Martin David Robinson (September 26, 1925 – December 8, 1982), known profes… Read Full Bio ↴Martin David Robinson (September 26, 1925 – December 8, 1982), known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, and NASCAR racing driver. Robbins was one of the most popular and successful country and western singers for most of his nearly four-decade career, which spanned from the late 1940s to the early 1980s.

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.

Address Unknown
Marty Robbins Lyrics

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I waited each day for your letter
Although I knew what it would cost
The moment it came I knew that your game
Had been won and I knew that I had lost

I just didn't open your letter
I know you're no longer my own
The moment it came I wrote 'neath my name

These heartbreaking words, "Address Unknown"

I wanted to open your letter
To see if you missed me sometimes
But you have a way of making me pay
'Cause I know what you write between the lines

You know I'd be so glad to see you
In spite of the hurt you have done
But deep down inside I can't lose my pride
And forgive you just cause you're the one

So I just didn't open your letter
I know you're no longer my own

The moment it came I wrote 'neath my name
These heartbreaking words, "Address Unknown".

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Marty Robbins's song "Address Unknown" are a poignant portrayal of a man who has been hurt by a lover who's broken his heart. Throughout the song, the singer reveals his innermost thoughts, as he reflects on the feelings of betrayal and heartbreak he's experiencing. Although he waits each day for a letter from his former lover, he knows that receiving it will only cause him more pain. When the letter eventually arrives, he decides not to open it, instead writing the words "Address Unknown" beneath his name, as a symbolic act of severing all ties with his former love.

The singer's ambivalence towards his former lover is highlighted throughout the song. Although he longs to see her again and is unable to resist the urge to read her letter, he is also consumed by pride and unable to forgive her for the hurt she's caused. The singer's emotions are heightened by Robbins's soulful crooning of the lyrics, which convey both the physical and emotional pain suffered by the song's protagonist.

Address UnknownMarty Robbins Lyrics

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Address Unknown
Marty Robbins Lyrics