Marty Robbins

Martin David Robinson (September 26, 1925 – December 8, 1982), known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American country and western singer and songwriter. He was one of the most popular and successful singers of his genre for most of his nearly four-decade career, which spanned from the late 1940s to the early 1980s. He was also an early outlaw country pioneer.

Born in Glendale, Arizona, Robbins taught himself guitar while serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and subsequently drew fame performing in clubs in and around his hometown. In 1952, he released his first number-one country song, "I'll Go On Alone". Four years later, he released his second number-one hit "Singing the Blues", and one year later, released two more number-one 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 and Western Recording. The song began Robbins' association with Western balladry, a style that became a staple of his career. His later releases that drew critical acclaim include "Don't Worry", "Big Iron", "Devil Woman", and "Honkytonk Man", the last for which the 1982 Clint Eastwood film is named, and in which Robbins made his final appearance before his 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. His songs "El Paso" and "Big Iron" were ranked by the Western Writers of America among the top-100 Western songs of all time. 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. Johnny Cash noted, "there's no greater country singer than Marty Robbins." His music continues to have an influence in pop culture today, featuring prominently in several films, television shows, and video games.

Birth and Death Data: Born Glendale (city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States), Died December 8, 1981 (Nashville (capital and largest city of Tennessee, United States) )

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1951 - 1972

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, composer, guitar, lyricist, whistling

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia RHCO10038 10-in. 11/14/1951 Tomorrow you'll be gone Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia RHCO10039 10-in. 11/14/1951 I wish somebody loved me Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia RHCO10040 10-in. 11/14/1951 Love me or leave me alone Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia RHCO10041 10-in. 11/14/1951 Crying 'cause I love you Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia RHCO10310 10-in. September 1952 What good is my love (if it's wasted) Smiley Maxedon ; Okaw Valley Boys Male vocal solo, with string band composer, lyricist  
Columbia RHCO10311 10-in. September 1952 We can't live together Smiley Maxedon ; Okaw Valley Boys Male vocal solo, with string band composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO48023 10-in. 6/3/1952 I'll go on alone Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO48024 10-in. 6/3/1952 Pretty words Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO48025 10-in. 6/3/1952 You're breaking my heart (while you're holding my hand) Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO48487 10-in. 11/26/1952 I couldn't keep from crying Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO48490 10-in. 11/26/1952 After you leave Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO49152 10-in. 3/31/1953 A castle in the sky Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO49153 10-in. 3/31/1953 Your heart's turn to break Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO49515 10-in. 6/6/1953 Sing me something sentimental Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO49516 10-in. 6/6/1953 At the end of a long, lonely day Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO49517 10-in. 6/6/1953 Blessed Jesus, should I fall don't let me lay Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO49518 10-in. 6/6/1953 Kneel and let the Lord take your load Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO49964 10-in. 9/19/1953 Don't make me ashamed Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO49965 10-in. 9/19/1953 It's a long, long ride Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO50668 10-in. 12/19/1953 My isle of golden dreams Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia CO50669 10-in. 12/19/1953 Have thine own way, Lord Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia CO50670 10-in. 12/19/1953 God understands Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO50671 10-in. 12/19/1953 Aloha oe (farewell to thee) Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia CO51616 10-in. 5/29/1954 I'm too big to cry Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO51617 10-in. 5/29/1954 Call me up (and I'll come calling on you) Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO51618 10-in. 5/29/1954 It's a pity what money can do Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO51619 10-in. 5/29/1954 Time goes by Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO52810 10-in. 11/6/1954 This broken heart of mine Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO52811 10-in. 11/6/1954 It looks like I'm just in your way Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO52812 10-in. 11/6/1954 I'll love you till the day I die Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO52813 10-in. 11/6/1954 Don't let me hang around (if you don't care) Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO52848 10-in. 12/2/1954 Let me hear from you Billy Walker Male vocal solo, with string band composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO52855 10-in. 12/7/1954 Pray for me mother of mine Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO52856 10-in. 12/7/1954 Daddy loves you Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO52857 10-in. 12/7/1954 That's all right Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia CO52858 10-in. 12/7/1954 Gossip Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO53739 10-in. 8/9/1955 Maybelline Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia CO53740 10-in. 8/9/1955 Pretty mama Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO53741 10-in. 8/9/1955 Mean mama blues Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO54285 10-in. 11/3/1955 I can't quit (I've gone too far) Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CO54286 10-in. 11/3/1955 Singing the blues Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist  
Columbia CO54287 10-in. 11/3/1955 Tennessee toddy Marty Robbins Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer, lyricist, whistling  
Columbia CO55833 10-in. 4/1/1956 I'll know you're gone Lee Emerson ; Marty Robbins Male vocal duet, with string band vocalist  
Columbia CO55834 10-in. 4/1/1956 How long will it be Lee Emerson ; Marty Robbins Male vocal duet, with string band vocalist  
Decca NA 16809 6/14/1972 One of the ways Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16810 6/15/1972 This much a man Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16811 6/15/1972 Guess I'll just stand here looking dumb Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16812 6/15/1972 To get to you Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16813 6/15/1972 It finally happened Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16814 6/15/1972 The beginning of goodbye Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16879 8/16/1972 Eyes Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16880 8/16/1972 Making the most of a heartache Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16881 8/16/1971 You don't really know Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16882 8/16/1972 Overhurt and underloved Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16915 9/11/1972 Franklin, Tennessee Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16916 9/11/1972 Leaving is a whole lot harder Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16917 9/11/1972 Crawling on my knees Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16918 9/11/1972 Walking piece of heaven Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16919 9/19/1972 Funny face Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16920 9/19/1972 It's not love Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 16921 9/19/1972 She's too good to be true Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 17003 12/27/1972 I did what I did for Maria Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 17004 12/27/1972 Las Vegas, Nevada Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 17005 12/27/1972 Pretend Marty Robbins vocalist  
Decca NA 17006 12/27/1972 Martha, oh Martha Marty Robbins vocalist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Robbins, Marty," accessed January 6, 2026, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/208570.

Robbins, Marty. (2026). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/208570.

"Robbins, Marty." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2026. Web. 6 January 2026.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/208570

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