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.
Clara
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Clara, Clara, where can you be
Clara, Clara, come back to me
I love you honestly
Think of you constantly
Clara, come back to me
Friends ask about you
So hard to explain but I try
You found a new love
Said we were through, love
Sometimes I wish I could die
[Chorus: ]
Clara, where can you be
The lyrics of Marty Robbins’s song “Clara” tell the story of a man deeply in love with a woman named Clara who left him for someone else. The song’s chorus repeatedly pleads for Clara to come back to him because he loves her honestly and thinks of her constantly. The singer is clearly struggling with being without Clara, explaining to his friends that he tries to put into words how hard it is to be without her. The pain of his situation is palpable as he reminisces about the happy times he had with Clara, and how much he wishes he could have them back.
The song paints a story of heartbreak and longing that many people can relate to. It is a painful reminder of how love can be all-consuming, and how devastating it can be when a relationship ends. The singer’s inner turmoil and heartache are so vividly described that it makes it clear to listeners that he is in a lot of pain. The song’s soft and slow melody underscores its mournful lyrics, creating an emotional landscape that is easy to get lost in. Listeners can feel the singer's anguish and his desperate plea for Clara to come back to him.
Line by Line Meaning
Clara, Clara, where can you be
Marty Robbins is expressing his longing for Clara and how he cannot locate her.
Clara, Clara, come back to me
Marty Robbins is asking Clara to come back to him, indicating his desire to be with her.
I love you honestly
Marty Robbins loves Clara genuinely and does not hide his feelings.
Think of you constantly
Marty Robbins finds himself always thinking about Clara.
Clara, come back to me
Marty Robbins reiterates his longing for Clara and asks her to return to him.
Friends ask about you
Marty Robbins's friends are curious about where Clara is and why she is not with him.
Why I'm here without you
Marty Robbins's friends question why he is alone without Clara by his side.
So hard to explain but I try
Marty Robbins finds it challenging to explain to his friends why Clara is not with him, but he attempts to do so nevertheless.
You found a new love
Marty Robbins is acknowledging that Clara has found a new lover.
Said we were through, love
Clara informed Marty Robbins that their relationship was over.
Sometimes I wish I could die
Marty Robbins is expressing his deep heartache and sorrow over Clara leaving him.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARTY ROBBINS
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!