Rick Nelson – Travelin’ Man – 1961
About the song
Welcome to my blog, where I share my passion for music and history. Today, I want to talk about one of my favorite songs from the 1960s: Travelin’ Man by Ricky Nelson.
Travelin’ Man is a catchy pop song that tells the story of a globe-trotting lover who has a girl in every port. It was released in 1961 as a double A-side with Hello Mary Lou, and it reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as in several other countries. It was written by Jerry Fuller, who originally intended it for Sam Cooke, but his manager rejected it. Luckily, it ended up in the hands of Ricky Nelson, who gave it a charming and upbeat rendition.
Ricky Nelson was one of the first teen idols of the rock and roll era. He started his career as an actor on his parents’ popular radio and TV show, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. He soon became a successful singer as well, scoring numerous hits in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was known for his smooth voice, handsome looks, and versatile style, ranging from rockabilly to ballads. He was also one of the first artists to use Elvis Presley’s backing singers, The Jordanaires, on his recordings.
Travelin’ Man showcases Nelson’s vocal skills and charisma, as well as his adventurous spirit. The song features a catchy melody and a lively arrangement, with a prominent guitar riff and a saxophone solo. The lyrics are fun and playful, listing the different women that the narrator has met around the world: a señorita in Mexico, an Eskimo in Alaska, a fräulein in Berlin, a china doll in Hong Kong, and a Polynesian in Waikiki. The song also reflects the cultural fascination with exotic places and people that was prevalent in the 1960s.
Travelin’ Man is a classic song that has stood the test of time. It has been covered by many artists, such as Jacky Ward, Clover, and Glen Campbell. It has also been used in various movies and TV shows, such as Stranger Things, King of the Hill, and The Simpsons. It is a song that celebrates love, travel, and music, and it always puts me in a good mood.
I hope you enjoyed this introduction and history of Travelin’ Man by Ricky Nelson. If you want to listen to the song or watch the video, you can find them on YouTube or Spotify. And if you want to read more about Ricky Nelson or Jerry Fuller, you can check out their Wikipedia pages or their official websites. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more posts about classic hits.
