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.
You Belong To My Heart
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now and forever
And our love had its start
Not long ago,
We were gathering stars while a million guitars played our love song;
When I said "I love you", ev'ry beat of my heart said it too.
'Twas a moment like this
And your eyes threw a kiss
When they met mine;
Now we own all the stars and a million guitars are still playing
Darling, you are the song, and you'll always belong to my heart.
In Marty Robbins's song, "You Belong To My Heart", the lyrics paint a picture of a love that has stood the test of time. The first two lines, "You belong to my heart, now and forever" suggest that the love between the singer and his beloved is unbreakable and eternal. He goes on to say that their love had its start not long ago, indicating that this is a new relationship, yet it feels timeless.
The next set of lines describes how they were "gathering stars while a million guitars played our love song" which seems to suggest that they felt the world revolved around them and their love, that it was a unique and magical moment that only the two of them shared. When he said "I love you" every beat of his heart proclaimed it as well, suggesting an overwhelming emotion that needed to be expressed.
The final section of the song reveals that they now own all the stars and a million guitars are still playing, but the most significant part of the song is the last line where he addresses his beloved and tells her, "darling, you are the song, and you'll always belong to my heart". It's a beautiful and poetic way of saying that she is his life and the heart of his being, and he will always cherish their love.
Line by Line Meaning
You belong to my heart
I consider you to be an essential part of my life
Now and forever
It is an everlasting sentiment
And our love had its start
The beginning of our relationship
Not long ago,
In recent times
We were gathering stars while a million guitars played our love song;
We were in the moment of love, fully immersed in each other amidst a world that appeared to celebrate our love.
When I said "I love you", ev'ry beat of my heart said it too.
"I Love You" is not just the words I said, but it conveyed the rhythm of my heart as well.
'Twas a moment like this
It was a moment that can never be forgotten
Do you remember?
I'm trying to recall the memory with you
And your eyes threw a kiss
Your eyes expressed a lot more than just affection. It was like as if, they were giving me a kiss
When they met mine;
Our eyes met with reciprocal sentiments
Now we own all the stars and a million guitars are still playing
The world seems to portray that the love between us has universal recognition, and that it has become iconic in its own unique way.
Darling, you are the song, and you'll always belong to my heart.
You are the melody that has become a part of my life story, and you always will.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Agustin Lara, Ray Gilbert
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!