Rick Nelson – String Along / Gypsy Woman

Rick Nelson – String Along / Gypsy Woman

A classic slice of early-1960s Rick Nelson (also known as Ricky Nelson), String Along / Gypsy Woman was issued by Decca Records in 1963, arriving during an important period in Nelson's transition from his early rockabilly and teen-pop successes towards a more mature country-influenced pop and rock sound. The US single was released as Decca 31495, with “String Along” as the A-side and “Gypsy Woman” on the reverse.

“String Along” was written by Bobby Doyle and Jimmy Duncan and became a sizeable US hit for Nelson, reaching No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963. The recording has the polished, romantic vocal-pop style that characterised much of Nelson's work during this period, while retaining the understated rock & roll sensibility that had made him one of the biggest stars of the late 1950s.

The B-side, “Gypsy Woman”, was written by Dorsey Burnette and Joe Osborn and provides a striking contrast. More upbeat and rhythmically forceful than the A-side, it has been described as an unusually tough performance for Nelson's early-60s period. Both tracks were later included on Nelson's For Your Sweet Love album, with “Gypsy Woman” standing out as one of the record's more energetic performances.

The single also reflects the changing landscape of Nelson's career. By 1963 he was no longer simply the clean-cut television idol of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, but an established recording artist exploring a broader palette of pop, rock, country and R&B-influenced material. His smooth vocal delivery and carefully arranged backing helped bridge the gap between his late-1950s rock & roll records and the more sophisticated country-rock direction he would increasingly pursue later in the decade.

For collectors, String Along / Gypsy Woman is an excellent example of 1960s Rick Nelson vinyl, particularly appealing to fans of early rock & roll, American pop and the crossover between rockabilly, country and mainstream pop. The double-sided strength of the record is a bonus, with “String Along” providing the commercial pop side and “Gypsy Woman” offering a tougher, more rhythm-driven alternative.

A highly collectable 1963 7" from one of the key figures in the development of American rock and country-pop, this is an essential addition for anyone building a collection around Rick Nelson, 1950s and 1960s rock & roll, American teen pop or early country rock.

Tracklist

Side A

1. String Along – 2:14

Side B

1. Gypsy Woman – 2:25