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.
Wind
Marty Robbins Lyrics
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Forty-four since the grass began to burn
Thristy cattle are millin' round the old creek bed
Dusty winds where the waters used to churn
Dusty winds, hear them blow
Dusty winds, moanin' low
Night and day on they go
Those dusty winds
Not a cloud in the sky but still the sun shines dim
But enough to turn the scenery dark and brown
Lookin' Westward is a dust cloud loomin' high in the sky
Shows the trail of fifty settlers leavin' town
Dusty winds, hear them blow
Dusty winds, moanin' low
Night and day on they go
Those dusty winds
When it's late in the evenin', in my cabin all alone
It's so lonesome when that wind comes howlin' through
And I think of all the settlers headin' West out of town
Kinda wished I'd have left here with them too
Dusty winds, hear them blow
Dusty winds, moanin' low
Night and day on they go
Those dusty winds
"Dusty Winds" by Marty Robbins is a poignant song that captures the desperation and despair of a drought-stricken land. The lyrics begin by painting a picture of the severity of the drought. It has been 90 days since there has been any significant rain and 44 days since the grass began to burn. The cattle are thirsty and are milling around the old creek bed, which is now dry. The winds that blow where the waters used to churn are now dusty, moanin' low and persistently there. The unrelenting dusty winds and the dry and barren conditions all around, only emphasize the harshness of the tough times the locals are going through.
As the song progresses, the singer describes the grim reality of the situation in more detail. The dust and sandstorm conditions are evident, and there is not even a cloud in sight, the sun seems to be hiding, shining dimly in the aforementioned dark and brown scenery. To make matters worse, he notices a dust cloud looming high in the sky, and he realizes that it is a trail made by the fifty settlers who have left town. They have chosen to leave their barren lands behind, most likely seeking new beginnings, a fresh start, or greener pastures. In the end, the singer reflects on how the wind's howling makes him feel lonely, and he wishes he had gone with the settlers. "Dusty Winds" is an evocative song that brings to life the hardships and consequences of droughts, and the desolate terrain that often accompanies them.
Line by Line Meaning
Ninety days since the country's seen a drop of rain
It's been three months since the last rainfall in this region.
Forty-four since the grass began to burn
Even the grass has been drying up and there's been no greenery for almost two months.
Thristy cattle are millin' round the old creek bed
The livestock is thirsty and is loitering around an empty creek bed in the hope of finding some water.
Dusty winds where the waters used to churn
The frequent gusts of wind sweep the surrounding area that was once a flourishing water source to create dusty conditions.
Dusty winds, hear them blow
The winds are particularly strong and intense, creating a continuous blowing sound.
Dusty winds, moanin' low
The winds make a low-pitched and mournful sound, adding a melancholic tone to the desert atmosphere.
Night and day on they go
The wind doesn't stop at any point and continues both during the day and night.
Not a cloud in the sky but still the sun shines dim
Even though the sky is cloudless, the sun is not shining as bright as it used to because of the dusty conditions.
But enough to turn the scenery dark and brown
The excessive dust in the air swallows up all the bright colours and turns the landscape dark and brown.
Lookin' Westward is a dust cloud loomin' high in the sky
When looking towards the west direction, a large dust cloud can be seen hovering high in the sky.
Shows the trail of fifty settlers leavin' town
The dust cloud is formed by the trail left behind by a group of fifty people leaving town.
When it's late in the evenin', in my cabin all alone
During the late evening and when the artist is home in his cabin all by himself.
It's so lonesome when that wind comes howlin' through
The sound of the howling wind makes the environment even more solitary and gives a sense of loneliness.
And I think of all the settlers headin' West out of town
The singer thinks about the settlers moving westward and wonders if he should have left with them as well.
Kinda wished I'd have left here with them too
He regrets not making the decision to leave with the other settlers and wishes he had done so.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOE T. BABCOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
charles mays
Marty sounds like he is in a different dimension when he sangs this song. Can really ride those high notes!
Primrose Haran
Marty is the greatest singer ever nobody comes close to him just love him
CrazyForMarty
I just love all the great tributes you write for Marty, under all your videos. Marty sure was in a class all his own !!!! He truly was the best singer, and songwriter!!! No one could write them like our Marty !!
Shirley lawlor
Every song I hear him sing ,,, just wonderful
potent357
Loves Marty's singing
Glenn Johnson
Glenn Johnson AWESOME!!ONe of my all time favourites and real cowboy music that takes you back to another dimension.
Molly Conn
another lovely Marty Robbins number. Thank you Tarquin.
Doep Du Plessis
The best ever.
Deborah Dyess
beautiful as always tarquin, what album is this from?
Alan Towncar
Long Long Ago