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 You Think
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you think I've got a right to cry
She just walked right out the door she didn't say goodbye
Oh don't you think I've got a right to cry
Loving her gives me the right to miss her like I do
And it gives me a right to be as blue as I want to
I don't want too much of this my heart's about to die
She walked off and left me with a great big bunch of hurt
And don't you know she walked on me like I was so much dirt
What a lousy way to thank me after how I've tried
Oh don't you think I've got a right to cry
In Marty Robbins's song "Don't You Think", the singer has been without his love for eight weeks and feels that he has a right to cry. He is hurt and angry that she left without even saying goodbye. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been devoted to his love and that he deserves better than the pain he is currently going through. He justifies his sadness and tears as a right that comes with loving someone deeply. The lyrics also express a certain sense of frustration towards his love, as she seems to have taken him for granted and treated him poorly.
Overall, the song is a classic country ballad that explores themes of heartbreak, love, and loss. It speaks to anyone who has been left behind by someone they love, and who feels a deep sense of sadness and loneliness. The lyrics are simple, yet powerful, and evoke a strong emotional response in the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
She's been gone away too long in fact eight weeks tonight
It's been eight long weeks since she left me and I miss her terribly
Don't you think I've got a right to cry
I have every reason to cry after being abandoned with no explanation
She just walked right out the door she didn't say goodbye
She left me without any closure, which is why I'm still hurting
Loving her gives me the right to miss her like I do
My love for her justifies how much I long for her to return
And it gives me a right to be as blue as I want to
I am entitled to feel however sad I need to be
I don't want too much of this my heart's about to die
I can't bear this pain much longer, it's too much for my heart to bear
She walked off and left me with a great big bunch of hurt
She caused me a lot of pain when she left me alone
And don't you know she walked on me like I was so much dirt
She treated me very unfairly and like I meant nothing to her
What a lousy way to thank me after how I've tried
I did everything I could to show my love, and yet she left me anyway
Oh don't you think I've got a right to cry
I am justified in feeling the sadness and hurt that I do
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARTY ROBBINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeanscott7052
Marty Robbins is NEVER out of style. He is the best of the best. The most unique voice I've ever heard...absolutely nothing lacking. To say he's great is putting it mildly. I truly believe his songs will carry on for even more generations than they already have.
@irenemccann7032
Nobody sings with such emotion but Marty.
@stanandphyllissaari2918
I never get tired of hearing Marty Robbins singing
@zanestarr6957
You can almost share the man's pain.
Beautifully sung, I never grow tired of hearing Mr Robbins sing.
@mrbobevans
That opening rift sounds like a Keith Richards' rift. What Marty accomplished in his 57 years is amazing,
@shirleylawlor5087
One of the best singers that ever was can listen to Marty singing for hours
@shirleylawlor5087
The most beautiful voice ,, just love listening
@rebeccad5988
Love this song, heartfelt
(Marty Robbins 💯❤️)
@sauquoit13456
On this day in 1974 {May 31st} Marty Robbins performed "Don't You Think" on the NBC-TV late-night musical variety program, 'The Midnight Special', he was also the show's guest host...
At the time "Don't You Think" was at position #69 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart, eight weeks later it would peak at #12 {for 1 week} and it spent fifteen weeks on the chart...
It reached #13 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles chart...
Between 1953 and 1983 the Arizona native had eight-five records on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart, forty-four made the Top 10 with ten reaching #1*...
Martin David Robinson passed away at the young age of 57 on December 8th, 1982 {cardiovascular disease}...
May he R.I.P.
* He just missed having an eleventh #1 record when his "Stairway of Love" peaked at #2 {for 2 weeks} on Billboard's C&W Best Sellers in Stores chart on April 20th, 1958, and for the 2 weeks it was at #2, the #1 record for both those weeks was "Oh, Lonesome Me" by Don Gibson...
@lindathomas2924
ANOTHER WINNER FOR MARTY ROBBINS, EVERY SONG HE SINGS IA REALLY GREAT.❣