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.
Johnny
Otis Redding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you remember when we were happy?
Do you remember? Do you remember?
Do you remember when we were lucky?
We were livin' the life almost every night
I would wrap you in my thin white arms
Sit and watch the stars glide
Yeah, do you remember when we were the losers?
Do you remember when we were the lame?
Do you remember when we were the lepers?
Do you remember? Do you remember?
Do you remember when we were strung out?
Eatin' Top Ramen, macaroni and cheese
We would get so lost in that basement room
Let the Otis Redding sing us to sleep
I wish I had one more life
I don't wanna be wasted
I don't wanna live inside this daydream anymore
I just wanna be happy again
I don't wanna be wasted, I don't wanna be blind
I don't wanna be wasted
I don't wanna live inside this daydream anymore
I just wanna be happy again
I don't wanna be wasted, I don't wanna be blind
I don't wanna be wasted, I don't wanna be blind
I don't wanna be wasted, I don't wanna be blind
I wish I could be like all my heroes
I wish I could be like all yours too
I wish I could sing like Otis Redding
I wish I could play this guitar in tune
Do you remember when we were hungry?
Do you remember when we were cold?
Do you remember when we were happy in a way
No one outside could ever know?
I wish I had one more life
How I wish I had one more life to live
I don't wanna be wasted
I don't wanna live inside of this daydream anymore
I just wanna be happy again
I don't wanna be wasted, I don't wanna be blind
I don't wanna be wasted
No, I don't wanna live inside of this daydream anymore
I just wanna be happy again
I don't wanna be wasted, I don't wanna be
I don't wanna be wasted, I don't wanna be
I don't wanna be wasted, I don't wanna be blind
No, I don't wanna be blind
No, I don't wanna be blind
Do you remember when we were cold?
Do you remember when we were happy?
The lyrics of "Johnny" by Otis Redding are about looking back on a past relationship, recalling the ups and downs they went through together. The song reminisces on a time where they were happy, carefree, and in love, but also remembers the struggles they faced as a couple. Redding asks his former lover if they remember these moments, almost as if he is trying to reconnect with them and bring those feelings back to life.
The verses paint a nostalgic picture of the good old days, lost in the comfort of each other's company without a care in the world. It celebrates the experiences they shared, from being "strung out" and indulging in cheap meals to letting the music of their favorite artists lull them to sleep. However, it also acknowledges the hardships they endured as social outcasts, remembering a time when they were "losers" and "lepers" in the eyes of society.
The chorus reveals Redding's true desire - to live life to the fullest and experience happiness once again. He wishes for a second chance, to live another life where he can be like his heroes and play music to his heart's content. These lyrics are an expression of regret for lost time and a longing for a renewed sense of purpose and meaning in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you remember when we were cold?
Do you recall the time when we didn't have enough warmth in our life?
Do you remember when we were happy?
Do you recall the time when we were content, satisfied, and joyful?
Do you remember? Do you remember?
Do you still have the memory of our past experiences? Is it still vivid in your mind?
Do you remember when we were lucky?
Do you recall the moments when we were fortunate and blessed?
We were livin' the life almost every night
We enjoyed our life almost every night, every moment was filled with magic.
I would wrap you in my thin white arms
I used to hold you in my loving affectionate embrace, protecting you from harm.
Sit and watch the stars glide
We used to sit in peace under the starry sky, marveling as they twinkle their way like magic.
Yeah, do you remember when we were the losers?
Do you recall when we were unsuccessful and ostracized from society?
Do you remember when we were the lame?
Do you recall the time when we were considered dull and uninteresting?
Do you remember when we were the lepers?
Do you still remember when we were stigmatized by being outcasts?
Do you remember when we were strung out?
Do you recall when we were struggling with our addiction and substance abuse?
Eatin' Top Ramen, macaroni and cheese
We ate inexpensive food items like Top Ramen and macaroni and cheese to get by.
We would get so lost in that basement room
We found solace in spending our time in the basement room and escaping from the outside world.
Let the Otis Redding sing us to sleep
We used to listen to Otis Redding's soulful music until we fall asleep to overcome our stress and anxiety.
I wish I had one more life
I desire to have another chance at life to live to the fullest again.
I don't wanna be wasted
I don't want to ruin myself, nor do I want to spend time idly without any purpose.
I don't wanna live inside this daydream anymore
I need to wake up from my imaginary world and face reality.
I just wanna be happy again
All I want is to feel delighted and joyful again and leave my sadness behind.
I don't wanna be blind
I don't want to be ignorant or unaware of what's happening around me.
I wish I could be like all my heroes
I desire to be like my role model since they are my inspiration.
I wish I could be like all yours too
I wish to be like your idol for your inspiration and influence.
I wish I could sing like Otis Redding
I long to sing soulfully and beautifully like Otis Redding.
I wish I could play this guitar in tune
I wish to play the guitar melodiously and in-tune with my soul.
Do you remember when we were hungry?
Do you recall the struggle of going without food or going hungry for an extended period?
Do you remember when we were happy in a way
We were ecstatic and content, but no one outside of us knew how happy we were.
No one outside could ever know?
We experienced true happiness that others couldn't comprehend, so they never knew.
How I wish I had one more life to live
I wish I had another opportunity to live my life the way I want, to the fullest.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ARTHUR JR. ALEXANDER, OTIS REDDING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mavis pocorni
Almost midnight and I still dancing and singing. Good music, nice beat.
turdsniffer 96
Iv been driving my family crazy the past couple months they say I'm under the Otis spell but nothing beats this I slow dance all day with the baby I can't get off the Otis play list
staxmantim
Best voice ever w/the Memphis Horns, Steve Cropper on guitar & Al Jackson on drums!
DaMenke
+staxmantim
I second that emotion!
Erica Roane
Thanks for uploading this.... The first sentence in the description box... is my sentiments exactly!!!
DaMenke
You're welcome, Erica. And Otis will always be my A # 1.
Johnny Blue Grouse
If someone knew the chords to this song I would really appreciate them.
Calvert Price
Great song
Abdelilah Chair
really really...the most emotionnal voice of the century...if he did not dye in a crash plane...he would be the best singer...of those days....cause such voice...wake your emotions up....
thx for those songs some of which i diid know from him....
May GOD bless you all.
DaMenke
You are so right--Otis is the most emotional voice of the last century. And his body of work is phenomenal, considering his early death.