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.
Moonland
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An old familiar tune land
Is paradise to me
My land, a twinkling star filled sky land
A simple, peaceful island
Across the silver sea
Yonder where native lovers wander
Lost in eternity
An old familiar tune land
Is paradise to me
Yonder where native lovers wander
Lost in eternity
Moonland, a summer's evenin' in June land
An old familiar tune land
Is paradise for me
"Moonland" is a song by Marty Robbins that was released in 1964. This song is a heartfelt and poetic tribute to the paradise that the singer dreams of, a place that he calls "Moonland." The opening line of the song sets the tone, describing a summer's evening in June land, which is followed by an old familiar tune that is paradise to him. The singer describes this land as a twinkling star-filled sky land, which is a simple, peaceful island that lies across the silver sea. The beauty of this place speaks to him on a deep level, and he is in awe of its splendor.
The singer paints a picture of the people that live in Moonland, describing them as native lovers who wander lost in eternity. The song captures the feeling of longing for a place that might not exist, but which feels real in the singer's imagination. Moonland is a place of perfect peace where the singer can escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The song is a testament to the power of the imagination and the human desire to find a place of rest and tranquility.
Line by Line Meaning
Moonland, a summer's evenin' in June land
The place called Moonland feels like a perfect summer evening in the month of June
An old familiar tune land
The place has a comforting and recognizable feel to it
Is paradise to me
For the singer, Moonland is a paradise that brings about feelings of joy and contentment
My land, a twinkling star filled sky land
The artist sees Moonland as a place where they can gaze out into a sky full of stars
A simple, peaceful island
Moonland is an uncomplicated and tranquil place
Across the silver sea
Moonland is located across a body of water with a silvery sheen
Yonder where native lovers wander
In Moonland, the singer imagines that native lovers roam about in the distance
Lost in eternity
The idea of lovers getting lost in one another and in the endlessness of time is romanticized in the artist's mind
Moonland, a summer's evenin' in June land
Again, the artist reinforces that Moonland feels like a perfect summer evening in June
An old familiar tune land
Once more, the artist emphasizes how comfortable and familiar Moonland feels to them
Is paradise for me
The singer reiterates that Moonland is a paradise that brings them immense joy
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BYRD
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!