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.
Christmas Kisses
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Christmas time is almost here and you're not here with me
Smilin' shoppers everywhere, I'm lonely as can be
Oh, but I'll be home in two more days it's you that my heart misses
Please meet me, dear, at eight P.M. and bring your Christmas kisses
Mistletoe is everywhere but, darlin', I'll be true
I've longed each day to hold you tight I know what loneliness is
But I'll be home in two more days then share your Christmas kisses
(do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
This letter that I'm writing you brings teardrops to my eyes
But they're tears of happiness because I realize
I'm closer to the one I love with each hour that passes
I'll see you soon and don't be late and bring your Christmas kisses
Soon these lonely days will end that we've spent apart
This holiday I'll hold you close as well as in my heart
I'll close for now this letter filled with all my love and wishes
I'll see you, dear, in two more days and share your Christmas kisses
I'll see you, dear, in two more days and share your Christmas kisses
(kisses, kisses, kisses, kisses, kisses,)
The lyrics of "Christmas Kisses" by Marty Robbins tell the story of a man who is feeling lonely during the Christmas season because his loved one is not with him. He describes the festive atmosphere of Christmas time, with "smiling shoppers everywhere," but he still feels the absence of his significant other. He longs for their return and asks for "Christmas kisses" when they meet again.
Despite the abundance of mistletoe, the man declares his loyalty and commitment to his loved one. He cannot imagine kissing anyone else's lips but hers, and the separation has made him realize the depth of his love for her. The letter he writes to her expresses his joy at being closer to her with each passing hour, and he looks forward to spending the holiday season with her, holding her close and sharing her Christmas kisses.
Overall, the song highlights the importance of love and companionship during the festive season, and the longing that can be felt when loved ones are apart.
Line by Line Meaning
(kisses, kisses, kisses, kisses, kisses,)
Repetition of kisses to emphasize their importance and desire for them
Christmas time is almost here and you're not here with me
The singer misses their loved one during the holiday season
Smilin' shoppers everywhere, I'm lonely as can be
Despite the happy atmosphere, the singer still feels lonely without their loved one
Oh, but I'll be home in two more days it's you that my heart misses
The singer is excited to be reunited with their loved one soon but still longs for them in the meantime
Please meet me, dear, at eight P.M. and bring your Christmas kisses
The singer requests their loved one to meet them at a certain time and bring affectionate gestures
Mistletoe is everywhere but, darlin', I'll be true
Despite temptation, the singer remains loyal and only desires affection from their loved one
I can't kiss somebody's lips unless that someone's you
The singer only wants to share intimate moments with their loved one
I've longed each day to hold you tight I know what loneliness is
The singer has been missing their loved one and understands the feeling of loneliness
But I'll be home in two more days then share your Christmas kisses
The singer is looking forward to being reunited and sharing affection with their loved one
(do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
Musical interlude
This letter that I'm writing you brings teardrops to my eyes
The singer is emotional while writing the letter to their loved one
But they're tears of happiness because I realize
The tears are happy because the singer is closer to being reunited with their loved one
I'm closer to the one I love with each hour that passes
The singer is getting closer to being reunited with their loved one as time goes on
I'll see you soon and don't be late and bring your Christmas kisses
The singer is reminding their loved one of their reunion and the importance of showing affection
Soon these lonely days will end that we've spent apart
The singer is optimistic and excited about the end of their separation from their loved one
This holiday I'll hold you close as well as in my heart
The singer plans to physically and emotionally hold their loved one during the holiday season
I'll close for now this letter filled with all my love and wishes
The letter expresses the singer's love and desires for their loved one
I'll see you, dear, in two more days and share your Christmas kisses
The singer reiterates their excitement for the reunion and sharing affection with their loved one
I'll see you, dear, in two more days and share your Christmas kisses
Repetition to emphasize the importance of the upcoming reunion and affection
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILL D. JOHNSON
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!