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.
At The End Of A Long Lonely Day
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the world seems to fall in my face.
I'm all right through the day, but the day fades away,
And the long lonely night takes its place.
[Chorus]
Another day to wish that you were here,
I dread each lonely night that's filled with fear.
At the end of a long lonely day.
At the end of the day, I go up to my room,
And I watch while the sun fades away.
And the loneliness there brings me grief and despair,
At the end of a long lonely day.
Another day to sit alone and cry,
It makes no difference if I live or die.
With a world locked outside I just lay there and cry,
At the end of a long lonely day.
[Chorus]
The lyrics of "At The End Of A Long Lonely Day" by Marty Robbins speak to the pain and longing that can come with being alone. The singer is able to get through the day without their loved one but as the day comes to an end, the feelings of loneliness become overwhelming. The chorus speaks to the hopelessness that comes in knowing that there will be another day without their loved one, and the fear and sadness that comes with spending another lonely night.
The second verse paints a picture of the singer going up to their room and watching the sunset, which is often seen as a romantic time of day. However, instead of finding solace in this moment, the singer feels grief and despair at the thought of being alone for another night. The final lines of the song express the depth of the singer's sadness, as they feel locked away from the world and unable to escape their tears.
Overall, the lyrics evoke a powerful sense of longing and sadness that many people can relate to. It speaks to the human need for connection and the pain that comes with being separated from someone we love.
Line by Line Meaning
At the end of a long lonely day without you,
After a day spent without your company, which was long and filled with loneliness,
When the world seems to fall in my face.
When everything in my surroundings feels like it's causing me harm.
I'm all right through the day, but the day fades away,
I am fine during the day, but as it comes to an end,
And the long lonely night takes its place.
I am consumed by a long, lonely night.
Another day to wish that you were here,
Another day filled with the desire for your presence,
I dread each lonely night that's filled with fear.
I fear each lonely night that is sure to come.
Oh, I've cried and I've cried these are tears that I can't hide,
I have cried many tears that I am unable to conceal,
At the end of a long lonely day.
All of these feelings come to a head at the end of the long, lonely day.
At the end of the day, I go up to my room,
When the day is over, I go to my room.
And I watch while the sun fades away.
I spend time gazing out the window, watching the sunset.
And the loneliness there brings me grief and despair,
The loneliness I feel in my room causes me to experience great emotional pain and hopelessness
Another day to sit alone and cry,
Another day where I am forced to sit alone and weep,
It makes no difference if I live or die.
The outcome of my life is irrelevant.
With a world locked outside I just lay there and cry,
As the world goes on without me, I lie in my room and cry.
At the end of a long lonely day.
All these negative emotions accumulate to their peak at the end of a long, lonely day.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ROBINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Frank Childs
I can't thank you enough for this! I met Marty back in the 70s, and this song is awesome yet vulnerable at the same time, like a real human being. He was for real!
Mer Mer
Ronnie, you are the best!