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.
Never Look Back
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never look back, close your eyes, walk away
Never look back, hold your head way up high
Never look back you never could hide the tears in your eyes
Heaven has ended all your sweet dreams are gone
You must forget him though the hurt may live on
Start life all over though the future looks black
You've known so long, to love him was wrong so never look back
You must forget him though the hurt may live on
Start life all over though the future looks black
You've known so long, to love him was wrong so never look back
The lyrics of Marty Robbins's song "Never Look Back" tell a story of heartbreak and moving on. The song is about a woman who has made the difficult decision to end a relationship with a man she loves but knows is not right for her. The advice she receives is to never look back and to hold her head up high as she walks away, even though she may be hiding tears in her eyes.
The chorus repeats this message several times, emphasizing the importance of letting go and starting anew. The woman is told that heaven has ended and her sweet dreams are gone, meaning that the relationship she once cherished is now over and she must come to terms with the fact that it will never be the same. She is encouraged to forget him, even though the hurt may linger, and to start her life over, even though the future seems bleak.
The lyrics of "Never Look Back" are a poignant reminder that letting go of love, even when it hurts, is sometimes necessary for our own well-being. The song speaks to anyone who has experienced heartbreak and reminds us that it is okay to move on, no matter how difficult it may be.
Line by Line Meaning
Never look back, you're decision you've made
Don't doubt yourself or second-guess your choice.
Never look back, close your eyes, walk away
Be strong and leave the past behind you.
Never look back, hold your head way up high
Be proud of yourself and the strength you possess.
Never look back you never could hide the tears in your eyes
You may cry and feel sad, but don't let it consume you.
Heaven has ended all your sweet dreams are gone
Your hopes for the future may be lost, but you can still move forward.
You must forget him though the hurt may live on
Let go of the pain and the memories that hold you back.
Start life all over though the future looks black
Although the future may seem uncertain and dark, don't give up.
You've known so long, to love him was wrong so never look back
Even though it's hard, you need to accept that your love was not meant to be and focus on your own path forward.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARTY ROBBINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kong The1
Lovely Song. Marty the best country singer who ever lives. So Amazing.
Wolfiemouse
Thanks for posting all these great Robbin's songs. What an American legend. This one I hadn't heard before ... some of the pics new too. Thank you so much for keeping his spirit going. Bless your big heart!
AbdAllah Kajo
Are you still alive ?
John Cooper
wonderful mucsic
Primrose Haran
really beautiful song and just love martys voice he is simply the greatest singer ever
Shirley Lawlor
Could listen to him all day .. Just wonderful
Irene Mccann
I wish today's music was like this , I feel sorry for the young, their music is rotten and they won't want to listen to it when they are old, I'm glad I'm old and can look back on great singers and great songs.thank God.
mrbobevans
Go listen to some Lindi Ortega or Andrew Combs. There are talented musicians out there, they just don't get played on the radio.
Primrose Haran
simply stunning love this song from marty just love him beautiful
Zane Starr
IfIi could sing, this is how I would wish to sound, he had something no other singer has ever come close to finding.