An Enduring Melody of Love: Marty Robbins‘ Timeless Ode to Affection
A simple, heartfelt query that reminds us to cherish and voice our deepest love every day.
We all have those songs, don’t we? The ones that, with the first gentle slide of a steel guitar or the clear, unhurried voice of a cherished artist, instantly transport us back to a sweeter, simpler time. The air feels cleaner, the light softer, and maybe we’re sitting on a porch swing again, a young love beside us. Among those treasured recordings is Marty Robbins’ beautiful and tender take on “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You.”
This isn’t a song that Marty Robbins wrote, but one he claimed and delivered with the sincere, easy charm that was his trademark. The track is a gorgeous example of Robbins’ versatility, placing him squarely in the realm of balladry, far from the dramatic narratives of his famous gunfighter ballads. It was originally penned by Scotty Wiseman in 1944 and was first a hit for him and his wife, Lulu Belle, becoming one of the first country songs to cross over significantly into the pop market. The first released version was by Gene Autry in 1945. Robbins’ version, released in 1957, was included on his 1957 album, The Songs of Robbins, and although it may not have scaled the same dizzying heights of his later chart-toppers like “El Paso,” it was a beloved, persistent presence on country radio. While specific data for a single release in 1957 can be elusive, the sheer number of subsequent re-releases and inclusions on compilations speaks to its enduring popularity. It is a testament to the fact that not every classic needs a number-one sticker to be a true standard.
The enduring meaning of the song lies in its simplicity. It’s an earnest, straightforward expression of profound love and gratitude. The narrator simply asks, “Have I told you lately that I love you? Have I told you there’s no one above you?” It’s a gentle reminder to pause from the daily grind—the bills, the chores, the worries—and articulate the one thing that truly sustains us: the love of a good woman or man. The lyrics praise a partner who fills the singer’s life with gladness, takes away sadness, and eases troubles. For many of us, especially those of a certain vintage, this isn’t a flamboyant show tune, but the real, quiet, deep-seated appreciation of a lifetime companion—the kind of person who is a daily source of comfort and light.
Marty Robbins’ delivery, with its signature warmth and rich tone, turns this classic into a gentle caress. Unlike the dramatic storytelling of his cowboy tunes, here the story is purely one of devotion. It’s the sound of a man looking over at his love one evening and realizing, with a heart full of emotion, that he hasn’t said those three little words lately. It’s a small, intimate moment of reflection, perfectly captured in that lush, late-50s Countrypolitan sound that Robbins mastered. His version, even today, sounds like a hug. It’s a sweet, melodic whisper across the years, reminding us that no matter how long we’ve been with our loved ones, the simple acknowledgement of their presence is the greatest gift we can give. That continuous, simple query—Have I told you lately?—is a way of taking stock, of checking in with the deepest part of our lives, and in doing so, ensuring that the love is never taken for granted.
Oldies Songs