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.
Hey Hey Baby
Otis Redding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, you sure is fine
Hey, hey pretty baby
Baby, you sure is fine
Every time I look at you
You drive me out of my mind
She got big blue eyes
She got big blues eyes
Want her here by my side
Hey, hey pretty baby
Let me be your little guide
She got ruby lips
Boy, she sure got pretty hips
She got ruby lips
Boy, she sure got pretty hips
And when she walks down the street
All the cats go flippity flip
She got big blue eyes
Want her here by my side
She got big blues eyes
Want her here by my side
Hey, hey pretty baby
Let me be your little guide
Hey, hey pretty baby
Baby, you sure is fine
Hey, hey pretty baby
Baby, you sure is fine
Every time I look at you
You drive me out of my mind
Hey, hey pretty baby
Baby, you sure is fine
Hey, hey pretty baby
The lyrics in Otis Redding's song "Hey Hey Baby" convey the singer's admiration and attraction towards a beautiful woman. He repeatedly emphasizes her physical features, such as her big blue eyes and pretty hips, which immediately capture his attention and drive him "out of his mind" every time he looks at her. He also expresses a desire to be with her, to guide her through life as her "little guide."
The repetition of phrases like "hey hey pretty baby" and "baby, you sure is fine" creates a catchy, upbeat tone that is characteristic of Redding's soulful sound. The lyrics also have a playful, flirty quality that may have helped make the song popular with listeners. At the same time, the song reinforces traditional gender norms, where the man takes on the role of guide and protector for the woman.
Overall, "Hey Hey Baby" is a classic love song that captures the excitement and intensity of early attraction. It celebrates the beauty and allure of a woman, which is perhaps why it has remained a popular and often-covered song over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey pretty baby
Greetings, beautiful woman
Baby, you sure is fine
You are stunningly attractive
Every time I look at you
Whenever I gaze upon you
You drive me out of my mind
You make me go crazy with desire
She got big blue eyes
Her eyes are large and blue
Want her here by my side
I want her to stay close to me
Let me be your little guide
Allow me to lead and show you the way
She got ruby lips
Her lips are red like rubies
Boy, she sure got pretty hips
Her hips are very attractive
And when she walks down the street
Whenever she strolls on the street
All the cats go flippity flip
All the men become attracted and excited
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: OTIS REDDING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ethan Hill
I loved OTIS REDDING when I was knee high to an atom. I was knee high to a grasshopper when he died. I knew it was tragic. Meant he couldn't sing. My mood went where I couldn't identify.
Peter Checksfield
The only thing that could've improved this is a sax break! Love Otis and Richard equally.
Peter Checksfield
@Layladventures Here I meant the kinda thing heard in many Little Richard hits. Would be ideal in this.
Layladventures Here
@Peter Checksfield I must’ve misunderstood what you meant by “ sax break”
Peter Checksfield
@Layladventures Here No, it's Rock 'n' Roll!!!
Layladventures Here
But it’s not jazz!
JT Akbar
I'm witch! Let's add it in:)
Noyjou1
Immortal song
gilly5528
Otis through and through!!...no one, NO ONE else has that same raspy, church moan!
Brianna Roberson
@Michel Coste It's Otis 100% purposely sounding like Little Richard.. He was one if his inspirations..