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.
A Woman A Lover A Friend
Otis Redding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somebody to love me and understand
I want me a woman, I want a lover, I want a friend, oh
I want me somebody to share my love
Lovin' is something I gotta have
I want me a woman, I want a lover, I want a friend
And I don't want me a woman who thinks she's a saint
I'm lookin' for someone who's not make believe
And doesn't mind giving so that she may receive
I want me somebody somewhere around
That's looking for someone
TEE pound for pound
Oh, I want me a woman, I want a lover, I want a friend
Yeah
I want this little girl right now
I Want to run away now
Want her really how now
Ah, baby
Come on baby
Need you right here by my side now
I need you to protect me
I need you to stand right by me
And I want you
And I want you to just
Come on baby
And I want you
I want you
I want you
I want you
I want you
I want you
I want you
I want you
I want you
The song "Woman a Lover a Friend" by Otis Redding is a heartfelt plea for love and companionship. The lyrics express the singer's desire for a woman who can be his lover, friend, and companion in life. The first two lines, "I want me somebody to hold my hand / Somebody to love me and understand," convey the singer's need for physical and emotional affection from a partner.
The following lines reveal the singer's specific desires in a woman. He wants someone with whom he can share his love and who reciprocates his feelings. He is not interested in a woman who is shallow or superficial, but instead wants someone genuine and giving. The repeated refrain of "I want me a woman, I want a lover, I want a friend" emphasizes the singer's need for a well-rounded partner who can fulfill multiple roles in his life.
Overall, the song is a moving expression of the universal human desire for love and connection. The lyrics communicate the singer's longing for a partner who can provide emotional support, physical affection, and a deep connection on multiple levels.
Line by Line Meaning
Mmm, I want me somebody to hold my hand
I desire to find someone to provide emotional support and be there for me physically
Somebody to love me and understand
I am searching for a person who will both love me and comprehend my needs
I want me a woman, I want a lover, I want a friend, oh
I seek someone who can fulfill different roles in my life, as a woman, a partner, and a companion
I want me somebody to share my love
I yearn for someone who reciprocates the affection I have to give
Lovin' is something I gotta have
Experiencing love is a necessity for me
I want me a woman, I want a lover, I want a friend
Again, I am seeking the same kind of person who can be different things to me
I don't want a fancy gal, powder and paint
A superficial, high-maintenance woman is not what I desire
And I don't want me a woman who thinks she's a saint
I am not looking for someone with a holier-than-thou attitude
I'm lookin' for someone who's not make believe
I want a real, genuine person
And doesn't mind giving so that she may receive
I want someone who is willing to give and take equally in a relationship
I want me somebody somewhere around
I desire someone who is close by and accessible
That's looking for someone
TEE pound for pound
I hope to find someone who is also seeking a partner and is committed to a balanced, fair relationship
Oh, I want me a woman, I want a lover, I want a friend
I repeat my desire for this particular kind of partner
Yeah
A simple affirmation or agreement
I want this little girl right now
I Want to run away now
Want her really how now
Ah, baby
Come on baby
I am so drawn to this woman that I want to escape with her and have her for myself
Need you right here by my side now
I need you to protect me
I need you to stand right by me
I desire a partner who will support me and be my protector
And I want you
And I want you to just
Come on baby
And I want you
I want you
I want you
I want you
I want you
I want you
I want you
I want you
I want you
I cannot deny my strong attraction to this person and I want them to be in my life in all of the ways I have described
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SID WYCHE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BikeNerd
this tune is impeccable! the band, his vox, the complete package. No doubt.
VANESSA WYCHE
jacobo salazar jr Thanks for liking my dad song
Jesse Friend
I live in Madison, WI (where his plane crashed, for those who don’t know the history), and every year on the anniversary, i go out on the lake, play this song (and a few others), reflect on the tragedy of such a talent lost so young, and give thanks for the beautiful gifts he left us before he was taken.
Cold af out on that lake in December, but worth it.
shambo22
I used to play this song again and again back then in the sixties. never heard such a well sung blues since then...
Megg_Garden
Superbe. . Toujours la même sensation quand on écoute cette voix .. ❤
Nina Ross
A woman that don't mind giving so she can receive!!! The big O had class & game at the same time R.I.P. Mr. Redding!!!!
Anita JB Nindi
Another great song from Otis Reading....
James Welsh
I honestly love your posts and always enjoy reading them in my lonely spare time. I'm so sorry I invaded your privacy, but I'd love to be friends with someone who could share such sensitive post content, which means you're a woman of integrity. I wanted to add you but sending you a friend request without your consent is inappropriate because I'm a public figure and it wouldn't take much either, I'd appreciate it if you send me a friend request now so we can be friends and text better here on YouTube
Mike Anderson
I've honestly never heard someone say "Otis cannot sing it from the heart" (Clara)...haha. Honestly, they are both great versions. I love both of em :-)
Joli Rose
Love Otis Redding🍷💥🧸🧸💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻🌹🌹❤️❣️❣️❣️👍🍷🍷🍷🍷