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.
Honkytonk Man
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I'm a honky tonk man and I can't seem to stop
I love to give the girls a whirl to the music of an old juke box
But when my money's all gone, I'm on the telephone singing
Hey, hey, mama can your daddy come home
Now I'm living wild and dangerously
But I've got plenty of company
I can't wait to see the lights of town
[Chorus]
A pretty little girl and a jug of wine
Well that's what it takes to make a honky tonk time
With the juke box moaning those honky tonk sounds
I can't wait to lay my money down
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Marty Robbins's song Honkytonk Man tell the story of a man who loves to party and visit honky tonk bars. He can't seem to stop and loves to dance with the girls to the music of an old jukebox. However, when his money runs out, he's on the phone asking his mama if his father can come home. Though he lives dangerously, he's not alone in his ways. He loves the bright lights of the city which come to life as the sun sets and the moon rises.
The second verse of the song reveals that all it takes for him to have a good time is a jug of wine and a pretty girl. The honky tonk sounds of the jukebox moaning is music to his ears, and he can't wait to spend his money. The chorus repeats throughout the song, emphasizing his love for the party lifestyle but also the cyclical nature of it, with his dependency on money to keep the fun going. Overall, the song depicts the carefree and wild attitude of a man who loves the honky tonk lifestyle, but also shows the struggles and dependence that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm a honky tonk man and I can't seem to stop
I can't resist the lifestyle of a honky tonk man and I continue to indulge in it
I love to give the girls a whirl to the music of an old juke box
I enjoy dancing with the ladies to the tunes played in a honky tonk's juke box
But when my money's all gone, I'm on the telephone singing
After spending all my money, I have nobody else to turn to but my mama and I sing to her over the phone
Hey, hey, mama can your daddy come home
I ask my mom if my dad can come back home and provide me with some financial support
Now I'm living wild and dangerously
I'm leading an extravagant and risky lifestyle
But I've got plenty of company
I've got a lot of people around me who also live a similar life
When the moon comes up and the sun goes down
As day changes into night, I get excited to head to the honky tonk
I can't wait to see the lights of town
I look forward to the bright and lively atmosphere of the honky tonk
A pretty little girl and a jug of wine
All I need to have a good time at the honky tonk is a cute lady and some alcohol
Well that's what it takes to make a honky tonk time
These elements are essential for having an enjoyable experience at a honky tonk
With the juke box moaning those honky tonk sounds
The loud music from the juke box fills the atmosphere with honky tonk vibes
I can't wait to lay my money down
I'm so eager to spend my money on drinks and entertainment at the honky tonk
[Chorus]
Repeats the main message of the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DEWAYNE BLACKWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Emanuel Coria
Lyrics:
I've never seen you look quite so sad
I've never felt me feel quite so bad
And I know we both feel that we have been had
I guess we were just not that strong
So I lost my woman and you lost your man
Who knows who's right and who's wrong
But I've got my guitar and I've got a plan
Throw your arms around this honkytonk man.
Throw your arms around this honkytonk man
And we'll get through this night the best way we can
It's the best ol' pain killer since hurtin' began
Throw your arms around this honkytonk man.
I miss that woman and you miss him too
But there's not a hell, of a lot we can do
But cling to each other till the hurtin' is through
And the hurt can only last just so long
You be my woman and I'll be your man
Even if just for a while
I still got my guitar and I've got a plan
Throw your arms around this honkytonk man.
Throw your arms around this honkytonk man
And we'll get through this night the best way we can
It's the best ol' pain killer since hurtin' began
Throw your arms around this honkytonk man
Throw your arms around this honkytonk man
Brittany Bennis
My papoo (Greek for grandpa) has been my best friend for all of my 26 years. He's in hospice and doesn't have long now. He loved Clint Eastwood and Marty... this was our special movie. We watched it together a million times and we'd always sing this together. I'm missing my honky tonk man bad right now...this hurts but I'm so glad I have this
Mike Niles
So nice that you have the memories and he was such a good Papoo.
chipmcutube
God Bless
The Cowboy
I'm glad you have that memory with him. My last memory of my grandpa, when I was 9 years old, was of him being confined to a hospital bed, on an oxygen tank, thin, frail and unable to speak, after his 4th stroke, the night before he died.
Miss you grandpa!!! ❤
TheSharron
@정인철 My paternal grandfather died when I was 2 months old.The other never wanted anything to do with any of his grands.I only met him once,when I was 9...he was rude and mean.
Hang on to those beautiful memories of your grandfather...you will be surprised how they will help you through life.
정인철
You are lucky that you have such experience. I have naver seen mine. I only saw him in the picture and heard few stories about him. I just hope I can remember things happened when l was a baby.
Thomas Ortega
I'm a punk rock and hardcore at 41 but this song just is timeless and amazing
BestClassicCountryMusic
LOL..Thomas O...that's awesome to know, Marty Robbins was never defined by any music category, this is by far one of his greatest...appreciate you listening in and the share...Dan
John Hood
One of the gifted singers in Classic Country, awesome voice with distinct sound and vocals, love all his songs. RIP keep Heaven beaming with your presence.
Tom Wilson
Isn't he such a gem. Much love for Marty and all his songs and stories, I must say my favourites are the wild west themed ones... well favourite over all has to be "my woman, my wife" 😁