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.
Each Night at Nine
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Across the water, across the shore
Please say a prayer, dear, for yours and mine
Please think of me, dear, each night at nine
The bugles playin', out go the lights
Gee, but it's lonely these army nights
Just tell the kids, love, I'm doin' fine
I have your picture close to my heart
It takes your place while we're apart
Helps to remind me that you're still mine
Please think of me, dear, each night at nine
The song "Each Night at Nine" by Marty Robbins is a heartfelt ballad about a soldier who is separated from his loved ones, presumably due to military service. The opening lines paint a picture of a vast distance that separates the singer from his sweetheart. The lyrics "A thousand miles, dear, a thousand more // Across the water, across the shore" suggest that the two are separated by an ocean, which is a common experience among military couples. The soldier implores his lover to pray for their safety and to think of him every night at nine.
The next verse adds to the feeling of loneliness by describing the soldier's surroundings. The imagery of bugles and lights going out suggests he is in a military barracks, enduring the dark and silent nights alone. The soldier asks his lover to pass on his love to their children and reassure them that he is doing well. The final lines of the song are particularly touching, with the soldier explaining that he keeps his lover's picture close to his heart as a reminder of their love. The song ends with a final plea for his lover to think of him every night at nine.
Overall, "Each Night at Nine" is a tender and poignant portrayal of the sacrifices that soldiers and their families make during times of war. The lyrics capture the sense of longing and isolation that military personnel often experience, while also celebrating the power of love to bridge distances and keep relationships alive.
Line by Line Meaning
A thousand miles, dear, a thousand more
I'm far away from you, with a long way left to go.
Across the water, across the shore
I'm traveling far and wide to get where I need to go.
Please say a prayer, dear, for yours and mine
I want us to both be safe despite the distance between us.
Please think of me, dear, each night at nine
I miss you and want you to think of me at a particular time every day.
The bugles playin', out go the lights
I'm in the military and following orders in a regimented way.
Gee, but it's lonely these army nights
Being separated from you is tough and I'm amidst a harsh environment.
Just tell the kids, love, I'm doin' fine
I want us to appear unified even though I'm not there.
Give them my love, dear, each night at nine
I love and miss the kids and want them to know that at a particular time each day.
I have your picture close to my heart
I carry your image with me always, as a reminder of your love.
It takes your place while we're apart
Your picture helps me feel less alone when we're not together.
Helps to remind me that you're still mine
This picture reminds me that even though I'm distant from you, we're still together.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: FLOYD TILLMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rjthompson615
So Beautiful. No one else ever came close to matching Marty's talent. Thanks Tarquin. I always enjoy your post of Marty.
@JohnDowlingCarlow
Truly incredible music. No matter how many times I listen to Marty, I always hear something new in the magical lyrics and melodies.
@peggybergland6961
A voice that is missed but was the best of the century. He could sing both western and Hawaiian
So enjoyable to listen to even 40 years or more after his death
@marilyncallachan
HE HAD A TRULY EQUISITE VOICE, GAVE ME GOOSEBUMPS, SO BEAUTIFUL 😇😇😇❤❤❤
@shirleylawlor5087
I never get tired of listening to Marty he is the best
@pauletteaguilar1394
Beautiful song by the greatest singer ever
@barrygioportmorien1
The one and only Marty, gone but not forgotten....
@Tom1948
The fabulous Marty Robbins. What else can be said ?
@shirleylawlor5087
Just wonderful to be able to listen to all these old records ,, this is real music not like the trash that's played now
@webbjr37
A Marty fan since very early 50s, and some how I missed hearing these 2 great songs by Marty, each night at nine I recall by Floyd Tillman.Thanks