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.
Kneed Deep in the Blues
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My heart is flowing with tears
My life just don't seem worth livin'
And it's been this way for years
My skies have all turned to gray now
And I just walk sols all through my shoes
Well I don't have much to sing now
Well I've just been thinkin' things over
My heart is flowin' with tears
My life just don't seem worth livin'
And it's been this way for years
Don't ask me why I am be crying
'Cause I have lost about all I can lose
Well there's just no use in trying
Well I'm just knee deep in the blues
In Marty Robbins' song "Kneed Deep in the Blues," the singer reflects on his life and expresses his deep feelings of despair and hopelessness. He reveals that his heart is overflowing with tears and his life has felt empty for years. The grey skies and the worn soles of his shoes symbolize the pervasive sadness in his life. The singer has lost so much that he no longer has anything left to lose, and he feels like there's no point in trying anymore. He is stuck in a state of hopelessness that seems to have no end.
The song is a powerful example of country music's ability to explore deeply emotional themes in a relatable way. The singer's pain and despair are palpable, and the simple but evocative language of the lyrics makes the listener feel as if they're right there with him, knee-deep in the blues. The song speaks to the human experience of loss, loneliness, and sorrow, and it is a reminder that even when life feels unbearable, there is still beauty in the expression of these emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I've just been thinkin' things over
I have been reflecting on my life
My heart is flowin' with tears
I am extremely sad
My life just don't seem worth livin'
My life feels meaningless
And it's been this way for years
This has been a long-term struggle for me
My skies have all turned to gray now
Everything in my life feels gloomy and depressing
And I just walk soles all through my shoes
I have been walking a lot because I do not see the point in staying still
Well I don't have much to sing now
I have no joy or inspiration in my life
Well I'm just knee deep in the blues
I am experiencing a deep depression that is difficult to overcome
Don't ask me why I am be crying
I have lost so much that it is hard to explain why I am so sad
'Cause I have lost about all I can lose
I have experienced so much loss in my life already
Well there's just no use in trying
I have given up and do not see a point in trying anymore
Well I'm just knee deep in the blues
I am still struggling with depression
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
allaboard70
This song rocks so much :-) Thank you very much for the upload!
Jude Fernandez
Love this song with great lead and bass
bgsrickus
What a Great Song, yet so few views. My guess is that the haters of Real Music have not found this one yet, only 1 on the count of thumb
Gloria Bickford
Marty you are. The best in my book Thank Youq
Gloria Bickford
bgsrickus please add this no my time line for me please my time line is glorie Bickford I ha been watcher
MrTannee
this is beautiful..use to sing this in its hey days still do 40 odd years later..this is choice thanks for putting this on utube for oldies like me ...thanks very much....Marty is truly one of the best ...yeah man...
Gerard Nantot
that acoustic guit! ; that electric solid body guitar talkin' back at Marty's singing is one of my favorites since the 60s... ; now friends, you must listen now to : 'ain't i the lucky one'. ...Same sessions... same guitars.... same sound... Knee Deep!!!
Paulette Aguilar
I have not heard this song in years oh what a voice this guy could Sing anything my vary favorite singer of all time
dmcjordan
Check out the great version of this by The Derailers from Austin, TX.
larry grassinger
Also check out a swedish band THE PLAyTONES