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 Looks Like I'm Just in Your Way
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We drift more apart day by day
It's so plain to see you're not satisfied with me
And it looks like I'm just in your way
You seem to forget you're not perfect
You show me my faults every day
But you took my name knowing I could never change
Now it looks like I'm just in your way
For love that you've taken away
We're never apart yet I'm second in your heart
And it looks like I'm just in your way
If what you have found makes you happy
Then I see no reason to stay
'Cause there seems to be somethin' you love more than me
And it looks like I'm just in your way
In Marty Robbins's song "It Looks Like I'm Just in Your Way," the singer expresses his feelings of being unwanted and unappreciated by his partner. He laments the fact that their relationship has lost its meaning and they have grown apart day by day. The singer acknowledges the fact that his partner is not happy with him and it looks like he is just in her way. He also acknowledges his faults and how his partner is quick to point them out. He feels that he was brought into the relationship with his flaws, and his partner knew that he could never change. He feels like he is just a hindrance to her happiness and is never truly alone but, in fact, feels lonely.
The singer realizes that he is second in his partner's heart and someone or something else seems to be more important to her than him. This fact hurts him deeply, and he sees no reason to stay if his partner finds happiness elsewhere. In summary, the song is about an individual in a relationship that seems to have lost its spark and meaning, feeling unwelcome, unappreciated, and second-best to his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
The way that we live has no meaning
Our current way of living lacks purpose or significance
We drift more apart day by day
We are growing further apart as time passes
It's so plain to see you're not satisfied with me
It is obvious that you are unhappy with our relationship and with me as a partner
And it looks like I'm just in your way
I feel like I am being an obstacle in your pursuit of happiness
You seem to forget you're not perfect
It appears that you overlook your own flaws and shortcomings
You show me my faults every day
You constantly point out my mistakes and shortcomings
But you took my name knowing I could never change
You married me knowing that I could not meet your expectations or change my ways
Now it looks like I'm just in your way
I feel like I am an impediment to your happiness and fulfillment
I'm never alone yet I'm lonesome
Despite being constantly surrounded by people, I feel lonely and unfulfilled
For love that you've taken away
You have withdrawn your love and affection from me
We're never apart yet I'm second in your heart
Although we are always together, I feel like I am not your top priority
And it looks like I'm just in your way
I feel like I am getting in the way of your happiness and fulfillment
If what you have found makes you happy
If what you have discovered brings you joy and fulfillment
Then I see no reason to stay
Then I have no reason to stick around and continue to hinder your happiness
'Cause there seems to be somethin' you love more than me
Because it appears that there is something or someone else that you love more than me
And it looks like I'm just in your way
I feel like I am an obstacle in your pursuit of happiness
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ROBINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Connie Partin
I had never heard this before. Beautiful--just like anything Marty Robbins ever sang!! He's my all time favorite.
Jewel Dotson
One of the songs that caused me to fall in love with Marty's voice
Shirley lawlor
Just wonderful can listen for hours
Primrose Haran
totally brilliant love this song from the greatest singer ever marty
Anthony Seiler
Beautiful song I rate it***********!!!!!!!!!!!
skipper7715
Marty Robbins is truly the greatest singer/songwriter of all time.
Connie Partin
I agree wholeheartedly!
webbjr37
Love these early Marty songs,Sounds a lot like early Eddy Arnold, or maybe eddy also did this one
pro3tlb
I'm reasonably sure that the steel guitarist is Little Roy Wiggins. Marty used Roy in the studio in many of his early recordings. Roy was Eddy's steel guitarist
Bonnie Pressnall
what is song Marty is so good thank you tarklin for uploading this beautiful song I love anything by Marty especially the old ones