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.
Down Where the Trade Winds Blow
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down where they lose the day
We found a new world
Where Paradise starts we traded hearts
The night that I sailed away
Flowers were in her hair
Music was everywhere
The night that I sailed away
Tradewinds, what are vows that lovers make
Tradewinds, are they only made to break
When it is May again
I'll sail away again
Though I am returning it won't be the same
She traded her name
Way down where the tradewinds play
Tradewinds, what are vows that lovers make
Tradewinds, are they only made to break
When it is May again
I'll sail away again
Though I am returning it won't be the same
She traded her name
Way down where the trade winds play
The song "Down Where the Trade Winds Blow" by Marty Robbins is about falling in love in a new world that is full of beauty and promise. The singer describes a place where the trade winds blow and time seems to stand still. In this magical place, he meets a woman with flowers in her hair and they exchange vows under a canopy of silver boughs. The lyrics suggest that the singer is leaving this paradise to return to the real world, but he plans to come back and experience the magic again.
The song's chorus asks the question, "Tradewinds, what are vows that lovers make? Tradewinds, are they only made to break?" This speaks to the theme of the fleeting nature of love and the uncertainty of commitment. The singer is realistic about the fact that things may not be the same when he returns to this magical place, but he is still hopeful and determined to sail away again.
The song has a dreamy, almost ethereal quality to it with its slow and lushly orchestrated arrangement. The use of the word "Paradise" has a spiritual connotation that suggests that this place is more than just a physical location, but a state of being. It's a song about embracing the mystery and beauty of life, even if it is fleeting.
Line by Line Meaning
Down where the tradewinds play
In a place where the wind blows, we found something special
Down where they lose the day
In a place where people stay up all night, forgetting about the day
We found a new world
We discovered a new place, full of wonder and possibilities
Where Paradise starts we traded hearts
We fell in love in this place where everything seems perfect
The night that I sailed away
The night I left, maybe forever
Flowers were in her hair
She was beautiful and adorned with nature's gifts
Music was everywhere
The sound of joy and happiness was all around us
Under an awning of silvery boughs we traded vows
Under a canopy of nature, we promised to love each other
Tradewinds, what are vows that lovers make
Oh, wind, what is the value of promises made between people in love?
Tradewinds, are they only made to break
Are these promises made only to be broken by the wind?
When it is May again
When the season of change and renewal comes again
I'll sail away again
I'll leave, hoping to find that special place once again
Though I am returning it won't be the same
Even if I come back, everything may be different
She traded her name
She gave me her heart and love, maybe even agreeing to marry me
Way down where the trade winds play
In that wonderful place where everything was possible
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Modeltnick
My dad used to play this on our record player when I was a kid. He was a WW2 veteran in the Pacific. Miss you, dad!
@7550375503
anointed voice.
@bennyjazzful
GOD===Marty had one of the very best male voices of any time & genre.
From a mad keen 75yo Aussie fan.
@katsdeelite1200
Marty Robbins Hawaiian music is such a treat! He was very versatile and eclectic with some of his choices.
@bluedream428
One of the saddest songs ever but Marty at his best
@fiftiessoundforever3002
I certainly agree. Marty was a master of many styles.
@Psychol-Snooper
Bugs Bunny brought me here. XD
@nre4d
Timing is different from the Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra versions (of course those were 1940). Please, some credit for Charles Tobias and Cliff Field who wrote the song.