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.
Saddle Tramp
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I´ll never amount to a thing
Well I may be a drifter and I may be no good
There's joy in this song that I sing.
Saddle tramp, saddle tramp
I'm as free as the breeze and I ride where I please
Saddle tramp, saddle tramp.
At night I will rest 'neath a blanket of blue
Doubt if I ever will change
I might even dream of a lady I knew
Might even whisper her name
Saddle tramp, saddle tramp
I'm as free as the breeze and I ride where I please
Saddle tramp.
I might even wind up in Idaho
And visit a cute little miss
A sweet little someone I used to know
And I might even stop long enough for a kiss.
Saddle tramp, saddle tramp
I'm as free as the breeze and I ride where I please
Saddle tramp, saddle tramp.
Might even ride back through Phoenix someday
Might even stop for awhile
But branded, no never! I´ll not be tied down
Trapped by a fair lady´s smile.
Saddle tramp, saddle tramp
I'm as free as the breeze and I ride where I please
Saddle tramp
The song "Saddle Tramp" by Marty Robbins is about a man who is often viewed as a drifter and a person of no importance. Despite this, he is content with his lifestyle and enjoys the freedom it provides him. The man sings with a sense of pride about his life on the road, stating that there is joy in the song he sings. He refers to himself as a saddle tramp, a name that is associated with a person who wanders and has no permanent home.
The singer of the song enjoys the freedom of the road and being able to ride wherever he pleases. He talks about resting under a blanket of blue and possibly dreaming of a lady he once knew. Despite this, he is not tied down by the idea of settling down with someone. He speaks of potentially stopping for a kiss with a sweet little someone he knew but assures listeners that he won't ever be tied down, even by love.
Overall, "Saddle Tramp" is a song about the thrill and adventure of being a free spirit who wanders and refuses to be tied down by societal norms or romantic relationships. It is a celebration of the joy that can be found in a life of freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
They call me a drifter, they say I'm no good
People criticize and judge me for my way of life as a wandering, unsettled person.
I´ll never amount to a thing
Others believe I'll never succeed or accomplish anything of worth in this lifestyle.
Well I may be a drifter and I may be no good
Admittedly, I am indeed a wanderer and my reputation is not the best, as perceived by others.
There's joy in this song that I sing.
However, this way of life brings me happiness and fulfillment, which I express through my music.
Saddle tramp, saddle tramp
I embrace my identity as a free-spirited wanderer, aka a "saddle tramp".
I'm as free as the breeze and I ride where I please
I am completely unrestricted and unrestrained, with the ability to travel and explore wherever I see fit.
At night I will rest 'neath a blanket of blue
When night falls, I find peace and tranquility in sleeping outdoors beneath the stars.
Doubt if I ever will change
I highly doubt I will ever change my ways or conform to societal norms.
I might even dream of a lady I knew
Occasionally, I may allow myself to reminisce and think about a past love interest.
Might even whisper her name
In the silence of the night, I may speak her name aloud to myself.
I might even wind up in Idaho
My travels could lead me to a far-off place like Idaho.
And visit a cute little miss
There, I may encounter a charming young woman to spend time with.
A sweet little someone I used to know
This woman could be someone from my past that I am reuniting with after some time apart.
And I might even stop long enough for a kiss.
If there's a romantic connection, I may even pause long enough for a kiss or embrace.
Might even ride back through Phoenix someday
Eventually, my travels may bring me back through Phoenix, Arizona.
Might even stop for awhile
I may choose to spend an extended period of time there, taking a break from my wandering ways.
But branded, no never! I´ll not be tied down
However, I will never allow myself to be permanently bound or limited by anyone or anything.
Trapped by a fair lady´s smile.
Even the lure of a beautiful woman and her charming smile will not keep me tied down.
Saddle tramp, saddle tramp
I will continue to embrace my carefree way of life - that of a wandering "saddle tramp".
I'm as free as the breeze and I ride where I please
I will continue to live by my own rules and go wherever my heart desires.
Saddle tramp, saddle tramp.
I am proud to be a "saddle tramp" and will continue to live my life accordingly.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARTY ROBBINS
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!