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 Long Ago
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 Marty Robbins song "Long Long Ago" is a nostalgic ballad about a reunion with a loved one after a prolonged separation. The singer reminisces about their past together, longing to relive those cherished moments once again. The first verse prompts the loved one to tell stories and sing songs that they used to enjoy hearing together. The second verse expresses the singer's happiness at their return, forgetting the pain of their absence. The third verse asks the loved one if they remember the place where they first met, and highlights their love for each other, and how the singer treasured their praises.
The song explores themes of memory, nostalgia, and love. The singer cherishes memories of the past and longs to relive them in the present. The song also explores the transformative power of love, how it can give charm to each word and make a smile more attractive. Ultimately, "Long Long Ago" is a tender expression of longing for the past and the power of love to bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me the tales that to me were so dear
Please share with me the stories that I hold close to my heart
Long, long ago, long, long ago
It's been a very long time since I last heard those tales
Sing me the songs I delighted to hear
Please serenade me with the melodies I used to love
Now you are come all my grief is removed
Since you have returned, all of my sadness has disappeared
Let me forget for how long you have roved
I don't want to dwell on how long you've been away
Let me believe that you love as you loved
Please assure me that your love for me is as strong as it was before
Do you remember the path where we met
Can you recall the place where we first laid eyes on each other?
Ah yes, you told me you ne'er forget
I remember now that you promised to always remember
Then, to all others, my smile you preferred
You always looked at me with a special kind of love, even when others were around
Love, when you spoke, gave a charm to each word
Whenever you spoke to me with love, your words had a magical quality to them
Still my heart treasures the praises I heard
Even after all this time, my heart holds dear the kind words you once said to me
Long, long ago, long ago
All of these memories are from a distant past, long ago
Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: John Thompson, Thomas H. Bayly
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ingrid Maier
Hi tarquin, I´m here once again, like so often - to listen to Marty just makes me happy. I hope it´s ok if I add the lyrics; on my div. pages where I share albums with the youtube links of Marty, I was asked to, so I thought maybe some people would like them here too.
Tell me the tales that to me were so dear
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 fears are removed
Let me forget for how long you have roved
Let me believe that you love as you loved
Long, long ago, long ago.
Do you remember the path where we met
Long, long ago, long, long ago
Ah yes, you told me you´d never 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.
Maureen Zaman
What a beautiful song, Marty must have been a very sentimental and passionate person, only someone who has such deep feelings could sing with so much meaning, how this man has not been recognised as one the 20th centuries greatest singers is beyond me, I am sure many others feel the same way. Thank you so much Tarquin, you really are amazing with how you are helping to keep this wonderful man's memory alive.
tarquin45
This is my favourite Marty Robbins recording of all time. This was him at his greatest, just the guitar of Grady Martin accompanying him and a very beautiful old song sung with such sincerity and feeling. He had a way with a song that very few could match in my opinion. Thanks kallisann.
Helen Shields
I listen to this over and over and over...the melody, Martin's wonderful control and tone is not only unbelievable but magical. His music and voice will never be matched...
jimarilyn
Truly truly beautiful. One of the loveliest melodies I've ever heard.
wnaris
I've been searching for this song for so long. This was one of my favorite song 45 years ago. It's him Marty Robbins during those years. Thank you. wnaris
mahatmt
Always loved to hear Marty Robbins. Thank you for uploading.
tarquin45
Why he is not more people's favourite singer puzzles me. He was such a great vocalist/songwriter with great charisma. I appreciate your continued comments granny.
Ingrid Maier
I´m sitting here and listening to Marty since hours, now it´s 5:00 o´clock in the morning and found this adorable, charming, enchanting, glamorous, bewitching, fascinating, breathtakingly beautiful ballad. I have goose bumps on my goose bumps and am repeating over and over again. This is one of his most beautiful songs.
Thank you tarquin45 for uploading and sharing.
Patricia Jensen
Yes mart Robbins nice guy. Great voice . 😚
Patricia Jensen
I was afoot away from his face on his bus . THN he had to leave so we started each other out that last time I saw him in person. We just had a show . BOISE IDAHO. Race track .. . .merle haggard was on his bus w with him .we watch. Melee haggard on his bus. He waved at my sis n i' he was admin away. Change. His draws . Flights were oin in t hr bus . THY were mkn movie . Wit. Hclint Eastwood. Everyway but which way . . Out beer garden .in dark. Bustn. Chairs up . .ove r cowboys heads .
Styrofoam brown chairs . Beer bar. . BOISE IDAHO. Big pine ' fun to watch . Behind the scenes.