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.
Don't Let Me Hang Around
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't let me hang around if you don't care
Life holds nothing, can't you see only doubt and misery
Don't let me hang around if you don't care
Don't offer me your pity it only makes me cry
If you found someone else to love I'll manage to get by
Why do you keep seein' me, is it love or sympathy
Can it be that you're in doubt, let me know when you find out
Don't let me hang around if you don't care
Tell me now if I should go, either, yes, or either no
But don't let me hang around if you don't care
You know it's you that I love, dear, so please don't get me wrong
But I deserve an answer, dear, I've waited for so long
I'll leave everything to you, where I go and what I'll do
But don't let me hang around if you don't care
The lyrics of "Don't Let Me Hang Around" by Marty Robbins talk about a person who is unsure about the feelings of their love interest towards them. The singer is pleading with their love interest to be clear about their intentions - if they love them, they want to know, and if they don't, the singer wants the love interest to let them go. The singer is tired of the uncertainty and misery that comes from not knowing whether their love interest cares for them or not.
The singer also expresses their distaste for pity, as it only makes them cry. They would rather their love interest be clear and honest with their feelings, even if it means saying goodbye. The singer asks their love interest to let them know if they have found someone else to love and suggests that it may be either love or sympathy that keeps them seeing each other, but they cannot continue if there is no real care or love present.
Overall, the lyrics depict the singer's struggle with the uncertainty of their romantic relationship and their desire for clarity and honesty from their love interest.
Line by Line Meaning
If you love me let me know if you don't then let me go
If you truly love me, indicate so clearly. But if you don't, please just let me move forward.
Don't let me hang around if you don't care
If you're indifferent about me, do not keep me around as it is futile.
Life holds nothing, can't you see only doubt and misery
I am unable to see much positivity in life, there seems to be only despair and skepticism.
Don't offer me your pity it only makes me cry
Please don't have sympathy for me as it only makes me more emotional and upset.
If you found someone else to love I'll manage to get by
If you happen to love somebody else, I'll find a way to cope and live my life.
Why do you keep seein' me, is it love or sympathy
I'm wondering if you continue to interact with me out of love or pity.
Can it be that you're in doubt, let me know when you find out
Perhaps you're unsure about your feelings for me, notify me once you're certain.
Tell me now if I should go, either, yes, or either no
Inform me promptly whether I should stay or depart, just say yes or no.
But don't let me hang around if you don't care
Don't keep me around if you're not interested in me.
You know it's you that I love, dear, so please don't get me wrong
I'm in love with you, and I hope you realize that. Please don't misunderstand me.
But I deserve an answer, dear, I've waited for so long
I think it's only fair that I receive a response from you, dear. I've been waiting for quite some time.
I'll leave everything to you, where I go and what I'll do
I'm placing my trust in you to make a decision about where I should be and what I should do.
But don't let me hang around if you don't care
If you don't have any feelings for me, don't keep me here in limbo.
Contributed by Gavin T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Primrose Haran
Simply fantastic love this song from marty he is the greatest