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.
Champagne And Wine
Otis Redding Lyrics
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Different girls, that I have known
Of all girls, that I have met
You are the one girl that I can't forget, listen
We had our time, now
Good and bad, now
I can't forget a man
Remember Side Stream
Where we used to meet
Making love, nobody but you and me
Champagne and wine
That's what you gonna get
Champagne and wine
What it's gonna be
Just as long girl you see about me
I'm gonna be, knocking on your door
I want the same love, that I had before, listen
I'm a man now
Full grown man
You got me eating from the tip of your hand
I don't mind eatin', long as you feed me
Good love and good ole sympathy
Champagne and wine
That's what it's gonna be
Everyday, is gonna just be like Sunday
Every night your gonna have stars in the sky
Ou giving you
Champagne and wine
I'm gonna give it to you
Ou, ou weeh
Ou, na na na na na na na na na na
Ou weeh baby
Giving you champagne and wine
I want you to love me, baby
I really do need you, honey
Really do want you baby
The lyrics of Otis Redding's "Champagne and Wine" reflect a man's nostalgic reflection on his past relationships and his undying love for a particular woman. As he sits and contemplates the different girls he has known, he realizes that although he's had his fair share of romances, there is one particular girl that he cannot forget. The man reminisces about their time together, recognizing that it wasn't all sunshine and roses, but regardless of the ups and downs, he can't forget her. He thinks back to Side Stream where they used to meet, where they would make love - nobody but the two of them.
The chorus "Champagne and Wine" seems to imply that he wants to spoil this woman and give her the best of everything. He wants to provide her with both bubbly and red wine - the best of both worlds. He wants to be knocking on her door again, wanting the same love that he had before. The lyrics reflect a yearning and a longing for a past love, he wants to relive the moment and the feeling he used to have. The song ends with a plea/declaration of love - he wants this woman to love him, and he really does need her.
Line by Line Meaning
Sittin' here thinking, about the times I roamed
Reflecting on my past experiences with different girls
Different girls, that I have known
I've had my fair share of relationships with various women
Of all girls, that I have met
Out of all the women I've encountered
You are the one girl that I can't forget, listen
You're the one woman who has made a lasting impression on me, listen up
We had our time, now
We had our moments together in the past
Good and bad, now
We had our ups and downs
I can't forget a man
I can't forget a thing about you
I sho' ain't gonna forget him, now
I definitely won't forget about you now
Remember Side Stream
Remember that place called Side Stream
Where we used to meet
Where we used to rendezvous
Making love, nobody but you and me
We made love in private
Champagne and wine
I'll provide you with all the finest things
That's what you gonna get
That's what you'll receive from me
What it's gonna be
That's what our relationship will look like
Just as long girl you see about me
As long as you take care of me, honey
I'm gonna be, knocking on your door
I'll always come back to you
I want the same love, that I had before, listen
I want the same love that we had in the past, listen carefully
I'm a man now
I've grown up now and I know what I want
Full grown man
I am now a fully matured adult
You got me eating from the tip of your hand
You have complete control over me
I don't mind eatin', long as you feed me
I'll do whatever it takes to keep you happy
Good love and good ole sympathy
All I want is your love and compassion
Everyday, is gonna just be like Sunday
Everyday will feel like a relaxing Sunday
Every night your gonna have stars in the sky
Every night you'll have a beautiful view of the stars
Ou giving you
I'm giving you
I'm gonna give it to you
I will give you everything you deserve
Ou, ou weeh
Vocals
Ou, na na na na na na na na na na
Vocals
Ou weeh baby
Vocals
Giving you champagne and wine
I'll give you all the luxuries in life
I want you to love me, baby
I desire your love, baby
I really do need you, honey
I truly need you, sweetheart
Really do want you baby
I really want you, baby
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN WALDEN, OTIS REDDING, ROY LEE JR. JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind