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.
Hawaii's Calling Me
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the beach of Waikiki and the stars that shine above
To the rolling surfs where the native boys will play
And a hula girl with a flower lace
Where the tradewinds are softly blowing the sails along
And steel guitars playing the Island songs
My paradise that's where I long to be
[ steel ]
Where the tradewinds are softly blowing...
The lyrics of Marty Robbins's song "Hawaii's Calling Me" express a deep yearning to return to the island of Hawaii, specifically to the beautiful beaches of Waikiki, where the stars shine above and the native boys play in the surf. The song also emphasizes the importance of music in Hawaiian culture, with the steel guitars playing the Island songs and the hula girl with a flower lace. The reference to the tradewinds blowing the sails along suggests a sense of freedom and escape from the rigors of everyday life. Overall, the song creates a vivid picture of a tropical paradise that is irresistible to the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Hawaii calls to me come back to the land of love
I am drawn to the idea of returning to Hawaii, a land that embodies love and romance.
To the beach of Waikiki and the stars that shine above
I yearn to stroll along the beautiful Waikiki beach and gaze at the dazzling stars twinkling above me.
To the rolling surfs where the native boys will play
I long to watch the native boys surfing on the rolling waves, enjoying their carefree life in the sun and sea.
And a hula girl with a flower lace
I imagine a mesmerizing hula girl, dressed in flowered lace, dancing gracefully to the music of Hawaii.
Where the tradewinds are softly blowing the sails along
I picture the gentle trade winds blowing the sails of boats along the turquoise waters of Hawaii, creating a peaceful and serene environment.
And steel guitars playing the Island songs
I delight in the sound of steel guitars playing the beautiful melodies of Hawaiian music, which have a unique and special charm.
My paradise that's where I long to be
I feel that Hawaii is my paradise, a place where I can feel happy and fulfilled, and I yearn to go there.
On my isle of dreams Hawaii calls to me
I have a deep emotional connection with Hawaii, and it feels like a place of dreams where I can find peace and contentment.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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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!