Happy Music Monday! Marty Robbins is one of those musicians who keeps flipping back and forth between "old people music" and "cool" with each new generation. Right now, of course, he's smoking hot. But even if he falls from grace, don't worry. He'll be rediscovered again and again. His stuff is just too good! Which Scott is about to prove to you.
Without a doubt, Marty Robbins is best known for the songs on this cowboy album. And they're great. My vinyl copy is one of my prize possessions. But that's not all Marty Robbins is known for. He pretty much has a song for every occasion.
And we'll prove it! Let's go!
Marty Robbins - She Was Only Seventeen (He Was One Year More)
This isn't the greatest of his songs, but it does prove a point. This is a perfectly acceptable teenage slow-dance song and the equal of many other slow-dance songs of the era, even including the oddly philosophical chorus boys in the middle. Marty Robbins wasn't just a cowboy writer, you see. He could take any theme and make it his own.
Marty Robbins - Hawaii's Calling Me
Hawaii's was a popular topic during a certain phase of American history, mostly due to the hard work of Elvis Presley. This song might not be 100% authentic, but it's kinda relaxing, and it does once again show that there's no fad that Marty Robbins can't master. He's sort of like Lee Hazlewood in that respect. Except not quite as bizarre.
Marty Robbins - Private Wilson White
And if you like one Marty Robbins, you'll probably like ALL Marty Robbins. This song about a soldier is just the kind of thing you could hear in the jukebox of a bar or a diner and nod along with easily. And surely -surely!- someone in the Tarantinoverse has played this in their car at least once. Oh, and speaking of a guy named White...
And then there's this. The goliath of all Marty Robbins songs. It's so good that he even tried to make a sequel, which would have been a perfectly lovely song if only it hadn't tried to keep up with the perfection that is "El Paso." Even people who don't know Marty Robbins' name still recognize the opening of this song. Using it in Breaking Bad let a new generation learn about the glory of Marty Robbins. Sure, he'll fade in a few years. But then, guess what? Someone else will dig him up, and he'll be right back on top again. Marty Robbins is just the best.
In honor of Marty Robbins, we're giving away a vinyl record on Facebook to one cool cool person. Head over to our Facebook page and do what they say and maybe you'll win! Also let us just remind you: some images come from the corresponding Wikipedia page and are here under fair use. See you next week.