An Anthem of Hope for the Weary Soul
In the autumn of 1971, amidst the tumultuous currents of a changing world, a song arrived on the airwaves like a gentle, reassuring hand on the shoulder. It was Marty Robbins‘ “The Best Part Of Living,” a timeless melody that promised solace and meaning in the simple, overlooked moments of life. This track, written by his steel guitar player B.D. Johnson, was released in November 1971 from the album I’ve Got a Woman’s Love. While it may not be as universally recognized as his monumental hits like “El Paso” or “Big Iron,” this poignant ballad found a home in the hearts of many, climbing to the number 6 spot on the U.S. Country charts, a testament to its quiet power and resonant message.
The story of the song’s creation is a beautiful reflection of the relationship between Marty Robbins and his bandmates. It wasn’t born from some grand, epic narrative of the Old West, but rather from a profound, personal observation. B.D. Johnson, the song’s writer, was not just a musician but an artist in his own right, and he captured a universal truth with his lyrics. The song’s meaning is a simple yet profound meditation on the true nature of happiness. It’s a gentle reminder that the grand adventures and dramatic moments of life are not what give it its worth. Instead, the real treasures are found in the small, unassuming details: a warm cup of coffee, a friend’s laughter, the sight of a sunrise, or the shared silence with a loved one. For a generation that had seen so much—wars, social upheaval, and a rapid acceleration of change—”The Best Part Of Living” offered a much-needed breath of fresh air. It was a song that encouraged a reflective pause, a moment to appreciate the world around you and the people who fill it with light.
Listening to this song now, a wave of nostalgia washes over you. It’s a reminder of a time when songs were stories, when a melody could transport you to a different place and a different state of mind. You can almost picture yourself, a little younger, sitting in a kitchen bathed in morning sunlight, the radio playing softly in the background. The song’s gentle, rolling rhythm, punctuated by the sweet, weeping sound of the steel guitar, feels like a conversation with an old friend. It’s a song that understood the quiet desperation that can sometimes creep into a person’s life and offered a simple, elegant solution: look around you. The best part of living isn’t a destination; it’s the journey itself, a collection of tiny, beautiful moments that accumulate to form a rich and meaningful existence. In a world that often demands so much of us, “The Best Part Of Living” remains a gentle, steadfast voice, reminding us to slow down, to breathe, and to find joy in the simple fact of being alive.
Oldies Songs 
Oldies Songs