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.
My Girl
Otis Redding Lyrics
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And it's cold outside
I've got the month of May
Oh, I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
It's my girl
Talkin' 'bout my girl
I've got a sweeter song that I can sing
Than the little birds in the trees
Oh, I guess you will say
Ooh, what can make me feel this way?
It's my girl
Talkin' 'bout my girl
Ooh, ooh
Hey-hey-hey
Hey-hey-hey
Ooh, yeah
I don't need no money
All I need is my babe
I've got all the riches, baby, one big man can claim
Oh, I guess you'd say
Ooh, what can make you feel this way?
My girl
Talkin' 'bout my girl
Ooh, I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
With my girl
Even got the month of May
With my-my-my-my-my-my girl
Talkin' bout, talkin' bout, talkin' bout, ooh
Otis Redding's song "My Girl" is a romantic tribute to the singer's love interest. The opening verse sets the scene, as Otis sings about having sunshine on a cloudy day despite it being cold outside. These lyrics create a sense of romantic optimism and contentment. Otis then goes on to suggest that the root of this happiness is his girlfriend or "my girl," as he affectionately refers to her. The chorus repeats this sentiment as Otis asks what can make him feel this way, and the answer is always his girlfriend.
In the second verse, Otis proclaims the depth of his love, claiming to have so much love that even the bees are envious of him. He says that he has a sweeter song to sing than the birds in the trees. These lyrics create an image of the singer's deep commitment and the unabashed joy that his relationship brings him. Otis then repeats the chorus, reinforcing the message that his girl is the source of his joy, and nothing can compare to her.
The final verse continues to hammer home the point that Otis needs nothing but his girlfriend to be happy. He asserts that he doesn't need money because he has his love, and that love is all the wealth any man could hope to claim. The song then concludes with another chorus, highlighting the central message of the song: that Otis Redding's girl is the source of all his happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
Even when things seem gloomy and gray, I find joy and positivity in my life.
And it's cold outside
Despite harsh conditions, my heart is warm with love.
I've got the month of May
I have a sense of renewal and fresh beginnings, just like the arrival of springtime.
Oh, I guess you'd say
I'm about to tell you what makes me so happy.
What can make me feel this way?
What is the source of my happiness and contentment?
It's my girl
The woman I love is the reason for my bliss.
Talkin' 'bout my girl
I can't stop singing her praises and expressing my adoration.
I've got so much loving the bees envy me
My love for her is abundant and infectious, like nectar that bees desire.
I've got a sweeter song that I can sing
The love I have for her inspires me to create and share beautiful music.
Than the little birds in the trees
Even nature's sweetest melodies can't compare to the love song I have for her.
Ooh, what can make me feel this way?
Again, I ask myself what is the source of my unbridled happiness and emotional wealth?
It's my girl
Once more, I declare that my beloved is the reason behind my joy.
Talkin' 'bout my girl
I can't help but express my feelings for her through song and music.
Hey-hey-hey
An exclamation of pure delight, almost like a cheer or exultation.
I don't need no money
This isn't about material wealth or possessions.
All I need is my babe
All I need for happiness and fulfillment is the love of my life.
I've got all the riches, baby, one big man can claim
In my eyes, there is no greater treasure than being with my beloved.
Ooh, what can make you feel this way?
Now I ask you: What is the source of your own happiness and emotional riches?
My girl
Once again I answer the question, saying that my girl is what brings me so much joy.
Talkin' 'bout my girl
I can't help but declare my love for her to the world.
Ooh, I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
Reiterating the fact that happiness is possible even during difficult or trying times.
With my girl
Again, I attribute this joy and positivity to the woman I love.
Even got the month of May
The renewal and rebirth that comes with springtime is another source of happiness for me.
With my-my-my-my-my-my girl
Emphasizing the extent to which my girlfriend makes me feel happy and blessed.
Talkin' bout, talkin' bout, talkin' bout, ooh
Reiterating my need to express my feelings through words and music.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ronald White, William Robinson Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind