Introduction
“El Paso” was written and performed by Marty Robbins and released in 1959. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960, becoming the first No. 1 song of the 1960s.
Why You Should Listen
Although it is a country song rather than rock or pop, it became the first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the 1960s.
Highlights
- Soft guitar performance
- Nostalgic storytelling lyrics
About the Song
“El Paso” was written and performed by Marty Robbins and released in 1959. It topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and the country charts, and ranked No. 15 on the year-end chart in 1960.
The song features gentle guitar playing that complements his vocals. There are both a full-length version and a single edit—this video features the single version.
About the Artist
Martin David Robinson, known as Marty Robbins, was an American country singer and songwriter. He began his music career in 1948.
His debut single, “I’ll Go On Alone,” was released in 1952 and reached No. 1 on the Billboard country chart, though it did not chart in other categories. Many of his singles went on to become hits.
Conclusion
“El Paso” was the first No. 1 song of the 1960s and helped establish Marty Robbins as one of the leading figures in country music.
Video courtesy of the official YouTube channel.