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.
La paloma
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nadie me ha visto salir si no fui yo
una linda guachinanga, valgame dios
Que se, vino tras de mi, que si senor
Si a tu ventana llega una paloma
Tratala con carino que es mi persona
Cuentale tus amores bien de mi vida
Ay chinita que si, ay que darme tu amor
Ay que vente conmigo chinita
A donde vivo yo
The lyrics of Marty Robbins's song, La Paloma, depict a man who is leaving Havana and being pursued by a woman who has fallen in love with him. The lyrics convey a sense of excitement, mystery, and romance. The singer of the song is leaving Havana, and only he has seen himself leave. He is being pursued by a woman who is referred to as a "linda guachinanga." It is suggested that she has followed him from Havana, and the singer seems to have feelings for her, as he asks her to come with him to where he lives, using endearing terms such as "chinita" and "cuentale tus amores," meaning to tell her about his life and loves.
When the singer suggests that the woman treat a arriving dove with care, he is essentially asking her to take care of his reputation, as the dove represents him. The singer adds that the dove should be adorned with flowers, indicating that he wants the woman to keep his memory alive and not forget about him. Overall, the lyrics of the song suggest a love story in which feelings are expressed through the metaphor of the dove and the singer's desire to be with the woman he loves.
Line by Line Meaning
Cuando sali de Havana, valgame dios
Upon my departure from Havana, Almighty God!
Nadie me ha visto salir si no fui yo
I departed without anyone noticing, except for myself.
una linda guachinanga, valgame dios
A beautiful young woman, Goodness Gracious!
Que se, vino tras de mi, que si senor
She followed me, Sir, what can I say?
Si a tu ventana llega una paloma
If a dove comes to your window,
Tratala con carino que es mi persona
Treat it with kindness, for it represents me.
Cuentale tus amores bien de mi vida
Tell it of your love and of my life story.
nala de flores que es cosa mia
Give it a bouquet of flowers, for they are my gift.
Ay chinita que si, ay que darme tu amor
Oh, little Chinese girl, give me your love,
Ay que vente conmigo chinita
Come with me, little Chinese girl,
A donde vivo yo
To where I live.
Contributed by Lillian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dray
Cuando sali de Havana, valgame dios
Nadie me ha visto salir si no fui yo
una linda guachinanga, valgame dios
Que se, vino tras de mi, que si senor
Si a tu ventana llega una paloma
Tratala con carino que es mi persona
Cuentale tus amores bien de mi vida
nala de flores que es cosa mia
Ay chinita que si, ay que darme tu amor
Ay que vente conmigo chinita
A donde vivo yo
Keith Douglas
Marty Robbins was a wonderful singing of many different genres.After hearing this I am even more impressed with his voice than before.He was such a splendid vocalist.Thanks
John Benn
Back again in the middle of the Corona virus.
GOD==Marty was one of the top male vocalists of all time.
He will live on forever,due to his music.
From a 76yo Aussie fan.
John Smith
Real true legends never die rip marty you will never be forgotten
Hildegard Schaefer
absolutely loved Marty, what a voice.
Margaret Mccloskey
This is the most beautiful song that I have ever heard, sung by the most beautiful voice that I have ever heard
Alan Towncar
Nobody can sing like Marty !!!
Deborah Dyess
He sings so beautifully in Spanish
John Benn
WOW
Wonderful sounds from one of the true superstars of music.
That incredible voice is so,so good & smooth!!!!!
From a 72yo Aussie fan.
19greenacre
I listen to this song whenever i miss my dad, who passed on the year before. This is one of his favorite songs...
John Benn
Back again.
GOD---What an amazing voice & what a great song.
From a 76yo Aussie fan.