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.
Sittin' in a Tree House
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me and my baby
Up where the whipporills nest all day
We cuddle all night
(in a tree house)
(in a tree house)
Me and my baby
Ask any whipporill and he'll say
We're doin' alright
(in a tree house)
(in a tree house)
When supper is through
I hurry on to
Our maple tree house rendezvous
Soon as I climb the ladder then I'm
Aglow and oh so darn excited
Sittin' in a tree house
Lovin' my baby
Someday we'll marry and settle down
My baby and me
(in a tree house)
(in a tree house)
When supper is through
I hurry on to
Our maple tree house rendezvous
Soon as I climb the ladder then I'm
Aglow and oh so darn excited
(aglow and oh so darn excited)
Sittin' in a tree house
Lovin' my baby
Someday we'll marry and settle down
My baby and me
(in a tree house)
How happy we'll be
(in a tree house)
On top of a tree
(in a tree house)
My baby and me
(in a tree house)
The lyrics of "Sittin' in a Tree House" by Marty Robbins portray a romantic image of a couple who have built a tree house to escape from the rest of the world and spend time alone together. The song opens with the couple sitting in their tree house, nestled among the whipporwills, cuddling throughout the night, and kissing each other often. The whipporwills become the unwitting witnesses to their love, vouching for the couple's happiness.
The song paints a picture of idyllic young love. The couple hurries through their supper to reach their "maple tree house rendezvous" and climb the ladder to their secret hideaway, where they are overflowing with passion and excitement. They dream of getting married someday and settling down together in happiness.
The lyrics stir up feelings of nostalgia, innocence, and the beauty of young love. The magical world of a tree house and the peaceful, dreamlike atmosphere of the woods provide the ideal setting for this young couple to enjoy each other's company and plan their future together.
Line by Line Meaning
Sittin' in a tree house
The singer and their lover spend time together in a secluded tree house
Me and my baby
The singer is accompanied by their significant other
Up where the whipporills nest all day
The tree house is located high up where the birds nest
We cuddle all night
The couple spends their nights snuggling and showing affection
Kissin' lots of kisses
The couple kisses frequently
Ask any whipporill and he'll say
The birds witness the couple's love and happiness
We're doin' alright
The couple is content and happy in their relationship
When supper is through
After eating dinner
I hurry on to
The artist is eager to go to
Our maple tree house rendezvous
The couple's special meeting place in the tree house
Soon as I climb the ladder then I'm
The singer feels a rush of excitement when they climb up the ladder to the tree house
Aglow and oh so darn excited
The artist feels happy and thrilled
Someday we'll marry and settle down
The couple plans to get married and start a more permanent life together
How happy we'll be
The singer looks forward to a joyful future with their lover
On top of a tree
In the special place where they are happiest
My baby and me
The artist and their lover together
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, HAL DAVID
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!