El Paso
Marty Robbins
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Out in the West Texas town of El Paso I fell in love with a Mexican girl Nighttime would find me in Rosa's cantina Music would play and Felina would whirl Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina Wicked and evil while casting a spell My love was deep for this Mexican maiden I was in love, but in vain I could tell One night a wild young cowboy came in Wild as the West Texas wind Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing With wicked Felina, the girl that I loved So in anger I challenged his right for the love of this maiden Down went his hand for the gun that he wore My challenge was answered in less than a heartbeat The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor Just for a moment I stood there In silence Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there I had but one chance and that was to run Out through the back door of Rosa's I ran Out where the horses were tied I caught a good one, it looked like it could run Up on its back and away I did ride Just as fast as I could from the West Texas town of El Paso Out to the badlands of New Mexico Back in El Paso my life would be worthless Everything's gone, in life nothing is left It's been so long since I've seen the young maiden My love is stronger than my fear of death I saddled up and away I did go Riding alone in the dark Maybe tomorrow a bullet may find me Tonight nothing's worse than this pain in my heart And at last here I am on the hill overlooking El Paso I can see Rosa's Cantina below My love is strong and it pushes me onward Down off the hill to Felina I go Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys Off to my left ride a dozen or more Shouting and shooting, I can't let them catch me I have to make it to Rosa's back door Something is dreadfully wrong, for I feel A deep burning pain in my side Though I am trying to stay in the saddle I'm getting weary, unable to ride But my love for Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallen Though I am weary, I can't stop to rest I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle I feel the bullet go deep in my chest From out of nowhere Felina has found me Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for One little kiss, then Felina good-bye
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12 facts about this song
Country Music Success"El Paso" is a country music song written and performed by Marty Robbins that swiftly became a hit on both the country and pop charts, further cementing Robbins' legacy as a country legend.
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Song DurationUnlike many songs during its time, "El Paso" runs for 4 minutes and 38 seconds, which was considered exceptionally long when released in 1959; typical songs lasted around 2 or 3 minutes.
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Grammy AwardThe song won the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording in 1961, marking Robbins' first Grammy win.
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Storytelling"El Paso" is one of the best examples of a country ballad. It tells a story in song, which was a staple of Robbins' music and one of the reasons for his widespread popularity.
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Intricate LyricsThe song is known for its intricate rhyming scheme, which is consistent throughout the entire story, making it unique and stand out among other songs of the same era.
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Chart Performance"El Paso" was a No. 1 hit on both the country and pop charts; it's one of the few country songs to top both charts.
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InspirationThe song was inspired by the time Robbins spent in El Paso, Texas during his early career. The city became the backdrop for this ballad's dramatic desert love story.
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Signature Song"El Paso" became one of Marty Robbins's signature songs, and he continued performing it throughout his career until his death in 1982.
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SequelsThe song's popularity led Robbins to record two sequels — "Feleena (From El Paso)" in 1966 and "El Paso City" in 1976.
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Unique Musical CompositionThe song employed a Spanish-influenced melody and Texas-Mexican vernacular imagery, which was exceptional among country music of the time.
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Cover VersionsOver the years, "El Paso" has been covered by many artists across various music genres, illustrating how its appeal extends far beyond just country and western fans.
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Induction into Grammy Hall of FameIn 1998, "El Paso" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, recognizing its qualitative and historical significance. This honor signifies the enduring impact of the song and its continued popularity across generations.
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Citation
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"El Paso Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2830692/Marty+Robbins/El+Paso>.
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