Martin David Robinson (September 26, 1925 – December 8, 1982), known profes… Read Full Bio ↴Martin David Robinson (September 26, 1925 – December 8, 1982), known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, and NASCAR racing driver. Robbins was one of the most popular and successful country and western singers for most of his nearly four-decade career, which spanned from the late 1940s to the early 1980s.

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.

Sweet Leilani
Marty Robbins Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lovely hula hands graceful as the birds in motion
Gliding like the gulls o'er the ocean
Lovely hula hands kou lima nani e
Lovely hula hands telling of the rains in the valley
And the swirling winds o'er the pali
Lovely hula hands kou lima nani e
I can feel the soft caresses of your hula hands your lovely
Every little move expresses so I'll understand all the tender meaning

Of your hula hands fingertips that say aloha
Say to me again I love you lovely hula hands kou lima nani e

[ steel ]
I can feel the soft caresses...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Marty Robbins' song "Kuu Ipo Lani" are a homage to a woman named Leilani, whose name means "heavenly flower." The song compares her beauty to that of nature's roses, which are kissed with dew and placed in a flower, creating a work of art that is just as stunning as Leilani. The singer then goes on to say that even the tropical skies are jealous of Leilani's blue eyes and that he dreams of being with her in Paradise. Leilani is described as a dream come true and the woman he loves more than anything.

The song is an ode to the beauty of Hawaiian women, who were often celebrated in Hawaiian music. The singer is enamored with the beauty of Leilani and is exploring his love for her through the lyrics of the song. He dreams of being with her in a paradise where they can be together and share their love.

Overall, the lyrics of "Kuu Ipo Lani" are a beautiful tribute to the beauty of nature and the love that one can have for another person. The song speaks to the universal experience of falling in love and feeling as though the person you love is your dream come true.

Line by Line Meaning

Sweet Leilani, heavenly flower
The singer addresses his lover as a divine flower named Leilani, highlighting her celestial beauty and worth.

Nature fashioned roses kissed with dew
The beauty of Leilani is compared to the natural beauty of roses that were formed beautifully by the touch of dew, implying that Leilani is a naturally beautiful and delicate person.

And then she placed them in a flower
The artist attributes Leilani's beauty to nature, suggesting that the creator placed the beauty of roses inside her.

And that was the start of you
The artist believes that Leilani was created perfectly beautiful from the beginning, as if she was born perfect in every way.

Tropic skies are jealous as they shine
The singer believes that even the skies in tropical places are jealous of her, which are known to be very colorful and vibrant, because they understand how beautiful Leilani is.

I think they're jealous of your blue eyes
The artist mentions that the skies are jealous of Leilani's sparkling blue eyes, which he considers captivating and rare, enhancing the value of her beauty.

I think they're jealous 'cause you're mine
The artist emphasizes that Leilani's beauty is his, making him feel protective of her and adoring her more.

I dream of Paradise for two
The artist wishes to be in a utopian setting with Leilani, away from the rest of the world and without any trouble, so that they can enjoy their company together.

I dream of Paradise complete here
The songwriter desires to find a complete paradise where he can be with Leilani always, indicating he feels they are meant to be together and that he considers her as a paradise on earth.

You are my dream come true
The artist ends the song by expressing that he feels that Leilani is everything he's ever wished for, and that he is content with her in his life.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: R. ALEX ANDERSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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