REQ: "Garden Party"

[Richard J. Violette]

Does anyone know the lyrics to this Rick Nelson song from the mid-70s?
I posted this request about two months ago but got no reply at the
time.

TIA,

/s/ Rich.V.

[Larry Blumenfeld]

Richard J. Violette wrote:
>
> Does anyone know the lyrics to this Rick Nelson song from the mid-70s?
> I posted this request about two months ago but got no reply at the
> time.

I'm actually surprised you didn't get a reply...but here it is now.

GARDEN PARTY, written by Rick Nelson late in 1971 as an answer to the
people who booed him at a Rock N' Roll Revival concert at Madison Square
Garden in October, when he tried to play new material along with his
hits.

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
But it's all right now
I learned my lesson well
You see you can't please everyone
So you got to please yourself

Poeple came from miles around
Everyone was there
Yoko brought her walrus
There was magic in the air
And over in the corner
Much to my surprise
Mr. Hughes hid in Dylan's shoes
Wearin' his disguise
But it's...

I played them all the old songs
I 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
But it's...

Someone opened up the closet door
And out stepped Johnny B. Goode
Playin' guitar like ringin' a bell
And lookin' like he should
If you gotta play garden parties
I wish you a lotta luck
But if memories were all I sang
I'd rather drive a truck
But it's...

Any mistakes are either intentional or otherwise.
I don't mess around, boy.

Happy trails,
Larry B.