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.
I Don't Know Why
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know why I just do
I don't know why you thrill me like you do
I don't know why but you do
You never seem to want my romancing
And the only time you hold me
Is when we're dancing
I don't know why I love you like I do
I don't know why I just do
You never seem to want my romancing
And the only time you hold me
Is when we're dancing
I don't know why I love you like I do
I don't know why I just do
I don't know why I just do
The lyrics of "I Don't Know Why" by Marty Robbins express the complexity of the singer's emotions towards his lover. The repetition of the phrase "I don't know why" captures the singer's confusion about his feelings, suggesting that he doesn't completely understand why he loves this person. The lyrics also reveal that the lover is distant, both physically and emotionally. The lover doesn't seem interested in the singer's romantic gestures or affection, only holding him when they dance, indicating a lack of intimacy outside the dance floor.
The song's chorus, "I don't know why I love you like I do," expresses a common feeling in relationships where love and attraction feel inexplicable. This line, combined with the melancholic tone of the song, creates a sense of yearning and longing. The lyrics, "I don't know why you thrill me like you do," suggest that the lover has a certain power over the singer that he can't resist or explain. The use of the word "thrill" conveys a sense of excitement that the singer experiences, despite his confusion about his emotions.
Overall, "I Don't Know Why" by Marty Robbins is a poignant exploration of the complexities of love. The lyrics capture the struggles of navigating a confusing and sometimes hurtful relationship, while the song's melody and Robbins' emotive delivery communicate the pain and longing that can come with loving someone who doesn't reciprocate those feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why I love you like I do
I can't explain why I've fallen in love with you
I don't know why I just do
I don't have a logical reason for loving you, it just happens
I don't know why you thrill me like you do
I'm uncertain why you excite me so much, but you do
I don't know why but you do
I can't fathom why, but you have a hold on me somehow
You never seem to want my romancing
You never express a desire for my amorous gestures or attention
And the only time you hold me
The only instance in which you touch me affectionately
Is when we're dancing
Is during the moments we sway to the rhythm together
I don't know why I love you like I do
I can't explain why I've fallen in love with you
I don't know why I just do
I don't have a logical reason for loving you, it just happens
I don't know why I just do
I can't fathom why, but I simply do
Lyrics ยฉ BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC , Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRED AHLERT, ROY TURK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Muzikgirl67
PURE COUNTRY GOLD!!...Thank you soooo very much for posting and sharing this "rarely heard anymore" lil' country gem, that peaked at #10 on the charts for Marty back in July 1977...I thoroughly enjoyed it...and the sound quality is quite nice too!...Take Care! :)
Ingrid Maier
๐๐๐๐๐๐ Marty gives every song a "soul", he sings with so much emotion. For me he was, is and will be the greatest Country Singer who ever lived. No other singer has ever touched my heart the way he did; there are many songs where I just listen and cry. I love him so. RIP Marty ๐๐๐๐๐๐
Helen Shields
Ingrid Maier he really was the best
Alan Towncar
The Golden Voice of Marty Robbins !!!!
jshalom65
I've been a fan for 45 years.I've never known many singers who could sing with his depth and feeling/RIP
Irene Mccann
jshalom65 here here I agree with you Marty sang with great feeling and emotion..
patrick straley
Me too!
Sybil-Roxanne Clemons
Absolutely
Mac Mac
One of the nicest slow songs everโฆ..this would bring tears to a glass eye. (No offence to those with a prosthesis).
Shirley Lawlor
Just wonderful ,, could listen for hours