Saturday 9: For You

Saturday 9: For You (1963)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Rick Nelson tells us he'd give his girl the stars from sky or a string of pearls. Have you more recently given or received a gift? What was it?

A. I recently received a gift. It was two fantasy books.

2) By the time this record was released, Rick was already a show business veteran. He had been a regular on his family's sitcom, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, since it began airing on radio when he was just 8. Most of us weren't child performers but many of us had chores around the house. When you were young, did your parents give you an allowance?

A. My parents did not give me an allowance. They just sometimes gave me money. I had to do the chores regardless.

3) The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet moved to TV, where fans saw Rick grow into a teen who drove a 1932 Roadster. The car really belonged to Tony La Masa, who collected classic cars and rented them out to TV and movie producers. Have you ever earned or raised money with your hobby?

A. I used to play guitar in a cover band when I was in high school. That was how I earned money throughout those years instead of driving into the city to sling hash or whatever. 

4) Paul McCartney has called Rick Nelson an "underrated singer who could really carry a song" and said Rick was one of his influences. Who do you believe you have influenced, professionally or personally?

A. I don't know. When I was working with the newspaper, I could write articles that would influence people to give donations to needy causes. 

5)  This week's song was already an oldie by the time Rick performed it. "For You" was recorded the first time by Casa Loma Orchestra in 1933. In those days, most records were 78 rpm discs, thick and usually only able to hold 3 to 5 minutes of sound per side. Most record companies stopped producing them in the 1950s. Have you ever seen a "78?" 

A. I have indeed seen a "78" record. I have played them, too, on an old Victrola.

 

6) The lyrics to "For You" were written by Al Dubin. After Al left college, he supported himself as a singing waiter. That's really two jobs in one. Which would you do better at: singer or server?

A. In my younger days I could have been a singer, perhaps. My voice is too thin now.

 

7) The music was written by Joe Burke, whose last hit song was "Rambling Rose," recorded in 1948 by Perry Como. Have you ever heard of Perry Como?

A. I have indeed heard of Perry Como.

8) In 1963, when Ricky's recording was on the charts, the Zip Code was introduced. How many different Zips have you lived in?

A. I have lived in three zip codes and possibly was alive when there were no zip codes.

 

9) Random question: When you were in high school, were you taller or shorter than your classmates? Or were you the average height?

A. I have always been short but growing up I felt like I was keeping up with everyone else until high school.

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