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.
Native Girl
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waits a dark eyed native girl the sweetest girl in all the world
I still miss her more each day and the day I sailed away
I recall her last emnrace I see the tear stains on her face
I'm going back and find her we take the vows that bind her
We take the vows that make us one we live on island in the sun
Native girl loves me I know native girl I'm missin' so
Just for her my love still burns native girl I must return
I'm going back and find her...
The lyrics of Marty Robbins' song "Native Girl" tells the story of a man's love for a dark-eyed native girl who lives on a faraway island. The man reminisces about the girl and how he missed her every day since he sailed away. He recalls their last embrace and sees the tears on her face. The man decides to return to the island and find her to take the vows that will bind them and live together on the island in the sun. He declares his love for the native girl and mentions how much he misses her.
Overall, the song is about the universal theme of love and the longing for a lost love. The island represents the idea of paradise and the perfect setting for the couple to be together. The lyrics paint a picture of a simple life away from the complexities of the outside world. It also portrays the idea of cultural differences and how love can transcend those differences.
Line by Line Meaning
On an island far away where the tropic breezes play
There is a far-off island where warm winds constantly blow.
Waits a dark eyed native girl the sweetest girl in all the world
There is a young woman of the native tribe on this island. She is highly regarded as the most lovely of them all due to her traits.
I still miss her more each day and the day I sailed away
Despite the long distance and span of time, I am still Wistfully thinking of her who I love so much ever since I left this island.
I recall her last embrace I see the tear stains on her face
The last hug I had with her after leaving is still so clear in my memory that it almost feels as if it was yesterday. And the marks that her tears had made while weeping that day is still visible on her lovely face in my thoughts.
I'm going back and find her we take the vows that bind her
I intend to board a ship and return to the island to reunite with her, after which we will pledge our lives to each other in marriage.
We take the vows that make us one we live on island in the sun
We will dedicate ourselves completely to our love and establish a life together, living happily ever after with each other on that sunny island.
Native girl loves me I know native girl I'm missing' so
I am aware of the love that the native girl has for me. And since I haven't seen her in a while, I am really longing for my beloved native girl.
Just for her my love still burns native girl I must return
My love for her has not waned in the slightest, and I am committed to returning to her soon no matter the circumstances or difficulties.
I'm going back and find her...
I am unyielding and will continue to persevere until I am able to locate and reach the embrace of my beloved native girl once again.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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Joan Cuthill
Excellent my friend. Thank you Marcus. Hope you had a good day. God Bless you. ♥
Marcus Brazil
@Joan Cuthill You're welcome, Jan.