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.
A Little Sentimental
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a feelin' that I've had right from the start
Somethin' 'bout your smile that lingers for awhile
Stirs an old time mem'ry in my heart
Don't mind me if I'm a little sentimental
Don't mind me I'm not about to cry
It's just a thought that I remember
Don't mind me if I'm a little melancholy
Thinkin' of someone that I love so
Don't mind me if I'm a little sentimental
You remind me of a girl I used to know
Don't mind me if I'm a little melancholy
Thinkin' of someone that I love so
Don't mind me if I'm a little sentimental
You remind me of a girl I used to know
The song "A Little Sentimental" by Marty Robbins is a poetic and heartfelt reflection on nostalgia and the power of memory. The opening lines express a feeling of sadness that the singer cannot explain, but which seems to arise from the very presence of the person he is with. He notes that there is something about the other person's smile that stirs up an old memory in his heart. As the song progresses, he asks the other person not to mind him if he feels a little sentimental or melancholy, explaining that he is thinking of someone he loves deeply who is no longer with him. Through the repetition of these phrases, the song creates a sense of sadness and longing for a time and a person that can never be regained.
One of the most interesting aspects of this song is the way it blends elements of different genres. Despite being labeled as a country song, it incorporates elements of blues and jazz in its melody and chord progression. This reflects the fact that Robbins was a versatile performer who recorded songs in a wide variety of styles. Another interesting fact is that the lyrics were written by Mitchell Torok, a musician and songwriter who was best known for his hit "Caribbean." Torok wrote songs for many other country singers, but "A Little Sentimental" remains one of his most enduring contributions to the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Sittin' here with you, don't know why I'm blue
I am with you right now, but I feel sad and I don't know why.
Just a feelin' that I've had right from the start
This feeling of sadness has been with me since the beginning of our time together.
Somethin' 'bout your smile that lingers for awhile
There is something in your smile that stays with me for a while.
Stirs an old time mem'ry in my heart
Your smile brings back an old memory in my heart.
Don't mind me if I'm a little sentimental
Please don't be bothered if I become emotional.
Don't mind me I'm not about to cry
I'm not going to cry, so there's nothing to worry about.
It's just a thought that I remember
It's just a memory that I recall.
Left over from a time in days gone by
It's from a time in the past that has been long gone.
You remind me of a girl I used to know
You make me think of a girl I used to know.
Thinkin' of someone that I love so
I am thinking about someone I loved deeply.
Don't mind me if I'm a little melancholy
Please bear with me if I seem sad.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOE T. BABCOCK
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!