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.

Answer Me My Love
Marty Robbins Lyrics

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Answer me, oh my love
Just what sin have I been guilty of
Tell me how I came to lose your love
Please, answer me sweetheart
You were mine yesterday
I belived that love was here to stay
Will you tell me where I've gone astray
Please, answer me my love

If you're happier without me
I'll try not to care
But if you still care about me
Please, listen to my prayer
You should know I've been blue
Will you say that we can start anew
In my sorrow now I turn to you
Please, answer me my love

If you're happier without me
I'll try not to care
But if you still care about me
Please, listen to my prayer
You should know I've been blue
Will you say that we can start anew
In my sorrow now I turn to you

Please, answer me my love
Answer me my love

Overall Meaning

Marty Robbins's song "Answer My Love" expresses the desperate plea of a man who is seeking reconciliation with his lost love. The lyrics convey his confusion and desperation as he struggles to understand what he did wrong and how he lost her love. The singer asks his former lover to answer him and tell him what he did to cause her to leave, so he can try to correct his mistakes and make things right again.

The lyrics convey a sense of heartbreak and longing, as the singer pleads for his love to be answered. He implores his former lover to tell him if she is happier without him and promises to try not to care if she is. However, the last verse reveals his true feelings as he hopes for a fresh start and begs her to answer him so they can be together again.

The song captures the powerful emotions of lost love and the desperation that comes with it. The lyrics are poignant and moving, and the melody adds to the overall sense of sadness and longing. It is a beloved classic that continues to resonate with listeners today.

Line by Line Meaning

Answer me, oh my love
I need an explanation from you, my love

Just what sin have I been guilty of
Tell me my mistake or fault that caused you to leave me

Tell me how I came to lose your love
Can you please explain to me the reason or event that led to the loss of your love for me

Please, answer me sweetheart
I implore you to respond, my sweetheart

You were mine yesterday
We were together yesterday

I believed that love was here to stay
I thought our love would last forever

Will you tell me where I've gone astray
Can you inform me where I made a mistake and deviated from our love path

Please, answer me my love
My love, I am asking for your response again

If you're happier without me
In case you are content without me

I'll try not to care
I will do my best not to worry or mind

But if you still care about me
However, if you still have emotions for me