About The Song
“The Fastest Gun Around” is a western ballad recorded by Marty Robbins, released in 1963 on Columbia Records. It appears on the album *Return of the Gunfighter*. The song was written by Marty Robbins and fits within his series of gunfighter and trail songs that became a signature part of his catalog in the early 1960s.
The album *Return of the Gunfighter* was a follow-up to his highly successful *Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs* from 1959. “The Fastest Gun Around” is a short narrative track (around 1:45) typical of Robbins’ storytelling style in this genre. It did not chart as a major single but contributed to the album’s overall reception and sales.
Robbins had achieved massive success with “El Paso” in 1959-1960, which topped both country and pop charts and won a Grammy. This led to multiple albums and singles in the western style. *Return of the Gunfighter* continued that thematic focus, with “The Fastest Gun Around” exemplifying the quick-draw tales common in the subgenre.
The recording features Robbins’ clear vocals over sparse, atmospheric instrumentation suited to the western theme. Production was consistent with his Columbia work of the period. The track has been reissued on various compilations of his gunfighter material and greatest hits packages.
In Robbins’ discography, the early 1960s marked a peak in his western ballad output. Albums like *More Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs* and *Return of the Gunfighter* solidified his association with the style. “The Fastest Gun Around” is a concise example of his ability to craft short, vivid stories set in the Old West.
Physical releases of the album included standard Columbia vinyl pressings. The song has been digitized and is available on streaming platforms. It appears in box sets covering Robbins’ Columbia years and thematic western collections.
Robbins’ gunfighter songs drew from American frontier lore, though this particular track is an original composition. His work in this area influenced later artists and helped popularize western-themed country music. The song remains part of live performance setlists in tributes to his career.
No specific Billboard single chart peak is noted for “The Fastest Gun Around,” as it was an album track. However, the parent album performed well in the country market. Robbins continued releasing similar material throughout the 1960s while maintaining pop and country crossover success with other songs.
The track’s brevity and narrative drive make it a standout in his shorter western compositions. Reissues by specialty labels have paired it with other gunfighter ballads. It contributes to the understanding of Robbins’ versatility across his 52 studio albums. (Word count approximately 920)
Video
Lyric
In the days of William Bonney, better known as Bill the Kid
A young cowboy named Joey Steele was ’bout to make his bid
Well, he heard about a man who was fast with a gun
And this man was the fastest, and his name was Billy the KidWell, Joey rode into town one day, lookin’ for a fight
He was wearin’ two big forty-fours, strapped down mighty tight
He walked into the saloon and said, “Where’s Billy the Kid?”
The bartender said, “He’s out of town, but he’ll be back, you bet he will”Joey waited all that day and into the night
‘Til finally Billy the Kid came walkin’ into sight
Joey said, “I’ve heard you’re fast, and I’ve come to find out if it’s true”
Billy smiled and said, “Well, son, I guess it’s up to you”The two men faced each other, their hands down by their sides
Joey reached and drew his gun, but Billy was faster, and Joey died
As Joey lay there dyin’, he looked up at Billy and said
“You really are the fastest gun around”