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.
Groovin' Time
Otis Redding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you can't groove me, boy, you might as well let me be
It's lovin' timeâ??that's what my baby told me
If you can't love me, boy, you might as well let me be
Now, she said she don't want me hanging in the street
Don't want me going down seeing old Pete
Hanging out on Broadway is not her stick
Staying up late at night is not her kick
Wants me to love her later in the night
That's what she told me
If you can't do it, boy, you might as well let me be
Baby, it's groovin' time, that's what my baby told me
If you can't groove me, boy, you might as well let me be
Said she don't want me shootin' no pool
Running in the street, acting like a dog-gone fool
Said she just want me to stay at home
Just tend to my business, leave other people alone
Said she don't want me hanging in them nightclubs
All them Broadway funky, funky nightclubs
That's what she told me
If you can't do it, boy, you might as well let me be
It's groovin' time, that's what my baby told me
If you can't groove me, boy, you might as well let me be
In Otis Redding's song Groovin' Time, his partner confesses that she wants him to spend more time with her than engaging in activities that won't make him happy. The lyrics depict the girl's demand for more quality time with Redding, requesting him to avoid going to clubs or hanging out with friends. She also wants him to love and tease her more often, especially in the night. The girl wants him to give her full attention and not to waste time on undesirable things. She's asking for some fun and romantic groovy time.
The song's lyrics exemplify the importance of spending quality time with loved ones and making them feel special. It showcases that being together, grooving and enjoying each other's company is a vital aspect of a relationship. It highlights the need to prioritize your partner above other activities, indicating that solid connections require time and effort from both partners. Overall, Groovin' Time is a great reminder that time spent with your loved ones is precious and should be treasured.
Line by Line Meaning
It's groovin' timeâ??that's what my baby told me
My partner told me that it's time to groove and have fun.
If you can't groove me, boy, you might as well let me be
If you can't dance or have fun with me, then there's no point in being together.
It's lovin' timeâ??that's what my baby told me
My partner wants to spend some quality time together and show affection.
If you can't love me, boy, you might as well let me be
If you can't show love and affection, there's no point in being together.
Now, she said she don't want me hanging in the street
My partner doesn't want me to hang out in the streets or with people who may lead me astray.
Don't want me going down seeing old Pete
My partner doesn't want me to spend time with someone who might not be a good influence.
Hanging out on Broadway is not her stick
My partner doesn't enjoy hanging out in Broadway or any other noisy, crowded place.
Staying up late at night is not her kick
My partner doesn't prefer to stay up late at night; instead, she wants to rest and relax.
Wants me to tease her all the time
My partner likes to be teased and enjoys playful banter.
Wants me to love her later in the night
My partner wants me to show her affection and love during nighttime.
That's what she told me
All the above are the things that my partner told me.
Said she don't want me shootin' no pool
My partner doesn't want me to engage in any activities that might lead me astray.
Running in the street, acting like a dog-gone fool
My partner doesn't want me to behave recklessly or foolishly.
Said she just want me to stay at home
My partner wants me to stay at home and focus on my responsibilities.
Just tend to my business, leave other people alone
My partner wants me to focus on my own life and not get involved in other people's affairs unnecessarily.
Said she don't want me hanging in them nightclubs
My partner doesn't want me to hang out in nightclubs and other noisy places with a bad influence.
All them Broadway funky, funky nightclubs
My partner specifically mentions avoiding Broadway-style nightclubs and other similar places.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: OTIS REDDING, STEPHEN LEE CROPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kimberly Griffin
There should b at least 2mil hits on this & other Otis songs. People like junk, more power 2 em,I never stop listenin 2 good musik, like this, never heard a bad song from him. Legend. I'm still groovin wit u & 2u., Otis!!
Virgil Signore
What a legacy he left in such a short life. Truly a great, great artist.
Dupond M
oh yes and we missed him a lot <3
Bubs D
It's groovin' time??that's what my baby told me
If you can't groove me, boy, you might as well let me be
It's lovin' time??that's what my baby told me
If you can't love me, boy, you might as well let me be
Now, she said she don't want me hanging in the street
Don't want me going down seeing old Pete
Hanging out on Broadway is not her stick
Staying up late at night is not her kick
Wants me to tease her all the time
Wants me to love her later in the night
That's what she told me
If you can't do it, boy, you might as well let me be
Baby, it's groovin' time, that's what my baby told me
If you can't groove me, boy, you might as well let me be
Said she don't want me shootin' no pool
Running in the street, acting like a dog-gone fool
Said she just want me to stay at home
Just tend to my business, leave other people alone
Said she don't want me hanging in them nightclubs
All them Broadway funky, funky nightclubs
That's what she told me
If you can't do it, boy, you might as well let me be
It's groovin' time, that's what my baby told me
If you can't groove me, boy, you might as well let me be
Braktooth
Much, much too long since I heard this song.
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