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.
Moanin' the Blues
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There wasn't nothin' I could do
Said Mosey around with my head in my hands
"Lord, what am I comin' to
I just keep moanin', moanin' the blues"
I wrote a nice, long letter sayin', "Mama, please come home
Your daddy is lonesome and all I do is moan"
Well I been lovin' that gal for so doggone long
I can't afford to lose her now
I thought I was right but I must of been wrong
'Cause my head is startin' to bow
And now I'm moanin', moanin' the blues
Well if you want a good gal to stay around
You gotta treat her nice and kind
'Coz if you do her wrong, she'll leave this town
And you'll almost lose your mlind
Then you'll moanin', moanin' the blues
Baby, baby, baby, honey baby, please come home
Your daddy is lonesome and all I do is moan
Well I been lovin' that gal for so doggone long
I can't afford to lose her now
I thought I was right but I must of been wrong
'Cause my head is startin' to bow
And now I'm moanin', moanin' the blues
The opening verse of Marty Robbins’s song “Moanin’ the Blues” sets the stage for a melancholy lament about lost love. With his “baby mov[ing] out,” the singer is left with the blues as his only companion. He’s aimless and devastated, wandering around with his “head in [his] hands,” paralyzed by grief. But he also recognizes the futility of his mourning; he knows there’s “nothin’ [he] could do” to bring her back. Instead, he’s stuck in a cycle of longing and despair, “moanin’, moanin’ the blues” without relief.
The second verse of “Moanin’ the Blues” reveals that the singer has tried something to ease his misery: he’s written a pleading letter to his partner, begging her to return. He admits that he’s “lonesome” without her and all he can do is “moan.” But even as he reaches out to her, he’s resigned to the fact that he can’t force her to come back. In the chorus, he repeats his appeal, calling her “baby,” “honey,” and “gal,” and once again admitting that he’s “moanin’ the blues.” He’s not ashamed to show his heart on his sleeve; his vulnerability is a key part of the song’s emotional impact.
Line by Line Meaning
When my baby moved out and the blues moved in
My partner left me and I fell into a state of sadness and depression.
There wasn't nothin' I could do
I felt helpless and unable to change the situation.
Said Mosey around with my head in my hands
I walked around aimlessly with a defeated demeanor.
"Lord, what am I comin' to?
I questioned my purpose and direction in life.
I just keep moanin', moanin' the blues"
I continuously express my sadness through music.
I wrote a nice, long letter sayin', "Mama, please come home
I tried to reach out to my partner, begging them to return.
Your daddy is lonesome and all I do is moan"
I'm desperately lonely and can't stop feeling sad.
Well I been lovin' that gal for so doggone long
I've been in love with my partner for a very long time.
I can't afford to lose her now
I can't imagine my life without them.
I thought I was right but I must of been wrong
I believed that I was making the right decisions, but now I'm not so sure.
'Cause my head is startin' to bow
I'm physically and emotionally drained.
Well if you want a good gal to stay around
If you want to keep a good partner in your life,
You gotta treat her nice and kind
you have to treat them with respect and kindness.
'Coz if you do her wrong, she'll leave this town
If you mistreat them, they'll leave and never come back.
And you'll almost lose your mlind
You'll become overwhelmed with sorrow and regret.
Then you'll moanin', moanin' the blues
You'll express your sadness through music.
Baby, baby, baby, honey baby, please come home
I'm still begging my partner to come back to me and end my loneliness.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hank Williams Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A
on Johnny Fedavo
This is a fantastic, emotional song, thanks to whoever added the meaning behind the lyrics to this song. Makes it easy for some to understand a bit better!