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.
Last Night About This Time
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the world belonged to me 'cause you were mine
For a moment I thought everything was fine
Cause the world was mine last night about this time
But it isn't in your plan that you should care
And the lips I kissed are lips I only share
And the kiss you gave was never really mine
Tonight you hold another in your arms
And he'll thrill the way I did to all your charms
And he'll kiss the same sweet lips I wish were mine
Just the way I did last night about this time
Last night about this time you made a vow
You were having fun and it means nothing now
I was foolish yes, so foolish and so blind
That I fell in love last night, about this time
The lyrics of Marty Robbins's song "Last Night About This Time" are filled with sorrow and regret. The singer in the lyrics is experiencing the heart-wrenching pain of realizing that the love of his life, who he thought was his, was only momentarily with him. The lyrics convey a sense of longing, nostalgia, and heartbreak that anyone who has gone through similar circumstances can identify with.
The lyrics start with the singer holding his love in his arms, believing that the world belongs to him because she was his. For a moment, everything seemed fine for the singer until he realizes that it was not in her plan to have the same level of affection he had for her. He finds out that the kiss and the love that he shared with her were not exclusively his, and that the momentary love they shared was just that – momentary. The singer now feels the weight of loneliness and helplessness, as the love he thought he had evaporated as quickly as it appeared or perhaps was never there in the first place.
Towards the end of the lyrics, the singer realizes how foolish he had been to fall in love so deeply, only to have his heart broken by the same person. He recollects how he made a vow to the love of his life, but now that promise means nothing, and no amount of affection he had or will continue to have will ever bring back the love he had during that fleeting moment.
Overall, the lyrics of "Last Night About This Time" are a painful recollection of lost love, and how it left the singer feeling helpless and alone.
Line by Line Meaning
You were in my arms last night about this time
We were together and happy, just like we used to be.
And the world belonged to me 'cause you were mine
I felt like I had everything because I was with you.
For a moment I thought everything was fine
I was hopeful that things could go back to the way they were.
Cause the world was mine last night about this time
When I was with you, everything felt right and perfect.
But it isn't in your plan that you should care
You don't want to be with me, even though I love you.
And the lips I kissed are lips I only share
The person I kissed belongs to someone else now.
And the kiss you gave was never really mine
The kiss you gave me didn't mean anything, it was just empty and meaningless.
Love walked in and out last night about this time
Our love was brief, and it ended just as suddenly as it began.
Tonight you hold another in your arms
You're with someone else now, and it hurts to see that.
And he'll thrill the way I did to all your charms
The new guy will fall for you just like I did, because you're amazing.
And he'll kiss the same sweet lips I wish were mine
He'll get to experience what I've been missing, and it's painful to think about.
Just the way I did last night about this time
I remember kissing you, and it hurts to know I won't get to do it again.
Last night about this time you made a vow
You said you loved me, but it turns out you didn't mean it.
You were having fun and it means nothing now
To you, it was just a fun night, but to me, it was everything.
I was foolish yes, so foolish and so blind
I was naive to believe that you actually cared about me.
That I fell in love last night, about this time
I can't help that I fell for you, even though it's brought me so much pain.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARTY ROBBINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sarita Panemangalore
Thank you so much for uploading this original version - the first version - it was a big hit on the Hit Parade broadcast from Radio Ceylon . Brings back childhood memories !
Shirley Lawlor
I keep finding all these Marty songs .. Just beautiful
Johnnie Johnson
I grew up listening to those Marty Robbins albums my dad would play. I never before heard this song. My dad im sure would've enjoyed hearing it.
Molly Conn
Thank you so much Tarquin. I have many records and a couple of videos of Marty but find it hard to find more to purchase.
Molly Conn
Could you tell me who Martys piano player was please tarquin. what a fantastic country player.
Maj-Brith H
Good--as all he recorded!
tarquin45
On the second version I would say it was probably Bill Pursell, not too sure about the first version.
Hamilton Gray
Dear Mr.Molly,
I am a great fan of Marty.Can you please send me few DVDs .I shall be very greatful to you.It is not available here.l am on FB. Than