Marty Robbins – Ruby Ann: A High-Octane Celebration of Love and the Thrill of the Chase
In the early 1960s, Marty Robbins was a man who moved as fast as the cars he loved to race. Released in 1962 as a single and featured on his album Portrait of Marty, “Ruby Ann” is a vibrant, foot-tapping masterpiece of country-pop. The song was a runaway success, peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and even crossing over to hit No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100. For those of us who remember the era of jukeboxes and drive-ins, this track is a shot of pure, rhythmic adrenaline—a reminder of a time when love felt like a wide-open road and the world was full of possibility.
For the reader who has lived through the decades of transition in American music, “Ruby Ann” carries a wonderful, sun-lit nostalgia. Marty Robbins, with a voice as nimble and smooth as a finely tuned engine, steps away from the somber ballads of the frontier to deliver a performance of sheer charisma. It is a song for the person who remembers the excitement of a new romance—the kind that makes you want to “howl at the moon” and “shout it from the rooftops.” For the mature listener, there is a youthful energy in Marty’s delivery that is absolutely infectious, proving that the “Gentle Balladeer” could also be the life of the party.
The story behind the song is a classic example of Marty’s versatility. Written by Roberta Bellamy, the track perfectly captures the “Country-Rock” sound that was beginning to take shape in Nashville. In 1962, Marty was already a legend for his Western stories, but with “Ruby Ann,” he showed he could compete with the rock and rollers of the day. He traded the Spanish guitars of El Paso for a driving, piano-led rhythm and a snapping backbeat. For the mature reader, the song is a testament to Marty’s ability to remain relevant across genres—he wasn’t just a singer of history; he was a creator of the modern sound.
The lyrical meaning of “Ruby Ann” is found in its playful, unyielding devotion. The narrator is a man completely smitten, admiring Ruby Ann’s spirit and her “wildcat” nature. When Marty sings about how she makes him feel, there is a sense of genuine delight in his voice. In our later years, we look back and realize that the most precious relationships are often the ones that kept us on our toes—the “Ruby Anns” who brought a bit of fire and mystery into our lives. It is a celebration of a partner who is both a lover and a best friend, someone who makes the journey through life feel like an adventure.
Musically, the track is a masterclass in early 60s production. It features a bright, walking bassline, a cascading piano melody, and those iconic, rhythmic handclaps that invite the listener to join in. Marty’s phrasing is impeccable, punctuated by his signature “chuckle” and a vocal style that feels both relaxed and energetic. To listen to this track today is to rediscover the joy of the simple, three-minute pop song. Marty Robbins reminds us that while life has its serious moments, there is always room for a song that makes you want to dance.