Marty Robbins: “I’m Wanting To”—A Tender, Often-Overlooked Gem That Whispers of Lasting Devotion
Sometimes, the songs that truly linger aren’t the chart-toppers that blare from every radio, but the quieter, more intimate B-sides or album cuts that you discover almost accidentally. They become personal treasures, speaking to a depth of feeling that the flashier hits sometimes miss. Marty Robbins’s “I’m Wanting To” is precisely this kind of song—a beautifully simple declaration of enduring love that resonates with the quiet strength of a long and committed relationship.
This particular song was released in 1959 as the B-side to one of his more well-known tracks, “The Hanging Tree,” the theme song for the eponymous Western film. While “The Hanging Tree” certainly garnered attention, it’s “I’m Wanting To” that offers a glimpse into Robbins’s unparalleled ability to convey pure, unadorned sentiment. Though it didn’t register a major independent placement on the national charts due to being tied to the commercial success of its A-side, its inclusion in his repertoire from that period, an era when Robbins was at his commercial and creative zenith, underscores its quality and enduring emotional appeal.
The year 1959 was, of course, a monumental one for Marty Robbins, as it was the year that brought us the magnificent, groundbreaking album “Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs.” While “I’m Wanting To” isn’t strictly part of that album’s iconic mythology, it shares the same sense of classic, deliberate craft. It was recorded during this golden age, capturing the richness and warmth of his voice that had matured since his early 50s rockabilly efforts.
What makes this track so touching, especially for those of us who have lived long enough to truly understand what fidelity means, is its profound lyrical maturity. The song isn’t about the fleeting passion of a new romance; it’s about the conscious, continuous choice to love someone, day after day. The lyric beautifully states, “I’m wanting to, I’m wanting to / Share my whole life with you,” moving beyond the simple “I love you” to a more active, intentional commitment.
Think about the sheer, quiet conviction in those words. It speaks of a love that withstands the changing seasons of life—the rough patches, the mundane days, and the moments when the initial spark might settle into a deep, steady glow. This is the soundtrack to making coffee together every morning for fifty years, or the comfortable silence shared while watching the sunset. It’s a reflection of the kind of enduring devotion that builds a life, brick by emotional brick.
The arrangement is simple, letting Robbins’s tender vocal delivery carry the weight. There are no flashy orchestral flourishes or distracting rock and roll rhythms; just a gentle, country-tinged backing that feels like a warm embrace. This musical modesty enhances the song’s meaning, suggesting that the deepest emotional truths are often spoken in the lowest, most sincere register.
For the longtime admirer of Marty Robbins, “I’m Wanting To” is a perfect example of his range—the same man who could sing about the drama of a duel in “El Paso” could also perfectly capture the sweet, quiet comfort of coming home. It is a heartfelt whisper in a catalogue full of shouts. It reminds us that at the core of all his stories, whether of the frontier or the heart, was a deep, palpable human emotion. It’s a beautiful song to rediscover, a gentle reminder that true love is less about being in love and more about wanting to be there, every single day.