Born in Glendale, Arizona, Robbins taught himself guitar while serving in the United States Navy during World War II, and subsequently drew fame performing in clubs in and around his hometown. In 1956, he released his first No. 1 country song, "Singing the Blues" and one year later, released two more No. 1 hits, "A White Sport Coat" and "The Story of My Life". In 1959, Robbins released his signature song, "El Paso", for which he won the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording. Later releases that drew critical acclaim include "Don't Worry", "Big Iron" and "Honkytonk Man", the last for which the 1982 Clint Eastwood film is named, and in which Robbins made his final appearance before death.
Over the course of his career, Robbins recorded more than 500 songs and 60 albums, and won two Grammy Awards, was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and was named the 1960s Artist of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music. Robbins was a commercial success in both the country and pop genres, and his songs were covered by many other famous artists, including Johnny Cash, the Grateful Dead and Elvis Presley. His music continues to have an influence in pop culture today, having recently appeared in several contemporary pop culture features, including the video game Fallout: New Vegas, and the series finale of AMC's Breaking Bad.
Robbins was born in Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix in Maricopa County, Arizona. His mother was mostly of Paiute Indian heritage. Robbins grew up in a difficult family situation. His father took odd jobs to support the family of 10 children; however, his hard drinking led to divorce in 1937. Among his warmer memories of his childhood, Robbins recalled having listened to stories of the American West told by his maternal grandfather, Texas Bob Heckle, who was a local medicine man. At 17, Robbins left his troubled home to serve in the United States Navy as an LCT coxswain during World War II. He was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean. To pass the time during the war, he learned to play the guitar, started writing songs, and came to love Hawaiian music.
Robbins' discography consists of 52 studio albums, 13 compilation albums, and 100 singles. In his career, Robbins charted 17 Number One singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, as well as 82 Top 40 singles.
Robbins' highest charting album is 1959's Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs. It charted to #6 on the all-genre Billboard 200, and was also certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album's first single, "El Paso", became a hit on both the country and pop charts, charting to Number One on the Hot Country Songs as well as the Billboard Hot 100. While that would be his only pop Number One, in 1957, "A White Sport Coat" charted to #2, and in 1961, "Don't Worry" charted to #3.
His final Top 10 single was "Honkytonk Man" from the 1982 eponymous film in which Robbins had a role. He died shortly before its release. Since his death, four posthumous studio albums have been released, but they made no impact on the charts.
Robbins married Marizona "Mari" Baldwin on September 27, 1948. They had two children, Ronny and Janet, and were married 34 years until his death.
18 Yellow Roses
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eighteen yellow roses in a pretty bouquet
When the boy came to the door
I didn't know what to say
But eighteen yellow roses came today
I opened up the card to see what it said
I couldn't believe my eyes
When I had read
Yes eighteen yellow roses came today
I never doubted your love for a minute
I always thought that you would be true
But now this box and the flowers in it
I guess there's nothin' left for me to do
But ask to meet the boy that's done this thing
And find out if he's got plans to buy you a ring
'Cause eighteen yellow roses will wilt and die one day
But a father's love will never fade away
Will never fade away
Marty Robbins's song "18 Yellow Roses" tells the story of a girl who receives eighteen yellow roses from a boy. She opens the card and finds out that the boy loves her even though she belongs to someone else. The girl is at a loss for words, not knowing what to say. She realizes that someone loves her, even though she is taken. She thought that her lover would be true, but the flowers and the note have left her feeling uncertain.
The singer is confused about what to do next. She considers asking to meet the boy who sent the flowers, to find out if he has plans to buy her a ring. She also acknowledges that the flowers will eventually wilt and die, but a father's love will never fade away.
The song has a melancholic tone, reflecting the girl's confusion and the uncertain future of her love life.
In summary, the lyrics of "18 Yellow Roses" sing about a girl's complex emotions as she receives eighteen yellow roses from a boy who loves her despite her being taken by another. She is confused and unsure of what to do next, but she knows that a father's love will remain constant.
Line by Line Meaning
Eighteen yellow roses came today
Today, a bouquet of 18 yellow roses arrived.
Eighteen yellow roses in a pretty bouquet
The bouquet of 18 yellow roses is arranged beautifully.
When the boy came to the door
A boy delivered the bouquet.
I didn't know what to say
The recipient was speechless.
But eighteen yellow roses came today
The recipient received 18 yellow roses today.
I opened up the card to see what it said
The recipient opened the accompanying card.
I couldn't believe my eyes
The recipient was in disbelief.
When I had read
After reading the card.
Though you belong to another I love you anyway
The sender expressed unconditional love despite the recipient being in a relationship.
Yes eighteen yellow roses came today
Again, the recipient acknowledged receiving 18 yellow roses.
I never doubted your love for a minute
The recipient always believed in the sender’s love.
I always thought that you would be true
The recipient always trusted the sender.
But now this box and the flowers in it
The recipient holds the box and flowers in their hand.
I guess there's nothin' left for me to do
The recipient is out of ideas.
But ask to meet the boy that's done this thing
The recipient wants to meet the boy who delivered the flowers.
And find out if he's got plans to buy you a ring
The recipient is curious about the boy's intentions.
'Cause eighteen yellow roses will wilt and die one day
The roses will eventually wilt and die.
But a father's love will never fade away
The sender's love for the recipient will never falter.
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOBBY DARIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A
on Johnny Fedavo
This is a fantastic, emotional song, thanks to whoever added the meaning behind the lyrics to this song. Makes it easy for some to understand a bit better!