Marty Robbins – Funny Face: A Tender Tribute to the Beauty of an Imperfect, Everyday Love
In the vast landscape of Marty Robbins’ legendary career, where he often portrayed the rugged outlaw or the heartbroken wanderer, “Funny Face” stands out as a moment of pure, domestic sunshine. It is a song that doesn’t look toward the distant horizon or the dramatic past; instead, it looks directly across the breakfast table. Released in 1972 on the album This Much a Man, this track is a warm, deeply affectionate celebration of the “little things”—the quirks and imperfections that make a partner not just a lover, but a best friend.
Coming on the heels of his massive success with more serious material, “Funny Face” showcased Robbins’ incredible ability to be relatable and charming. While the title might sound lighthearted, the song’s success was serious: it climbed to Number 6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. This was a period where Marty Robbins was embracing a softer, more “country-politan” sound, and this song, which he wrote himself, proved that his pen was just as sharp when writing about tender devotion as it was when writing about a gunfight in El Paso.
The story of the song is an intimate, private conversation between a man and his wife. He addresses her affectionately as “Funny Face,” a nickname that carries a world of shared history and playful intimacy. He talks about her “crooked little smile” and the way she looks when she’s just woken up or when she’s being silly. There’s a beautiful sense of presence in the lyrics; he isn’t dreaming of a movie star or a flawless beauty—he is looking at the woman who has stood by him, “wrinkles” and all, and finding her absolutely captivating.
The profound meaning of “Funny Face” lies in its rejection of superficial perfection. For those of us who have shared decades with a partner, we know that true beauty isn’t found in a polished image, but in the familiar, slightly weathered face of someone who has shared our life’s journey. The song celebrates:
- The Beauty of the Everyday: It argues that love is built in the ordinary moments—the shared laughs, the messy mornings, and the quiet comfort of being truly known.
- The Comfort of Acceptance: By calling her “Funny Face,” he isn’t teasing her; he is telling her that he loves her exactly as she is. It’s an anthem for anyone who has ever felt self-conscious, offering the ultimate reassurance: “I love you because you are uniquely you.”
- Gratitude for Loyalty: Beneath the playful lyrics is a deep vein of thankfulness. He acknowledges that she is “the best thing that ever happened” to him, turning a cute nickname into a profound statement of life-long commitment.
Marty Robbins delivers this track with a light, airy quality in his voice that is absolutely infectious. He trades his “gunfighter” intensity for a gentle, rhythmic delivery that feels like a warm hug. For the listener, it’s a nostalgic trip back to a time when songs about love were honest, sweet, and focused on the person standing right in front of you. It’s a reminder that the most beautiful face in the world is the one that has smiled at you through the good times and the bad.