Growing up I always liked those songs where the lyrics told a story. The story for today’s song is about a cowboy from the west Texas town of El Paso, who falls in love with a cantina dancer. Unfortunately, his love for the beautiful maiden will be his demise.
This number one hit goes all the way back to 1959. It is a country and western song called El Paso and sung by country star Marty Robbins.
In 1959 no record label wanted a song over 3 minutes long, at least as a single. El Paso topped out at nearly 4:40. The song had no chorus that could be cut to shorten its length. The execs at Columbia Records took a chance and released the song anyway and it topped the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1960. It was the first song longer than 4 minutes to ever top the chart.
This song has another distinction, winning the first Grammy ever awarded in the category Best Country & Western Performance. Country America magazine ranked this #6 on their Top 100 country songs of all time.
Singing and guitar playing wasn’t Marty Robbins' only talent. He was also an actor, TV host, NASCAR race driver, and novelist.
The video, although a little blurry, is an excellent way to listen to this classic old song.
Joe Domino is a Realtor® serving the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. Need more information? Or to Search for your next home, visit www.Scottsdale-AZHomes.com
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