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.
Glory Of Love
Otis Redding Lyrics
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And let your poor heart break a little.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
You've got to laugh a little, cry a little,
Until the clouds roll by a little.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
We've got the world and all it's charms.
And when the world is through with us,
We've got each other's arms.
You've got to win a little, lose a little,
Yes, and always have the blues a little.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
The lyrics of The Glory of Love by Otis Redding emphasize the ups and downs of love and relationships. The song presents the idea that in order to truly love and be loved in return, one must give a little, take a little, laugh a little, cry a little, win a little, lose a little, and ultimately let their heart break a little. Despite the challenges and heartaches that come with love, the song suggests that these struggles are what make the triumphs all the more glorious.
The lyrics also suggest the importance of resilience and the support of a strong and committed partner. As long as there are two people who are willing to work together and weather the storms of life, they can overcome any obstacle and find happiness in each other's arms. The song stresses the importance of accepting both the joys and sorrows of life, knowing that they are all part of the journey of love.
Overall, The Glory of Love encourages listeners to embrace the full spectrum of human emotion and to find comfort in the knowledge that even the most difficult moments can lead to a deeper and more meaningful connection with a partner.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got to give a little, take a little,
In a relationship, both partners should give and take, and be willing to compromise.
And let your poor heart break a little.
Sometimes love can be painful and heartbreaking, but it's worth it in the end.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
These ups and downs are all part of the beauty and power of love.
You've got to laugh a little, cry a little,
Life is full of joy and sadness, and it's important to experience both in order to appreciate the good times.
Until the clouds roll by a little.
Bad times may pass, so it's important to have hope and hold on until they do.
As long as there's the two of us,
When there's love and companionship, there's nothing that can't be faced together.
We've got the world and all it's charms.
With love, the world seems like a better place, and the little things in life become more meaningful.
And when the world is through with us,
No matter what life throws at us, we can rely on each other and our love to get through it.
We've got each other's arms.
Being there for each other physically and emotionally is the foundation of a strong and lasting relationship.
You've got to win a little, lose a little,
Like with any game or competition, there will be victories as well as losses in love, and it's all part of the journey.
Yes, and always have the blues a little.
Sadness and heartache are inevitable, but they also make the happy moments more precious and cherished.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
Love isn't always easy, but it's worth all the ups and downs for the happiness and fulfillment it can bring.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Billy Hill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind