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.
Begging to You
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You laughed and dared me...to walk out the door...
You said that I'd come back ...you knew what I'd do...
And you know you were right, 'cause I'm back here tonight
Begging to you.
I won't disappoint you...I'm beggin' to stay....
But that's what you wanted...to hear any way...
What a pitiful sight I...must be tonight begging to you.
You don't want my loving...but you let me stay 'round...
I guess just to walk on...so you don't touch the ground...
To you it don't matter...what you cause me to do...
As long as you keep me...begging to you
The song "Begging to You" by Marty Robbins tells the story of a man who is unable to leave a toxic relationship. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who has reached his breaking point and leaves his partner, but ultimately returns, unable to break free from their hold on him. The song opens with the singer leaving his partner, but being taunted into returning. The partner knows that he will be back, and this admission is followed by the line "And you know you were right, 'cause I'm back here tonight, Begging to you."
The singer begs his partner to let him stay, despite the fact that he knows that it is not what they want. He acknowledges that he is being manipulated and that they are delighting in his pain. However, he is so desperate to be with them that he is willing to endure the suffering that it entails. The final lines of the song highlight the singer's desperation, as he acknowledges that his partner does not love him and only keeps him around to maintain their own power.
This song speaks to the human condition of being trapped in a toxic relationship, unable to free oneself from the emotional hold of another person. It highlights the power dynamics that exist in such relationships and how the abused partner can become trapped in a cycle of emotional manipulation and dependency. The song's emotional depth and honesty have ensured its popularity and ensured that its message continues to resonate with listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
I left you this morning...couldn't take any more...
I walked out because I couldn't handle being with you any longer.
You laughed and dared me...to walk out the door...
You didn't think I had the guts to leave, so you challenged me to do it.
You said that I'd come back ...you knew what I'd do...
You were so confident that I'd return to you, you practically predicted it.
And you know you were right, 'cause I'm back here tonight Begging to you.
You were right, because here I am begging you to let me stay.
I won't disappoint you...I'm beggin' to stay....
I'm begging to stay because I don't want to disappoint you.
But that's what you wanted...to hear any way...
I know you wanted me to beg, and now I am.
It must make you happy...to make me so blue...
It seems like it makes you happy to see me upset and desperate for your affection.
What a pitiful sight I...must be tonight begging to you.
I must look pitiful begging for your love tonight.
You don't want my loving...but you let me stay 'round...
You don't actually want my love, but you keep me around anyway.
I guess just to walk on...so you don't touch the ground...
You keep me around so you can feel superior and in control.
To you it don't matter...what you cause me to do...
You don't care about the pain you cause me, as long as I keep begging for your love.
As long as you keep me...begging to you
As long as I keep begging for your love, you're satisfied.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARTY ROBBINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mildredplummer
One of the best songs I have ever heard. Marty Robbins wrote some of the best songs I've ever heard. The way his voice is the best sound I've ever
@colinbarnsdale8017
Been a Marty Robbins fan since the sixties ,the best male country singer and storyteller by far R.I.P. god bless you.
@paulhudson4445
The best story teller,one of the best voice you will ever hear. Rest in peace Marty Robbins.
@hutch5860
On this date Oct. 30, 2018, this Man is still the very BEST Country Music singer, song writer, Best Voice of all time. No comparison at all to today's crap they try to call country.
@brendaortiz-vh4fu
That's for sure!!!!
@barbsparks9119
The country music is discussting.
@adquinn100
However, Merle Haggard is so close it's impossible to say
@walliegirl2
There are some really great country musicians now. They just don't get played on the radio. Andrew Combs is a really great singer songwriter. The Wild Feathers are really great as well.
@charliecroft7012
Country music is gone after we lose what few we have left..very sad but very true 👍 😔 😢
@vickivestal353
Never was and never will be a more beautiful voice!