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.
The Things That I Don't Know
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Won't make you blue
But somehow with these words I can't agree
'Cause it's not the things I know you do
That breaks my heart, you see
It's the things that I don't know that's killin' me
I don't see you when you meet him secretly
So it's not the things I know you do
That breaks my heart, you see
It's the things that I don't know that's killin' me
The little things that you don't notice
Hurts me so
Little things no one but me could ever know
I will keep them hidden so no one will ever see
It's the things that I don't know that's killin' me
I don't see you when you meet him secretly
But I think your arms have held him tenderly
So it's not the things I know you do
That breaks my heart, you see
It's the things that I don't know that's killin' me
In Marty Robbins's song "The Things I Don't Know", the lyrics express the deep anguish and heartbreak of the singer. The song begins with the notion that ignorance can sometimes be blissful, as it is often said that what one doesn't know won't make them sad. However, the singer can't find solace in this idea because it's not the actions they are aware of that devastate them. Instead, it is the things they don't know that are tearing them apart.
The singer acknowledges that they are unaware of the secret meetings their partner has with someone else. They cannot witness these encounters firsthand, but they suspect that their partner's arms have held this other person tenderly. It is not the knowledge of these actions that crushes their heart, as they already assume them to be true. Rather, it is the uncertainty of the details, the things they cannot fully grasp or comprehend, that haunt them and cause immense pain.
The second verse introduces the concept of the "little things," which the singer notices but are seemingly unnoticed by their partner. These seemingly insignificant details are enough to deeply hurt the singer. They become the bearers of hidden knowledge that only the singer possesses. These secrets will be kept hidden from everyone else to preserve a fragile sense of normalcy and avoid exposing the internal torment. Ultimately, it is the absence of knowledge, the things that remain elusive and undisclosed, that torment the singer and contribute to their misery.
Line by Line Meaning
I've heard it said, what you don't know
I have come across the idea that ignorance can bring bliss
Won't make you blue
Will not cause sadness or distress
But somehow with these words I can't agree
However, I cannot find agreement with those words
'Cause it's not the things I know you do
Because the actions I know you take
That breaks my heart, you see
Are not what causes my heartache, you understand
It's the things that I don't know that's killin' me
It is the undisclosed things that are deeply hurting me
I don't see you when you meet him secretly
I am unaware of your clandestine encounters with him
But I think your arms have held him tenderly
However, I suspect that you have embraced him affectionately
So it's not the things I know you do
Thus, it is not the known actions you take
That breaks my heart, you see
That causes my heartbreak, you comprehend
It's the things that I don't know that's killin' me
It is the undisclosed things that are deeply hurting me
The little things that you don't notice
The insignificant details that escape your attention
Hurts me so
Cause me great pain
Little things no one but me could ever know
Minute details that only I am aware of
I will keep them hidden so no one will ever see
I will conceal them to prevent anyone from ever discovering
It's the things that I don't know that's killin' me
It is the undisclosed things that are deeply hurting me
I don't see you when you meet him secretly
I am unaware of your clandestine encounters with him
But I think your arms have held him tenderly
However, I suspect that you have embraced him affectionately
So it's not the things I know you do
Thus, it is not the known actions you take
That breaks my heart, you see
That causes my heartbreak, you comprehend
It's the things that I don't know that's killin' me
It is the undisclosed things that are deeply hurting me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JEANNE PRUETT
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!