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 Tall Sally
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He says he has the blues but he has a lot of fun
Oh baby yea yea yea oh baby woo baby
Have-a-me some fun tonight
Well long tall Sally she's big as street
She got everything that Uncle John need
Oh baby yea yea yea oh baby woo baby
Now I saw Uncle John I saw long tall Sally
Saw Aunt Mary comin' and he ducked back in the alley
Oh baby yea yea yea oh baby woo baby
Have-a-me some fun tonight
Well long tall Sally she's big as street
Now I saw Uncle John I saw long tall Sally
The song "Long Tall Sally" by Marty Robbins is a classic rock and roll tune released in 1956. The lyrics describe a man's excitement to tell his Aunt Mary about his Uncle John's secret rendezvous with a woman named Long Tall Sally. Despite Uncle John's claim that he has the blues, he is seen as having a lot of fun with Long Tall Sally. The man is eager to have some fun himself and sings about wanting to have some fun that night.
The woman in question, Long Tall Sally, is described as being "big as a street" and having everything that Uncle John needs. However, when Aunt Mary comes around, Uncle John ducks back into the alley to avoid being caught. Despite his risky behavior, the singer remains excited to have some fun that night.
The lyrics of "Long Tall Sally" have been interpreted in a number of ways over the years. Some have suggested that the song is about infidelity or secret affairs, while others see it as simply a fun and playful rock and roll tune. Regardless of its meaning, the song remains a beloved classic of the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna tell Aunt Mary bout Uncle John
I'm going to inform Aunt Mary about Uncle John's situation
He says he has the blues but he has a lot of fun
Although Uncle John claims to be sad, he is actually enjoying his life
Oh baby yea yea yea oh baby woo baby
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm for the upcoming fun
Have-a-me some fun tonight
Let's enjoy tonight to the fullest!
Well long tall Sally she's big as street
Long tall Sally is a woman who is extremely tall and big
She got everything that Uncle John need
Uncle John desires everything that Long Tall Sally has to offer
Now I saw Uncle John I saw long tall Sally
I witnessed Uncle John and Long Tall Sally together
Saw Aunt Mary comin' and he ducked back in the alley
Uncle John quickly hid from Aunt Mary when he saw her coming
Oh baby yea yea yea oh baby woo baby
Still excited and enthusiastic for the fun ahead
Have-a-me some fun tonight
Reiterating the desire to have a blast tonight
Well long tall Sally she's big as street
Repeating that Long Tall Sally is an enormous woman
Now I saw Uncle John I saw long tall Sally
Reiterating the fact that the artist saw Uncle John and Long Tall Sally together
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Entoris Johnson, Richard Penniman, Robert Blackwell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stephen Stone
Great version, love this guy's voice he wasn't ashamed or frightened to try new ideas and styles
utahaztec
I am 54 and this is the first time I have ever heard this version. Robbins was pretty good with the rockabilly sound.
howard gooding
fantastic version by the very versatile Marty Robbins
RockinRedRover
Sheer class, the great voice of Marty Robbins before he hit the bigtime, plus top session men Hank Garland & Hillous Butrum [guitars], James Farmer [steel], Lightnin Chance [bass], Jimmy Gossett [drums] and Floyd Cramer [piano]. Recorded at Bradley's Barn Nashville 13th March 1956, oh how I wish I'd been there !.
Leroy S
Great Singer - natural voice. Country/western, but he could rock and roll too.
Neverdie242
Marty Doing some Rocking, Thanks for posting
louis cardinaux
Magnifique version du classique du rock, Long Tall Sally. Certainement la chanson de
rock'n'roll la plus interprétée.Tous les rockers de années 50 l'ont chanté, Little Rich-
ard son créateur, Elvis Presley, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl
Perkins, Cliff Richard et bien sur Johnny et Eddie Mitchel.
louis cardinaux
louis cardinaux J'oubliait les Beatles M-A-G-N-F-I-Q-U-E.
Stephane Begala
Peut-être la meilleure reprise de ce titre !!!
manoel luiz teixeira
Bom de mais. maneco - RGS - Brasil.