Nelson was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and a member of family group Nelson Five. She was later a backup singer for Major Harris and Philly Cream. She worked and recorded for several years from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s. Her records were mostly dance oriented. She also recorded numerous records during the disco era.
In 1984, she recorded a self-writtenballad entitled "Move Closer". It was a complete departure from the type of music she had been recording. The lyrics of "Move Closer" were based on a long-term love affair she had with a much younger man in Philadelphia, who was struggling to start his own computer business. They lived together for several years, raising Nelson's two children (Marc and Kenya) that she had from previous relationships.
While "Move Closer" failed to find an audience in her native United States, it was successful in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at the top of the UK Singles Chart in April 1985.[1] The song remained on the chart for almost six months,[1] and became one of Britain's best selling singles of the year.[3]
Based in France, she recorded a single with the FrenchactorAlain Delon: "I Don't Know". It was included in the original soundtrack of the 1985 French filmParole De Flic (Cop's Honor). Her subsequent releases failed to make any impression (except "I Like You" which made No. 81),[4] and she is remembered as a one-hit wonder.[3]
