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.
It's a Long Long Ride
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Quite a ride from Rome to Singapore
It's a long, long ride from lover's lane to cheatin'
Baby, that's the ride you took me for
It's a long, long ride from Maine to Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas back to Swannee shore
But the ride that's longest yet, is the one I can't forget
Cause, baby, that's the one you took me for
It's a long, long ride from Portland to Atlanta
At least three thousand miles or maybe more
It's a long, long, long ride from happiness to pride
Baby, that's the ride you took me for
It's a long, long ride from promises to lyin'
And I ain't gonna' take it anymore
But the day you made me fall was the longest ride of all
Cause, baby, that's the one you took me for
The song "It's a Long Long Ride" by Marty Robbins shares the ups and downs of various journeys, both physical and emotional. The first stanza talks about the long distances between various locations such as Phoenix and Chicago, Rome and Singapore. However, the final line of the stanza reveals that the longest and most painful ride is the emotional one of being led on and cheated by a lover. The second stanza continues with the physical journey of traveling from Maine to Dallas and back to the Swannee shore, but the final line again reveals that the longest ride is the emotional one of going from happiness to pride and then being lied to. Overall, the song highlights the pain and struggles of long journeys, whether they're physical or emotional.
Robbins uses repetition to emphasize the point that emotional pain is the most challenging journey of all. The lines "Baby, that's the ride you took me for" and "Cause, baby, that's the one you took me for" are repeated throughout the song, each time emphasizing the emotional pain that the singer is experiencing. Additionally, Robbins uses contrasting imagery of physical journeys, such as traveling from Phoenix to Chicago, with the emotional journey of being led on and cheated by a lover.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a long, long ride from Phoneix to Chicago
Traveling from Phoneix to Chicago feels like a never-ending journey.
Quite a ride from Rome to Singapore
Traveling from Rome to Singapore is an arduous journey.
It's a long, long ride from lover's lane to cheatin'
Going from a place of love and commitment to cheating on someone is a painful transition.
Baby, that's the ride you took me for
You caused me to go on this difficult journey.
It's a long, long ride from Maine to Dallas, Texas
Traveling from Maine to Dallas, Texas is a very long journey.
Dallas, Texas back to Swannee shore
Going from Dallas, Texas back to Swannee shore is a journey that seems never-ending.
But the ride that's longest yet, is the one I can't forget
Out of all the difficult journeys, the one that I can't forget is the most painful.
Cause, baby, that's the one you took me for
You are the reason that I had to endure this difficult journey.
It's a long, long ride from Portland to Atlanta
Traveling from Portland to Atlanta is a very long journey.
At least three thousand miles or maybe more
The distance between Portland and Atlanta is over three thousand miles.
It's a long, long, long ride from happiness to pride
Going from a state of happiness to being prideful is a long and arduous journey.
Baby, that's the ride you took me for
You are the reason that I had to endure this difficult journey.
It's a long, long ride from promises to lyin'
Going from making promises to telling lies is a very difficult transition.
And I ain't gonna' take it anymore
I refuse to put up with it any longer.
But the day you made me fall was the longest ride of all
The most difficult journey I had to endure was when you made me fall in love with you.
Cause, baby, that's the one you took me for
You are the reason that I had to endure this painful journey.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ROBINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Primrose Haran
Simply fantastic love this song and marty the greatest singer ever just love him
lonetoad
Love this swinging little tune! Thanks!
Emmit Brooks
Marty Robbins real name was Martin Robinson, and the name he used as a songwriter. He was a prolific writer as well as a very talented singer and musician. This song I had never heard before. Thanks Frank!!
Primrose Haran
Really love marty and love this song thanks for this lovely post