Redding was born in Dawson, Georgia, and at the age of 2, moved to Macon, Georgia. Redding quit school at age 15 to support his family, working with Little Richard's backing band, the Upsetters, and by performing in talent shows at the historic Douglass Theatre in Macon. In 1958, he joined Johnny Jenkins's band, the Pinetoppers, with whom he toured the Southern states as a singer and driver. An unscheduled appearance on a Stax recording session led to a contract and his first single, "These Arms of Mine", in 1962.
Stax released Redding's debut album, Pain in My Heart, two years later. Initially popular mainly with African-Americans, Redding later reached a wider American pop music audience. Along with his group, he first played small gigs in the American South. He later performed at the popular Los Angeles night club Whisky a Go Go and toured Europe, performing in London, Paris and other major cities. He also performed at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.
Shortly before his death in a plane crash, Redding wrote and recorded his iconic "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" with Steve Cropper. The song became the first posthumous number-one record on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. The album The Dock of the Bay was the first posthumous album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart. Redding's premature death devastated Stax. Already on the verge of bankruptcy, the label soon discovered that the Atco division of Atlantic Records owned the rights to his entire song catalog.
Redding received many posthumous accolades, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In addition to "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," "Respect" and "Try a Little Tenderness" are among his best-known songs.
Redding has been called the "King of Soul", an honorific also given to Brown and Cooke. He remains one of the genre's most recognized artists. His lean and powerful style exemplified the Stax sound; he was said to be "the heart and soul of Stax", while artists such as Al Jackson, Dunn and Cropper helped to expand its structure. His open-throated singing, the tremolo/vibrato, the manic, electrifying stage performances and perceived honesty were particular hallmarks, along with the use of interjections (such as "gotta, gotta, gotta"), some of which came from Cooke. Producer Stewart thought the "begging singing" was stress-induced and enhanced by Redding's shyness.
Artists from many genres have named Redding as a musical influence. George Harrison called "Respect" an inspiration for "Drive My Car". The Rolling Stones also mentioned Redding as a major influence. Other artists influenced by Redding include Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Doors, and virtually every soul and R&B musician from the early years, such as Al Green, Etta James, William Bell, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Conley. Janis Joplin was influenced by his singing style, according to Sam Andrew, a guitarist in her band Big Brother and the Holding Company. She stated that she learned "to push a song instead of just sliding over it" after hearing Redding.
The Bee Gees' Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb wrote the song "To Love Somebody" for him to record. He loved it, and he was going to "cut it", as Barry put it, on his return from his final concert. They dedicated the song to his memory.
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
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 © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Steve Cropper, Otis Redding
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@classicalmusic1175
This song was finished up in the studio just 3 days before Redding was killed in a plane crash. What a parting gift from the king of soul.
@timtime9167
That's why the last verse is whistling he was supposed to come back and add a verse.
@beaconlight4720
Overrated
@timtime9167
@@beaconlight4720 that's your perspective.
@TF58582
Dudes a legend👏🏼
@SassaFrass28
Yes - a parting gift from Otis after his shocking death - so melancholy yet so much strength & determination despite all
@terryprice5720
It was my junior year in college. I had just signed on the dotted line to commit myself to Navy flight school and six years of active duty, right at the height of the Vietnam war. I signed the contract with the Navy recruiter while in the student center at college. After we shook hands, I walked away and sat down at a table alone. Now, I have to go home and tell my parents what I have done. This song came on the jukebox. It was September 14, 1968
@amberfillmore3517
Thank you for your service
@tawneeens436
Terry Price Thank you for your service 🇺🇸
@leebaker2588
Welcome home, Terry.