Otis Ray Redding Jr. (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) was an America… Read Full Bio ↴Otis Ray Redding Jr. (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger, and talent scout. He is considered one of the greatest singers in the history of American popular music and a seminal artist in soul music and rhythm and blues. Redding's style of singing gained inspiration from the gospel music that preceded the genre. His singing style influenced many other soul artists of the 1960s. During his lifetime, his recordings were produced by Stax Records, based in Memphis, Tennessee.

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.

Let Me Be Good to You
Otis Redding Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Baby, let me be good to you
I'll do anything you want me to
Your love has brought me around
Every time I was feeling down
But I'm so glad you give me everything I got
Baby, let me be good to you
Now sit in your easy chair
What you wantâ??I'll bring it there

Even good can be better
Here's my love on a silver platter
Take it all
Baby, let me be good to you
Here it isâ??take it all
And don't be shy
You need your alibi
I want to do it
Baby, let me be good to you
Here it is, girl
I just want you to just take me all
Don't want you to be shy, Carla
You don't need no alibi

Baby, let me be good to you
Baby, let meâ?¦I want to be good to you

Overall Meaning

In Otis Redding's "Let Me Be Good to You," the song's narrator pleads with his love interest to allow him to take care of her. He promises to cater to her every desire and provide her with all of his love, thanking her for bringing him out of his emotional lows. The song features Redding's signature soulful style and powerful voice, which convey an intensity of emotion and a strong commitment to his partner.

The track is a perfect example of Redding's musical style and his ability to create lyrics that are both poetic and accessible. It incorporates a classic soul sound that is characterized by a driving beat, tight horn arrangements, and Redding's distinctive vocal style. The song is a testament to the singer's ability to mine deep emotions and translate them into music that is both timeless and immediate.

One interesting fact about "Let Me Be Good to You" is that it was originally recorded by another legendary soul singer, Sam Cooke. Cooke penned the song, which was later covered by Redding and reinterpreted in his own style. Additionally, "Let Me Be Good to You" features backup vocals from a bevy of talented singers, including Aretha Franklin and Carolyn Franklin.

Line by Line Meaning

Baby, let me be good to you
I want to treat you with kindness and show you how much I care

I'll do anything you want me to
I am willing to go above and beyond to fulfill your desires and needs

Your love has brought me around
Your affection has lifted me out of a place of sadness or despair

Every time I was feeling down
Whenever I was feeling low or upset

But I'm so glad you give me everything I got
I am grateful for all that you provide me with

Now sit in your easy chair
Relax and take a comfortable seat

What you want-I'll bring it there
I will fetch whatever you desire

Even good can be better
Although things are already good, there is always room for improvement

Here's my love on a silver platter
I am offering my affection and devotion to you on a platter, in a symbolic sense

Take it all
Accept everything that I have to offer

And don't be shy
Do not hesitate or feel embarrassed

You need your alibi
You do not need to make excuses or explain yourself

I want to do it
I am eager and willing to please you

Here it is, girl
What I am offering is here, for you to take

I just want you to just take me all
I want you to accept my love and all that I have to offer

Don't want you to be shy, Carla
I do not want you to feel hesitant or self-conscious about accepting my affection, Carla being the person Redding is addressing the song to

You don't need no alibi
You do not need to make excuses or justify your actions

Baby, let me be good to you
Overall, I want to treat you with kindness and show you how much I care

I want to be good to you
I am motivated and committed to treating you with kindness and love

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LEWIS CARL WELLS, DAVE (USA 1) PORTER, ISAAC HAYES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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