Marty Robbins – Ruby Ann: A Blazing Portrait of Unforgettable Love That Crossed the Charts
When we talk about the great musical storytellers, the late, great Marty Robbins stands apart, a man whose voice could transport you from the dusty trails of the Wild West to the intimate heartbreak of a lonely barstool. “Ruby Ann” is a shining example of his versatility, a vibrant, up-tempo gem released right at the peak of his legendary career. Far from the haunting atmosphere of his gunfighter ballads, this song is pure, infectious mid-century rockabilly-country-pop, showcasing his effortless ability to charm the entire American music landscape.
This track was a significant hit for Marty Robbins, released in October 1962, following his other chart success, “Devil Woman.” “Ruby Ann” proved to be a powerful crossover phenomenon, a true mark of his widespread appeal to both country and pop audiences of the day. It soared up the charts, landing at Number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart for a week. But its reach extended far beyond the traditional country confines: it also peaked impressively at Number 18 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 pop chart and reached Number 4 on the Easy Listening chart. This cross-pollination wasn’t accidental; it speaks to the magnetic quality of Robbins‘s delivery, which was polished and irresistible to a wide audience hungry for a song with a hook and a smile.
Interestingly, “Ruby Ann” was not penned by Robbins himself, but was composed by Lee Emerson and Roberta Bellamy, a writing team that understood how to craft the kind of memorable tune that perfectly suited Robbins‘s smooth, effortless vocal style. The fact that the song has multiple compositional credits speaks to the collaborative nature of the Nashville music scene in the early 1960s, producing a track that was musically tight and commercially appealing. The single’s B-side, “Won’t You Forgive,” provided a contrast, a testament to the vinyl era where flip-sides offered a second flavor to the listener.
The story of “Ruby Ann” is a joyful, slightly breathless declaration of love and devotion. It’s a classic narrative of a man completely captivated by a woman whose fiery spirit matches her striking appearance—a woman with a beauty so pronounced it almost defies description. The “Ruby” in her name instantly suggests a fiery, precious quality, and the song’s rhythm mirrors the rapid, pulsating heartbeat of a man utterly smitten. It’s about that electric moment of realization: “I said hello to the man that tried to win your hand a long time ago,” implying that the singer sees himself as just the latest in a long line of admirers, yet he is convinced he is the one who will win her heart.
For those of us who remember this track playing on the radio—whether on a drive-in jukebox or a transistor radio in the summer heat—the song is a vibrant flashback to a time of pure, uncomplicated, and head-over-heels infatuation. The meaning of “Ruby Ann” is simple, yet profound: it celebrates the intoxicating power of a love so bright, so overwhelming, that it becomes the sole focus of a man’s world. It’s a wonderful burst of optimistic, enduring romance, delivered by one of the greatest voices of our lifetime, reminding us all that sometimes, the best stories are the ones that simply make you tap your foot and fall in love all over again.
Music Legend