The release is part of an ongoing 50th anniversary celebration of the song "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" which topped the charts in America on March 16, 1968.
Although nothing is actually previously unreleased, Dock of the Bay Sessions effectively brings together individual tracks that have found their way onto posthumous albums and compilations and attempts to paint a picture of what the next Otis Redding album might have looked like had the singer not been tragically killed in a plane crash on December 10, 1967.
This new collection, which features 12 songs including Hard To Handle, Gone Again and I've Got Dreams To Remember, was compiled with input from Roger Armstrong of Ace Records and Otis biographer Jonathan Gould and has the Redding family's full endorsement.
The Dock of the Bay
Otis Redding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be sittin' when the evenin' comes
Watchin' the ships roll in
Then I watch 'em roll away again
I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watchin' the tide, roll away
I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time
I left my home in Georgia
And I headed for the Frisco Bay
'Cause I've got nothin' to live for
Looks like nothin's gonna come my way, so
I'm just come sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watchin' the tide roll away
I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay, wastin' time
Looks like nothin's gonna change
Everything seems to stay the same
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I'll remain the same
I'm sittin' here restin' my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone
This two thousand miles I roamed
Just to make this dock my home
Now I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watchin' the tide roll away
Sittin' on the dock of the bay
I'm wastin' time
The lyrics to Otis Redding's song "The Dock of the Bay" are a reflection on the human experience of loneliness and the struggle to find purpose or meaning in life. The singer is sitting on the dock of the bay, watching the ships come and go, and wasting time. His wandering, rootless existence has brought him to this place where he can do nothing but sit and reflect on his life. The repetitive nature of watching the tide roll in and roll away again is a symbolic representation of the futility of life.
In the second verse, the singer explains why he left his home in Georgia and headed for the Frisco Bay. His hopelessness is apparent as he says he has nothing to live for and it looks like nothing is going to come his way. The third verse acknowledges that nothing will change and everything seems to stay the same, but the singer cannot do what ten people tell him to do, so he remains the same.
The final verse reveals that the singer has roamed two thousand miles just to make this dock his home. He is restless, and the loneliness won't leave him alone. The last line implies that he will continue to sit on this dock, watching the tide roll away, and wasting time, as he has nowhere else to go and nothing else to do.
Line by Line Meaning
Sittin' in the mornin' sun
I am sitting on the dock enjoying the warmth and light of the morning sun.
I'll be sittin' when the evenin' comes
I plan to sit here all day and watch the ships come in and out until nightfall.
Watchin' the ships roll in
I am observing the boats coming into the dock.
Then I watch 'em roll away again
I am also observing the boats leaving the dock after they have arrived.
I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
I am located on the dock of the bay.
Watchin' the tide, roll away
I am watching as the tide recedes and the water level drops.
Wastin' time
I am not doing anything productive while I am sitting here on the dock.
I left my home in Georgia
I have departed from my residence in Georgia.
And I headed for the Frisco Bay
I have traveled to Frisco Bay.
'Cause I've got nothin' to live for
I have lost purpose and motivation for life.
Looks like nothin's gonna come my way, so
It appears that nothing positive or worthwhile will happen for me.
Looks like nothin's gonna change
I perceive that no significant events or transitions will happen.
Everything seems to stay the same
My surroundings and circumstances persist without progression or variation.
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
I refuse to conform to the requests and commands of others.
So I guess I'll remain the same
I suppose I will continue to be in my current state and follow my own path.
I'm sittin' here restin' my bones
I am sitting on the dock, relaxing and taking a break from physical activity.
And this loneliness won't leave me alone
I am experiencing feelings of isolation and sadness that are persistent and present.
This two thousand miles I roamed
I have traveled a long distance of two thousand miles.
Just to make this dock my home
I have decided to make this dock my place of residence and comfort.
Now I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay
Currently, I am sitting and observing the bay from the dock.
I'm wastin' time
I am not engaging in any productive activities or actions while I am sitting on the dock.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Steve Cropper, Otis Redding
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind