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.
Hundred and Sixty Acres
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got a hundred and sixty acres of the best
Got an old stove there that'll cook three square
And a bunk where I can lay me down to rest.
Up at dawn to greet the sun
I've forgotten what a care or worry means
Head for home when day is done
I've got a hundred and sixty acres full of sunshine
Got a hundred and sixty million stars above
Got an old paint hoss, I'm the guy who's boss
On the hundred and sixty acres that I love!
Up at dawn to greet the sun
I've forgotten what a care or worry means
Head for home when day is done
With my pocket money jinglin' in my jeans.
I've got a hundred and sixty acres full of sunshine
Got a hundred and sixty million stars above
Got an old paint hoss, I'm the guy who's boss
On the hundred and sixty acres that I love!
Got an old paint hoss, I'm the guy who's boss
On the hundred and sixty acres that I love!
The song "A Hundred and Sixty Acres" by Marty Robbins tells the story of a man who owns a piece of land in the valley that is both his home and his source of livelihood. He describes waking up at dawn, free from worry or care, and spending his days working his land. The simplicity and contentment of this lifestyle are evident in the lyrics, as the man takes pride in his ownership of the land and the freedom it provides him.
The lyrics also describe the man's connection to nature, with references to the sun, stars, and his trusty old paint horse. He is the "guy who's boss" on his land, suggesting a sense of independence and self-reliance. The repeated verse about forgetting what a care or worry means further highlights the theme of simplicity and contentment, as the man is able to live a life free from the stresses of modern society.
Overall, "A Hundred and Sixty Acres" can be seen as a tribute to the rural way of life, and a celebration of the joys of land ownership and self-sufficiency.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a hundred and sixty acres in the valley
I own a large amount of land in a low-lying area
Got a hundred and sixty acres of the best
This land is top quality and the best available
Got an old stove there that'll cook three square
There's a stove on the land that's powerful enough to prepare full meals
And a bunk where I can lay me down to rest.
I have a bunk bed where I can sleep and relax
Up at dawn to greet the sun
I wake up early every day to enjoy the sunrise
I've forgotten what a care or worry means
I no longer feel stressed or anxious about anything
Head for home when day is done
After a long day's work, I return home
With my pocket money jinglin' in my jeans.
I have some extra cash in my pocket from all my hard work
I've got a hundred and sixty acres full of sunshine
My land is abundant with bright and warm sunlight
Got a hundred and sixty million stars above
At night, the sky is filled with countless stars above me
Got an old paint hoss, I'm the guy who's boss
I have a trusty horse that I ride, and I'm in charge on this land
On the hundred and sixty acres that I love!
I have a strong connection and appreciation for my land
Got an old paint hoss, I'm the guy who's boss
My horse serves as a companion and partner, helping me manage this land
On the hundred and sixty acres that I love!
I genuinely love this land and all that it has to offer
Lyrics © CLAREMONT MUSIC, INC.
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!