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14 Jan 02 - 01:33 AM (#627451) Subject: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: Gary T I'm curious about the meaning of some of the lyrics in this song. I know the basic story, he was booed off the stage at a Madison Square Garden concert in 1971 for trying to play some of his then current songs. I'd just like to know some of the details and get some clarification on a few lines.
The fourth line of the second verse reads: Mr. Hughes hid in Dylan's shoes wearing his disguise
Third verse, line one: Played them all the old songs, thought that's why they came
Third verse, line three: I said hello to "Mary Lou", she belongs to me He mentions appearance three times in the song (...didn't look the same..., etc.). Was it really that big of a deal to the audience? Did they start booing before he sang just because he didn't look like he did in 1960?
Fourth verse, line four: But if memories were all I sang, I'd rather drive a truck |
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14 Jan 02 - 02:47 AM (#627461) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: Muskrat Members of the band later explained (and they may not have known at the time) that a fight had broken out among some members of the audience, and it was the fighters who were being booed. Doesn't make quite as good a story, though. Nelson had recorded and released his own version of "She Belongs to Me," so he is in fact listing two songs. Dylan being known at the time for keeping a rather low profile, as did Howard Hughes, Nelson is expressing surprise (and probably pride) that Dylan the recluse came to see the show. And, of course, before too long, memories were pretty much all Nelson sang, as he devoted his show to his old hits -- and, from all accounts, had a fine time doing as much, though it might have hurt him somewhat thet audiences would rather hear Hello Mary Lou than Fire Breathing Dragon or whatever. Now, back to "folk" music... |
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14 Jan 02 - 01:35 PM (#627754) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: Gary T Thanks for that info, Muskrat. Is it known that he performed "She Belongs to Me" during that show? Anyone else got some tidbits? |
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14 Jan 02 - 01:47 PM (#627764) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: John Hardly I appreciate the question. I too have always been curious by the seeming conflict between "...played them all the old songs...", and reports that the reason he was booed was because he didn't play his old hits. That coupled with the "...if memories..." line, it just didn't make sense. |
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14 Jan 02 - 02:04 PM (#627775) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: SharonA Here's the "official" Rick Nelson website: click here There's not much insight there, in his bio, but there are links to fan sites, and someone there may have the answers you seek. Good luck, and let us know what you find out! |
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24 Oct 10 - 07:47 PM (#3014625) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: GUEST I was at this famous concert in the winter of 1970-1971. This was an oldies show with Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, The Shirelles, The Coasters and Ricky Nelson. Madison Square was not sold out that night but had about 14,000 concert goers out of 20,000 seats. Ricky Nelson came out last playing country music with his Stone Canyon Band. The people booed this new unknown music as this was an oldies show. When he ended his set with Hello Mary Lou preceded by his old hits, he was given a standing ovation. That is the true story of the Garden Party. steve |
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25 Oct 10 - 03:28 AM (#3014753) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email) Garden Party has been a favorite of mine, I knew that it was in response to that MSG show. I always just liked the sentiment of the chorus and that was enough for me. My favorite Rick Nelson tune hands down is "Gypsy Pilot" of Rudy the Fifth. The song is chillingly prophetic and it ends the album with a plane crash. Great record, and his most unknown |
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25 Oct 10 - 06:01 AM (#3014788) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: bubblyrat He was a great influence on me,and I suspect ,a lot of other people in the UK in the early 1960s.Of course,there was a lot going on ,musically,at that time,but somehow he seemed to stand out from the others,and "his" sound was "the one for me" ! My favourites were "Mary Lou" ,naturally, and "It's Up To You" ; "Garden Party" came much later,when he'd metamorphosed from "Ricky" to "Rick",when he performed it whilst guest-starring in a TV detective show ; McCloud ?? With Diana Muldour or someone ?? 1970s ?? Anyway,even though I am 100% "straight" and never had any inclinations the other way, I have to admit that Ricky sure was a really pretty boy !! Those whom the Gods love ....... |
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25 Oct 10 - 01:01 PM (#3015095) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: Cool Beans Good memory, Bubbly! According to the Internet Movie Database (imdb.com) Rick Nelson did appear in an episode of McCloud in the early 1970s. Diana Muldaur (Geoff's sister. Really.) appeared in 15 episodes of McCloud, so it's quite possible she and Rick were in the same one. |
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20 Nov 10 - 02:06 PM (#3036852) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: GUEST yes here's a tidbit rick nelson amd willie nelson are 1st cousins willie is older brother al nelson son and ozzie's brother ozzie was a bandleader for many years before the radio show then the tv show the nelsons are a very musical family |
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20 Nov 10 - 02:33 PM (#3036866) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: tritoneman Here's another little titbit. The formidable flat-picker Clarence White played the rather tasty acoustic guitar stuff on it! |
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21 Nov 10 - 06:21 AM (#3037256) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: bubblyrat Yes ! And the little "riff" right at the end has almost become a "musical cliche" for some players ( me, for example !). |
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21 Nov 10 - 07:48 AM (#3037289) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: tritoneman Yes - for me too! |
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27 Feb 12 - 12:31 AM (#3313906) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: GUEST Who composed the music for "The Garden Party" |
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27 Feb 12 - 01:52 AM (#3313913) Subject: ADDPOP: Garden Party (Rick Nelson) From: Joe Offer Hi- The Harry Fox Agency's songfile.com Website lists Rick Nelson and "Brimhall" as the songwriters. This page seems to indicate that John Brimhall was an arranger employed by the Famous Music Corporation. BMI and other sources attribute the song simply to Rick Nelson / Eric Hilliard Nelson. -Joe- GARDEN PARTY (Rick Nelson, 1972) I went to a garden party to reminisce with my old friends A chance to share old memories and play our songs again When i got to the garden party, they all knew my name No one recognized me, i didn't look the same [Chorus] But it's all right now, i learned my lesson well. You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself People came from miles around, everyone was there Yoko brought her walrus, there was magic in the air 'n' over in the corner, much to my surprise Mr. Hughes hid in dylan's shoes wearing his disguise [Chorus] Lott-in-dah-dah-dah, lot-in-dah-dah-dah Played them all the old songs, thought that's why they came No one heard the music, we didn't look the same I said hello to "mary lou", she belongs to me When i sang a song about a honky-tonk, it was time to leave [Chorus] Lot-dah-dah-dah (lot-dah-dah-dah) Lot-in-dah-dah-dah Someone opened up a closet door and out stepped johnny b. goode Playing guitar like a-ringin' a bell and lookin' like he should If you gotta play at garden parties, i wish you a lotta luck But if memories were all i sang, i'd rather drive a truck [Chorus] Lot-dah-dah-dah (lot-dah-dah-dah) Lot-in-dah-dah-dah 'n' it's all right now, learned my lesson well You see, ya can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself --- "Garden Party" as written by Ricky Nelson Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing Source: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/136460/ |
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27 Feb 12 - 07:35 AM (#3313965) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: GUEST,JB I said hello to "mary lou", she belongs to me. He had a hit with it, so in that sense it beloned to him. However, the song was written by the great Gene Pitney. JB |
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06 Dec 13 - 11:56 AM (#3582059) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: GUEST I was at that oldies show in Madison Square Garden the night they booed Rick Nelson off the stage. His reference to "I didn't look the same" came from the sequined Elvis Presley type outfit he wore and his really long hair. He did sing a lot of his old songs but then started doing songs that were new and unfamiliar to the audience. In Garden Party he says " when I sang a song about a honky-tonk it was time to leave" the audience started to boo his version of the Rolling Stones Honky-Tonk Woman. That was when he ran off the stage, there was never a fight in the audience. |
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06 Dec 13 - 12:02 PM (#3582062) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: GUEST I think some people who were at the show have the timeline mixed up. Ricky Nelson did sing Hello Mary Lou and got a standing ovation and wasn't booed until he started Honky-Tonk woman. It was at that point when he left the stage. |
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06 Dec 13 - 12:32 PM (#3582071) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: Backwoodsman I've always believed that it was James Burton who played the guitar stuff on 'HML' - another illusion shattered! |
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02 Jan 14 - 01:15 PM (#3588423) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: GUEST There is some debate on Mr Hughes. The most obvious explanation is that this refers to Howard Hughes, who became quite a recluse. It also could be George Harrison, who traveled in disguise and used the name Hughes. Wiki lists both explanations and wiki is never wrong! I love the song and Tom Brumley's steel in it. I forgot the song over the last few decades, but looked it up a while ago. Now I wonder if this song come out of a hissy fit? LOL No matter, it's a great tune and Ricky Nelson got the last laugh at the garden party, toping Billboard's chart for two weeks. |
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03 Jan 14 - 12:26 PM (#3588703) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: Thompson The song sounds bitter and sad; it's easily understood by any artist, big or small, who's recognised for what a fan in a Woody Allen film called "your earlier, funnier works", while new work is given a "yeah, ok so". Poor Ricky Nelson had the sad fate of being hugely successful young, and then having a fading career with occasional teasing comebacks. |
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12 Jan 14 - 04:03 PM (#3591435) Subject: RE: Rick Nelson's 'Garden Party'--details? From: GUEST,DTM Quote : "From: Backwoodsman Date: 06 Dec 13 - 12:32 PM I've always believed that it was James Burton who played the guitar stuff on 'HML' - another illusion shattered!" Where did you find that info? I've seen James Burton's tutor video and I'm sure he demonstrates how he played the instrumental break in HML. It definitely sounds like his chicken-pickin' style. BTW, one of my fav. Rick Nelson songs was "Down Home" - another Goffin/King gem (B side of Fools Rush In). The instrumental break is superb. James B? MayB ;-) |