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.
An Occasional Rose
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only time can be a healer of the past
And the thorns of love are many
When they're clingin' to a love that didn't last
Yesterday is over and his memory
Will fade away with time
So I'll accept a rose and just be patient
Till all your love is mine
I can take the thorns if there's
Just an occasional rose
I can bear the pain for a while
Even though my heart knows
You'll be thinkin' of him when
We're makin' love, it always shows
I can take the thorns if there's
Just an occasional rose
The road of love is rocky and
Behind the blue sky there's a thousand storms
But a smile or a touch or a love word's
Like a rose among the thorns
When you say you love me
It erases all the worries on my mind
'Cause you'll be with me tonight
For a little while his memory's left behind
I can take the thorns if there's
Just an occasional rose
I can bear the pain for a while
Even though my heart knows
You'll be thinkin' of him when
We're makin' love, it always shows
I can take the thorns if there's
Just an occasional rose
I can take the thorns if there's
Just an occasional rose
In "An Occasional Rose," Marty Robbins sings about the difficulties of moving on from a past love. He describes how memories can linger, and how painful it can be to try to forget. He uses the metaphor of a rose with thorns to describe the love that didn't last. The singer acknowledges that time will ease the pain, but for now, he must accept the occasional reminder of his past love. Despite the hurt that comes with the thorns, the singer is willing to endure it if there are occasional moments of joy and love.
The song speaks to the universal human experience of heartbreak and the struggle to move on. The metaphor of the rose with thorns is particularly poignant, and Robbins uses it to great effect. Throughout the song, he shows how memories can be both beautiful and painful, and how love is often accompanied by heartache. The lyrics are hopeful, though, suggesting that with time and patience, even the thorniest love can lead to moments of joy.
Line by Line Meaning
It's so hard to fight a memory
It's difficult to forget someone who was once an important part of your life.
Only time can be a healer of the past
Only the passage of time can help you move on from something that has hurt you in the past.
And the thorns of love are many
Love can be difficult and painful sometimes.
When they're clingin' to a love that didn't last
It's especially hard to let go of a past love when you still have feelings for them.
Yesterday is over and his memory
The past is behind us and we can't change it.
Will fade away with time
Memories will lose their power over us as time goes by.
So I'll accept a rose and just be patient
I'll be patient and wait for your love, accepting that it may take time for you to fully let go of the past.
Till all your love is mine
Until you are fully committed to our relationship and no longer affected by your past love.
I can take the thorns if there's
I can handle the pain and difficulties of love if there's at least something good that comes from it.
Just an occasional rose
Even just a small amount of love or affection is enough for me to endure the hardships of love.
I can bear the pain for a while
I can handle the hurt and disappointment that comes with love, at least for a little while.
Even though my heart knows
Despite being aware of the difficulties, my heart still wants to love you.
You'll be thinkin' of him when
I know you still have thoughts of your past love, even when we're together.
We're makin' love, it always shows
Even during intimate moments, your mind is still on your past love and I can see it.
The road of love is rocky and
The journey of love is not always easy and can be full of obstacles.
Behind the blue sky there's a thousand storms
Even when things seem calm and good, there can be underlying issues and conflicts in a relationship.
But a smile or a touch or a love word's
Even the smallest amount of love and affection can make a difference in a relationship.
Like a rose among the thorns
Similar to a rose which stands out amidst a thorny bush, love can shine even in the midst of difficulties.
When you say you love me
Hearing you say you love me erases any worries or doubts that I may have about our relationship.
It erases all the worries on my mind
Your love and affirmation make me feel secure and calm.
'Cause you'll be with me tonight
Knowing that you'll be spending time with me tonight makes me feel happy and loved.
For a little while his memory's left behind
Being with you helps me forget about my past love, at least for a little while.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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!