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 a Changed Man
Otis Redding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Learn how to walk
Learn how to talk
Like a baby talk
Learn how to see
See what I want
Learn how a baby
And I'm a changed man
I've been baptized
And I'm a changed man
I'm a brand new guy, yeah, yeah, yeah
Alright let me tell you, mama
You put a feeling in my soul
You make me fast that I had them holes
You did this, baby
You did that
You little girl you showed me where I was at
Now I'm a changed man
I've been baptized
And I'm a changed man
I'm a brand new guy, yeah, yeah
Alright, let me sing it
Ja, ja, ja etc.
Alright, you made a change in me, mama
Bet you're a man
Whose life is a blink
So messed up, you know
He couldn't even think
But you came along
Stopped my own going
Gave me enough love
To keep five minutes going
And I'm a changed man
I've been baptized
And I'm a changed man
I'm a brand new guy, yeah, yeah, yeah
Alright, let me sing my song know
Ja, ja, ja
You gave me love
You gave me everything
Gave me love
Brought my heart sing
You gave me pants
You gave me clothes
You gave me something to thin my holes, now
Oughta, ja, ja, ja
In the song "I'm a Changed Man" by Otis Redding, the lyrics refer to being reborn or starting anew. In the first verse, the singer discusses learning how to love, walk, talk, and see like a baby. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for starting over with a new outlook on life, going back to the basics and learning to appreciate the simple things. The second verse addresses a woman who has helped the singer change their life for the better, providing them with love and guidance.
The chorus declares that the singer has been baptized and is now a "brand new guy", emphasizing the transformation that they have undergone. The song can be seen as a testament to the power of love and the possibility of redemption.
Overall, "I'm a Changed Man" is a declaration of personal growth and a celebration of the impact that a positive influence can have on someone's life. It is a hopeful and optimistic message that encourages listeners to believe in the power of change and embrace the chance to start over.
Line by Line Meaning
Learn how to love
I need to learn how to love.
Learn how to walk
I need to learn how to take steps forward in life.
Learn how to talk
I need to learn how to communicate better with others.
Like a baby talk
I need to learn how to speak honestly and simply.
Learn how to see
I need to learn how to understand what I truly want from life.
See what I want
I want to achieve my goals and dreams.
Learn how a baby
I need to learn how infants are honest and pure.
Does and I don'ts
I need to understand what is right and wrong.
And I'm a changed man
I have undergone a transformation.
I've been baptized
I have been cleansed of my past.
I'm a brand new guy, yeah, yeah, yeah
I have been reborn and everything is new to me.
Alright let me tell you, mama
I need to express how I feel to someone who helped me.
You put a feeling in my soul
You gave me emotions that I never felt before.
You make me fast that I had them holes
You made me discover my potential and my weaknesses.
You did this, baby
You are the one who changed me.
You did that
You showed me how to be a better person.
You little girl you showed me where I was at
You made me realize where I stand in life.
Ja, ja, ja etc.
Expressing joy, happiness and gratitude.
Alright, you made a change in me, mama
You are the one who helped me transform.
Bet you're a man
Addressing someone who might be similar to me.
Whose life is a blink
Their life is passing by quickly.
So messed up, you know
They are struggling and suffering.
He couldn't even think
Their mind isn't clear and they are lost.
But you came along
Someone has come to help the person in need.
Stopped my own going
They put an end to my destructive behavior.
Gave me enough love
They provided me with love and support.
To keep five minutes going
Their love gave me hope for the future.
You gave me love
Addressing someone who provided love.
You gave me everything
They have given me all that I need.
Brought my heart sing
They have made me truly happy.
You gave me pants
They have provided me with material possessions.
You gave me clothes
They have provided me with necessities.
You gave me something to thin my holes, now
They have fulfilled my needs and made me a complete person.
Oughta, ja, ja, ja
Expressing thanks and happiness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LOUIELLA CULLIPHER, OTIS REDDING, STEPHEN LEE CROPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind