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 Takes Faith
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a brighter ray of sun
And if today's not quite as good as yesterday
Tomorrow has yet to come
And I believe each time you reach a mountain top
With faith you see below
A green and shaded valley where
A peaceful gentle river flows
But it takes faith to climb each mountain
It takes faith to climb each mountain
It takes faith to climb each mountain
And it takes faith to face this life
Faith makes me believe for every stormy sea
A peaceful ocean rolls
And I believe for every tree that falls
Another tree will grow
And I believe when faith is used it gives
Us strength to have the things we need
The way the sun will give a rose the strength
It takes to grow up through the weeds
But it takes faith to climb each mountain
It takes faith to climb each mountain
It takes faith to climb each mountain
And it takes faith to face this life
It takes faith to face this life
In Marty Robbins's song, "It Takes Faith," Robbins speaks about how faith has helped him overcome his struggles in life. He explains that even though times can be tough, faith helps him see the brighter side of things. He talks about how faith has given him the strength to climb mountains and face the challenges that come his way.
The first verse talks about how faith helps him see the good in everything, even when things seem dark and hopeless. He believes that there is always a brighter day ahead, and that tomorrow will be better than yesterday. Robbins also explains how faith has helped him to overcome obstacles in life and to see the beauty in nature. He uses the metaphor of climbing a mountain to represent the challenges in life that one must face. He believes that with faith, one can see the beauty of the valley below, even when they are at the top of the mountain.
The second verse expands on the idea that faith can help one overcome any obstacle. Robbins believes that faith can help calm even the stormiest of seas and give strength to grow through even the toughest of times. He believes that with faith, anything is possible, and that it gives us the strength to achieve our goals and dreams.
Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of faith in overcoming the various challenges we face in life. With faith, we can see the beauty in everything, even when times are tough, and we can find the strength to overcome any obstacle.
Line by Line Meaning
Faith makes me believe behind the darkest cloud
There's a brighter ray of sun
Believing in something greater helps me get through hard times and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
And if today's not quite as good as yesterday
Tomorrow has yet to come
If today isn't great, I have hope that tomorrow will bring a better day.
And I believe each time you reach a mountain top
With faith you see below
A green and shaded valley where
A peaceful gentle river flows
Having faith allows me to see the beauty in everything, even when things are tough.
But it takes faith to climb each mountain
It takes faith to climb each mountain
It takes faith to climb each mountain
And it takes faith to face this life
Faith is necessary to overcome life's struggles and obstacles.
Faith makes me believe for every stormy sea
A peaceful ocean rolls
Believing in something greater gives me peace during difficult times.
And I believe for every tree that falls
Another tree will grow
I have faith that even when things appear to be falling apart, new growth is possible.
And I believe when faith is used it gives
Us strength to have the things we need
The way the sun will give a rose the strength
It takes to grow up through the weeds
Having faith gives us the strength to get through life's challenges and obstacles, similar to how a rose needs the sun's strength to grow through challenging conditions.
But it takes faith to climb each mountain
It takes faith to climb each mountain
It takes faith to climb each mountain
And it takes faith to face this life
It takes faith to face this life
Faith is necessary to navigate the ups and downs of life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARTY ROBBINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bethy-Lou
Love the sound of Marty's sweet voice. Enjoying the horns with a Mexico sound. It takes faith for just about everything, as the song relays. I have faith that you and all your listeners will have a beautiful Monday and nice week. Thank you my friend. ;)
kylethedalek
Hope you don’t mind but I love your playlists!
Are you into older music? (Just your channel pic, was surprised to see someone fairly young listen to this kind of music.)
I like Michael Martin Murphys versions of Marty’s songs and his sing and take on other songs is pretty good too.
Rebecca D
@Bethy-Lou Best Wishes. Dear Sis . 🌹🙏
Bethy-Lou
@Wicker Bill
Thankfully not yet. At 6:30 a.m. I leave for work at 7. I'm hoping it won't be be a long day, however anything is possible, Monday's even probable. Thank you for best wishes and the best music, WB. ;)
Wicker Bill
Good morning Beth, I like the arrangement on this too. Since we both have faith then I am sure we all will and thank you for directing faith and good wishes our way. I assume you are working already.
Ruth Boykin
Beautiful song and Marty Robbins could sing them all! Thanks D.!
Rebecca D
Marty Robbins. Always a favorite Singer too .
Faith Everlasting
New I Love it.
God Bless and Thank you and family.
Rebecca D
@Wicker Bill your welcome I appreciate and enjoy listening. Faith In You dear friend. Great. Music
Wicker Bill
I thought you would like this song, Rebecca. Sorry for all these tardy replies , somethings going on, forgive me. God bless you and wish you a fine holiday. stay safe.
Vikki Smith
Yes dear, a little bit of faith can move the highest mountain and great endurance will conquered it all. I love this song. Thanks Bill! You make my day! I love you!