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 Can't Turn You Loose
Otis Redding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I do, I'm gonna lose my life
Honey, I can't ever turn you loose now
If I do, I'm gonna lose my life
I can't turn you loose to nobody, ha
'Cause I love you baby, yes I do now
Ooh, baby hip-shaking mama, I told ya
Honey, I'm in love with only you
I'm gonna give you everything that you wanna
I gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
Keep on, honey baby
Never, never gonna turn you loose
Keep on, keep on holding on
Gotta gotta
I can't turn you loose ah honey
I'm in love, now, with the prettiest thing, ooh
I, I never, never turn you loose now
But because the sweet love she bring me
I said I can't turn you loose to nobody, baby
I love you baby, yes I do
Ooh, hip-shaking mama, I love ya
Huh, I'm in love with only you
Honey, baby, do it baby why don't ya
And I'm gonna give you everything that you want
Gotta, gotta ha
Keep, keep on holding on ha ha
Never gonna turn you loose now
Never gonna lose you, babe, ha ha
I can't turn you loose
Never, I'm never gonna turn to you loose
I'm gonna keep holding on, turn you loose
Gonna keep a grip on ya
I, I can't turn you loose
Early in the morning, I gonna hold ya
Early in the evening, and I'm gonna hold ya
Never turn you loose
Never gonna turn ya
Gotta keep a hold on
Hold on to my baby
Got to, got to, got to
Got to, got to, got to
Keep-a, keep on grooving
We gotta keep a hold on
The lyrics of Otis Redding's song "I Can't Turn You Loose" depict the deep love the singer has for someone, to the point where he declares that he cannot let them go, for he will lose his life. The song's repetition of the phrase, "I can't turn you loose," is used to emphasize the singer's inability to let go. The lyrics of the song convey a message of love, passion, and commitment. The singer describes his beloved as the "prettiest thing" and vows to give her everything she wants.
The song's chorus, "Never gonna turn you loose," is a statement of loyalty and dedication, and the repetition of the phrase reinforces that message. Additionally, the phrase "Hip-shaking mama" is used as a term of endearment by the singer towards his beloved.
"I Can't Turn You Loose" was first recorded by Otis Redding in 1965 and was released as a single. The song became a hit in the United States, reaching number eleven on the R&B charts. The song has been performed by numerous artists, including Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and the Blues Brothers.
Line by Line Meaning
Huh, I can't turn you loose now
I can't let you go
If I do, I'm gonna lose my life
I'll be devastated if I let you go
Honey, I can't ever turn you loose now
I can't bear to let you go
If I do, I'm gonna lose my life
My life will become empty without you
I can't turn you loose to nobody, ha
I can't let anyone else have you
'Cause I love you baby, yes I do now
I love you so much
Ooh, baby hip-shaking mama, I told ya
You're my irresistible baby
Honey, I'm in love with only you
You're the only one I love
Honey, baby, do it baby why don't ya?
Do something, baby
I'm gonna give you everything that you wanna
I'll provide everything you desire
Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
I have to, I have to, I have to
Keep on, honey baby
Hold on, my beloved
Never, never gonna turn you loose
I'll never let you go
Keep on, keep on holding on
Hold on, keep holding on
Gotta gotta
I have to, I have to
I can't turn you loose ah honey
I can't let you go, my dear
I'm in love, now, with the prettiest thing, ooh
I'm in love with the most beautiful one
I, I never, never turn you loose now
I'll never let you go
But because the sweet love she bring me
Because of your sweet love for me
I said I can't turn you loose to nobody, baby
I won't let anyone take you away from me
I love you baby, yes I do
I love you so much
Ooh, hip-shaking mama, I love ya
I love you, my irresistible baby
Huh, I'm in love with only you
You're the only one I love
Honey, baby, do it baby why don't ya
Do something, my dear
And I'm gonna give you everything that you want
I'll provide everything you want
Gotta, gotta ha
I have to, I have to
Keep, keep on holding on ha ha
Hold on, keep holding on
Never gonna turn you loose now
I'll never let you go
Never gonna lose you, babe, ha ha
I'll never lose you, my dear
I can't turn you loose
I can't let you go
Never, I'm never gonna turn to you loose
I'll never let you go
I'm gonna keep holding on, turn you loose
I'll keep holding on, won't let you go
Gonna keep a grip on ya
I'll hold onto you
I, I can't turn you loose
I can't let you go
Early in the morning, I gonna hold ya
I'll hold you in the morning
Early in the evening, and I'm gonna hold ya
I'll hold you in the evening
Never turn you loose
I'll never let you go
Never gonna turn ya
I'll never let you go
Gotta keep a hold on
I need to keep holding on
Hold on to my baby
I will hold onto you, my love
Got to, got to, got to
I have to, I have to, I have to
Got to, got to, got to
I have to, I have to, I have to
Keep-a, keep on grooving
Keep on moving forward
We gotta keep a hold on
We need to hold onto each other
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Otis Redding
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Robinson
Without a visual/performance Otis is the best that ever did it. And what I mean by that is, you had to see James and Michael perform to really appreciate them, with Otis you can feel his passion through the stereo speakers. Bad Man!!! Never used background singers. Amazing!!!!
Phil Paule
50 years ago today this great voice was silenced ---December 10th 1967
Savvynlady
Phil Paule Yes, I remembered him on my FB page
Sandra M
miss this man and his energy!
Dee G
Simply the greatest singer. Such soul, passion, positivity and grooves for days
Daniel Olson
Otis was Mr 100 % always put all of his heart into every show and recording. A true force of nature.
Sandra M
WILL ALWAYS MISS THIS MAN!!
Augustus Flaccus
Otis' electrifying!!!!
Savvynlady
Augustus Flaccus Very
sonnyblack71
Otis was a force of nature!!!