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.
Long
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Long, long ago, long, long ago
Sing me the songs I delighted to hear
Long, long ago, long ago
Now you are come all my grief is removed
Let me forget for how long you have roved
Let me believe that you love as you loved
Do you remember the path where we met
Long, long ago, long, long ago
Ah yes, you told me you ne'er forget
Long, long ago, long ago
Then, to all others, my smile you preferred
Love, when you spoke, gave a charm to each word
Still my heart treasures the praises I heard
Long, long ago, long ago
The lyrics to Marty Robbins's song, "Long, Long Ago" speak to a nostalgic longing for a time in the past. The first verse speaks of the desire to hear stories and songs from long ago, indicating a desire to revisit old memories. The second verse brings about the idea that the subject of the song has returned after a long absence, relieving the singer of their grief. The singer is willing to forget the time they have been apart and believes in the continuation of their love from the past. The final verse touches on specific memories, including the path where they first met and the words of love, which hold a special place in the singer's heart.
Overall, the song speaks to the beauty of reminiscing and rekindling old loves or memories. The lyrics showcase a deep love and appreciation for the past while remaining hopeful for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me the tales that to me were so dear
Please narrate the stories that I have fondly cherished all these years
Long, long ago, long, long ago
During a time that has been far gone for quite a while now
Sing me the songs I delighted to hear
Sing to me the melodies that have once uplifted my spirits
Now you are come all my grief is removed
Your arrival has erased all the sorrow that I have succumbed to
Let me forget for how long you have roved
I'd rather not be reminded of how many years you have been away
Let me believe that you love as you loved
Allow me to trust in your renewed feelings for me, just as intense as before
Do you remember the path where we met
Do you still recall the place where our affection for each other started?
Ah yes, you told me you ne'er forget
You have assured me that you will never ever forget
Then, to all others, my smile you preferred
Out of all the people around, you chose to make me happy
Love, when you spoke, gave a charm to each word
Hearing you speak of love made each of your words even more captivating
Still my heart treasures the praises I heard
Up to this moment, my heart has held onto every single compliment that you have given me
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sheilakirby5616
MARTY ROBBINS *
IS ABSOLUTE PROOF OF GOD SHOWING OFF !!!
REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND !!!
@constanceroma8264
Canโt mistake that voice. ElPaso one of my favorites. RIP Marty. We are still listening to your songs.
@KK-ds4jx
My Sunday Jam ๐
@larrychavez2772
@@KK-ds4jx y
@elciabedeau9188
9999999
@rudolphwatson6891
Hey@@KK-ds4jx
@rudolphwatson6891
@@KK-ds4jx thqts true
@user-ok2si5rb9n
I grew up listening to Marty Robbins , johnny Horton, johnny cash, johnny Mathis, and bobby Vinton.
Love them all.
@ChristineExpressions
My grandpa said Marty Robbins was his favorite singer. They both died in 1982 and Iโm today years old listening to these songs for the first time in memory of my grandpa. ๐ค
@deborahtbowers4324
No one like Marty! All around Cowboy!! What a voice! Wish I had a poster of with his Cowboys hat on with his buckskin horse!!!! Marty, you and your songs will live on FOREVER! My husband and I are 73 now and we grew up in Phoenix listening to Marty! My husband and I would go 4-wheeling or quail hunting way out in the desert when we were young and the tape player played either Marty Robbins or Jim Reeves songs! (My husband could throw bottles and empty cans way up in the air and hit them every time with his Colt .357! Also with his Ruger .41!! He's quite the cowboy. Still wears his cowboy hat every day of life!) Anyhow it's so great to listen to Marty!! No one will ever compare!!@ We love you and your beautiful songs! Forever!Thank you!!! Maybe we will get to run into you when we go Home!