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.
Sitting On The Dock Of The Ba
Otis Redding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be sitting when the evening comes
Watching the ships roll in
And I watch 'em roll away again
Sitting on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
I'm just sitting on the dock of the bay
I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the 'Frisco bay
'Cause I had nothin to live for
And look like nothing's gonna come my way
So I'm just
Look like nothing's gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I'll remain the same
Sittin' here resting my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone
It's two thousand miles I roamed
Just to make this dock my home
Now, I'm just
sitting on the dock of the bay, wasting time.
Otis Redding's "Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay" is a melancholic ballad that speaks to the realities of life, loneliness, and the search for a sense of belonging. Through the lyrics, the singer paints a vivid picture of himself, sitting on a dock in San Francisco Bay, watching the world pass him by. He is waiting for something, anything to come his way, but he is resigned to the fact that nothing might change. He is not in a hurry to get anywhere or do anything; he is content to just sit and watch life go by.
The song is a reflection of the state of mind of many people in the 1960s, a time when America was going through significant social and political changes. It speaks to the deep-seated loneliness, the feeling of displacement, and the search for a sense of identity that many people were grappling with. The singer is looking for meaning and purpose, but he is also aware that he might not find it.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting in the morning sun
I am currently seated at the dock of the bay, basking in the warm early morning sunlight.
I'll be sitting when the evening comes
I plan to remain here until the evening arrives, continuing to observe the scenery and pass the time.
Watching the ships roll in
As I sit on the dock, I am observing the large boats and ships coming into the bay.
And I watch 'em roll away again
As the ships come into the bay, I also see them depart and continue on their journeys.
Watching the tide roll away
In addition to the boats and ships, I am also taking note of the movement of the ocean's tide.
I'm just sitting on the dock of the bay
My current location and activity is simply sitting on the dock of the bay, observing my surroundings.
Wasting time
Although I may appear to be doing nothing, I am passing the time without a particular purpose or plan.
I left my home in Georgia
I departed from my home in Georgia to travel to the city of San Francisco.
Headed for the 'Frisco bay
My destination is the bay near San Francisco, where I am currently situated.
'Cause I had nothin to live for
I made this journey without any clear direction or purpose and felt lost in life.
And look like nothing's gonna come my way
I have not had any luck or success in my travels or personal life so far.
Look like nothing's gonna change
I have a sense of hopelessness and feel as though my circumstances are unlikely to improve.
Everything still remains the same
Despite my best efforts, everything in my life and surroundings remains static and unchanging.
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
I am an independent person who cannot be easily swayed by the opinions or instructions of others.
So I guess I'll remain the same
As a result of my independence, I am resigned to maintaining my current personality and lifestyle.
Sittin' here resting my bones
I am physically tired and am taking a break from any strenuous activity by sitting on the dock.
And this loneliness won't leave me alone
Despite my surroundings, I still feel a sense of isolation and solitude which cannot be shaken.
It's two thousand miles I roamed
I have traveled a great distance of two thousand miles to reach my current location.
Just to make this dock my home
Despite the hardships and lack of progress, I have grown attached to this dock and consider it a temporary home.
Now, I'm just
Currently, my activity and focus remain to simply sit and observe the events of the day unfold around me.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVE CROPPER, OTIS REDDING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@classicalmusic1175
This song was finished up in the studio just 3 days before Redding was killed in a plane crash. What a parting gift from the king of soul.
@timtime9167
That's why the last verse is whistling he was supposed to come back and add a verse.
@beaconlight4720
Overrated
@timtime9167
@@beaconlight4720 that's your perspective.
@TF58582
Dudes a legend👏🏼
@SassaFrass28
Yes - a parting gift from Otis after his shocking death - so melancholy yet so much strength & determination despite all
@iLLDREWMUSiC
My grandma use to play this song growing up... I remember waking up on Saturday mornings .. smelling good food being made & this song on full blast... Its 2018 now and she has dementia and doesn't even remember me....but soon as I play this song I remember the good times... I love you grandma....Thank you for all the knowledge you gave me.
@michellebeverley4388
Play this song for her. Music is very therapeutic for people with dementia.
@122biggscott
Heard people with dementia might recognize old songs. You should try playing it for her
@jeffjefferson218
please give her a kiss from me and tell her I love her...