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.
I'm Coming Home to See About You
Otis Redding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm coming home to dry your weeping eyes
Hush, little darling, and don't be blue
I'm coming home to see about you
It's been so long since I've seen you
I don't know what in the world I'm gonna do
But if you're still waiting with your love so true
You'll make me
Hush, darling, and don't you cry
I'm coming home to wipe your weeping eyes
Hush, little darling, and don't you be blue
I'm coming home to see about you
You know I got to see my baby she's my one desire
Got to see my baby' she set my little soul on fire
Got to see my baby she's everything I need
She makes me
Hush, darling, and don't you cry
Otis is coming home to dry your weeping eyes
Hush, little darling, and don't you be blue
I'm coming home to see about you
You know I got to see my baby she's my one desire
Got to see my baby she set my little soul on fire
Got to see my baby she's everything I need
She makes me
Hush, darling, and don't you cry
I'm coming home to wipe your weeping eyes
Hush, little darling, and don't be blue
I'm coming home to see about you
I'm coming home
The lyrics of Otis Redding's "I'm Coming Home To See About You" speak of the singer's longing to see his lover again after a long absence. The song starts with Otis comforting his lover to stop her from crying, assuring her that he is on his way to be with her, and will wipe away her tears. He acknowledges that it's been a long time since they’ve seen each other, and he doesn't know what to expect, but he hopes that she is still waiting for him with her love. The chorus repeats the same comforting words, and Otis expresses how much he desires to be with his lover again.
The lyrics are simple yet heartfelt, expressing a deep sense of longing and the joy of reunion in the face of uncertainty. Otis's soulful voice adds to the emotional depth of the lyrics, making it a classic romantic ballad that strikes a chord with listeners even today.
Line by Line Meaning
Hush, darling, and don't you cry
Comforting words to soothe his lover's sadness
I'm coming home to dry your weeping eyes
Promising his physical presence to comfort and support her emotionally
Hush, little darling, and don't be blue
Encouraging his lover to remain optimistic until he arrives
I'm coming home to see about you
Reassuring his lover through words of love and reliability
You know I got to see my baby she's my one desire
Expressing his love and longing for his partner
Got to see my baby' she set my little soul on fire
Claiming that his partner brings life and vigor to him
Got to see my baby she's everything I need
Affirming the depth and completeness of his love for his partner
I'm coming home to make things right
Acknowledging that there may be unresolved issues in their relationship and his intentions to repair them
To hold you close and kiss you tight
Expressing his physical desire for his lover
To show you how much I love you
Reaffirming his profound love for his partner
And never leave you feeling blue
Promising to be a constant source of support and happiness for his lover
I'm coming home to be your guy
Emphasizing his commitment to his partner and their relationship
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: OTIS REDDING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joangabriel6718
OTIS WILL REMAIN THE KING OF SOUL.
@isabellengomen9537
J' adore Otis Redding. Quelle voix !!!
@marcusjones4588
The power of soul music RAW POWER RAW ENERGY OTIS THE MAN.
@jacquelinehubbard6702
Thank you to his family for keeping his memory alive, GENIUS is just that
@aaliasmith4228
Go otis you go
@aaliasmith4228
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@matulich77
Otis steals my heart away every time I listen to him. Very unique voice and style. He made the Blues his very own. I grew up on this good stuff. So lucky me!
@TheNeworleansgal
Been looking for this song but I couldn't think of its title! I love me some Otis🥰😘🌹😍🎶🎶🎶🎶❤
@aaliasmith4228
Go Otis go baby!!
@normadawkin3440
Otis i❤u so much ❤️