"	6	8	—	1	—	—	—	14	10	Decca 31574	Rick Nelson Sings for You
1964	"Congratulations" b/w "One Minute To One" (from Songs by Ricky)	63	104	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Imperial 66017	Album Seven by Rick
	"The Very Thought of You" b/w "I Wonder (If Your Love Will Ever Belong To Me)"	26	19	—	11	—	—	—	—	65	Decca 31612	The Very Thought of You
	"Lucky Star" b/w "Everybody But Me"	127	142	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Imperial 66039	Rick Is 21
	"There's Nothing I Can Say" /	47	49	—	18	—	—	—	—	90	Decca 31656	Non-album track
	"Lonely Corner"	113	105	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Best Always
	"A Happy Guy" /	82	83	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Decca 31703	Spotlight on Rick
	"Don't Breathe a Word"		tag	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1965	"Mean Old World" b/w "When The Chips Are Down"	96	94	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Decca 31756	Best Always
	"Come Out Dancing" b/w "Yesterday's Love" (from Spotlight on Rick)	130	131	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Decca 31800	Love and Kisses
	"Love and Kisses" b/w "Say You Love Me"	—	124	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Decca 31845
1966	"Fire Breathin' Dragon" b/w "Your Kind Of Lovin'"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Decca 31900	Non-album tracks
	"You Just Can't Quit" b/w "Louisiana Man"	108	76	—	—	24	—	—	—	81	Decca 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 32222
1969	"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)	33	30	—	27	33	—	—	—	—	Decca 32558	Rick Nelson in Concert
1970	"Easy to Be Free" b/w "Come On In"	48	50	—	21	46	—	—	—	—	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)	109	110	—	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"	6	3	44	1	1	52	13	41	6	Decca 32980	Garden Party
1973	"Palace Guard" b/w "A Flower Opens Gently By"	65	79	—	—	80	—	—	—	—	MCA 40001
	"Lifestream" b/w "Evil Woman Child"	—	105	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	MCA 40130	Windfall
1974	"Windfall" b/w "Legacy"	—	116	—	46	—	—	—	—	62	MCA 40187
	"One Night Stand" b/w "Lifestream"	—	—	89	—	—	—	—	—	—	MCA 40214
1975	"Try (Try to Fall in Love)" b/w "Louisiana Belle"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	MCA 40392	Non-album tracks
	"Rock and Roll Lady" b/w "Fadeaway"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	MCA 40458
1977	"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 50501
1979	"Dream Lover" b/w "That Ain't the Way Love's Supposed to Be"	—	—	59	29	—	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 4988
1982	"Give 'em My Number" b/w "No Fair Falling in Love"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Capitol 5178	Non-album tracks
1986	"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-end position
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

Notes and References

1. For peaks after 1963: Ricky Nelson Chart History: Billboard 200. Billboard. March 24, 2022.
2. Ricky Nelson Chart History: Top Country Albums. Billboard. March 24, 2022.
3. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian)

   . David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 214.

4. Book: Roberts , David . 2006. British Hit Singles & Albums. 19th. Guinness World Records Limited . London. 1-904994-10-5. 389–390.
5. Book: Kent, David. Australian Chart Book (1940–1969). Australian Chart Book, 2005. Turramurra, N.S.W.. 2005. 0-646-44439-5.
6. http://www.rockhall.com/inductees/ricky-nelson "For his first recording, Nelson cut a double-sided smash: "A Teenager's Romance" backed with Fats Domino's "I'm Walkin'."