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.
Guess I'll Be Going
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We sit far apart in a room
It's over, I guess I'll be going
It's a pity love ended so soon
You're waiting for someone to call you
You're watching the clock while you speak
It's over, I guess I'll be going
I hear his car in the driveway
For the last time can I hold you tight
This moment must last me forever
I guess I'll be going, good night
I guess I'll be going, good night
The lyrics of the song "Guess I'll Be Going" by Marty Robbins portrays the feelings of inevitability and sadness accompanying the end of a relationship. The song begins by describing the physical distance between the two people in a room, symbolizing the emotional distance that has formed between them. As the chorus repeats "It's over, I guess I'll be going," the singer is acknowledging that the relationship has come to an end and that they must move on.
The second verse mentions the waiting game the woman is playing, waiting for someone to call her while the singer is in the same room with her. The realization that the relationship is over leaves the singer feeling helpless and weak, as they have no control over the situation. The mention of the man's car pulling into the driveway indicates that this is the last chance the singer has to hold the woman tight, making the moment bittersweet.
The lyrics of "Guess I'll Be Going" are simple and direct, but they convey a sense of melancholy that is relatable to anyone who has experienced a painful breakup.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we are but we're not close together
Although we are physically present in the same room, our lack of emotional connection keeps us distant from each other
We sit far apart in a room
The physical space between us reflects the emotional distance in our relationship
It's over, I guess I'll be going
Our relationship has come to an end, and I must leave
It's a pity love ended so soon
It is regrettable that our love did not last as long as we hoped it would
You're waiting for someone to call you
You are hoping that someone else will reach out to you and connect with you emotionally
You're watching the clock while you speak
You are distracted and not fully present in our conversation, checking the time frequently
But the truth leaves me helpless and weak
I am struggling to come to terms with the reality of our situation, and feeling emotionally vulnerable
I hear his car in the driveway
I am aware that the person you are waiting for has arrived, and our conversation is coming to an end
For the last time can I hold you tight
This may be the final opportunity for physical intimacy between us, and I want to make the most of it
This moment must last me forever
I want to cherish this moment and remember it always, as it may be the last time we are together
I guess I'll be going, good night
I am acknowledging that it is time for me to leave and saying goodbye for the last time
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!