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.
Stay In School
Otis Redding Lyrics
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I was just standing here thinking about you
Thought I'd write a song about you
And dedicate it to you
Take a listen
If you didn't go back to school this year
Your really not groovy
It's just don't moving
But did you ever think about how square you look standing
In an employment line because school didn't empty you
You really ought to think about it
Without an education you could only be a tramp
Grow 'grain' shoes, no haircut, just plain ole country
Don't worry 'bout the fellows gonna calling you green
Because your heading no future condition
You really ought to think about it
And further motto than that Otis Redding saved you very wise
Because you'll be at the top
When they get that and if they make it
When they get that and if they make it
When they get that and if they make it
You really ought to think about it
Think about it
Really ought to think about it
In Otis Redding's song Stay in School, the singer urges his audience to stay in school and get an education in order to lead a successful life. He points out that those who don't go back to school this year are not groovy and that the coolness factor doesn't outweigh the importance of education. Otis goes further to say that without an education, one could end up jobless and looking square in an employment line. The consequences of not getting an education are severe and can result in living in impoverished conditions. Otis points out that getting an education is crucial for one to have a fruitful life, and without it, one's future is bleak.
The song Stay in School is a message aimed at the youth who may be contemplating dropping out of school. Otis Redding successfully delivers the message that education is paramount to a successful life. He knows that the decisions young people make today will have significant consequences in their future. His message may not be one that the youth of the time wanted to hear, but it was a message that they needed to hear. Although it's been many years since the release of this song, the message is still relevant today, and it still resonates with people.
Line by Line Meaning
If you didn't go back to school this year
If you didn't continue with your education this year
Your really not groovy
You're not cool or fashionable
Maybe you feel that school is a drag
Perhaps you find school boring or uninteresting
It's just don't moving
It's just not exciting or stimulating enough
But did you ever think about how square you look standing
Have you ever considered how uncool or out of touch you may appear
In an employment line because school didn't empty you
At a job interview because you didn't finish school and lack qualifications
You really ought to think about it
It's important for you to consider this
Without an education you could only be a tramp
Without finishing your education, you may only end up homeless or jobless
Grow 'grain' shoes, no haircut, just plain ole country
Wearing cheap, unfashionable clothes and lacking basic grooming
Don't worry 'bout the fellows gonna calling you green
Don't worry about being called inexperienced or uneducated by others
Because your heading no future condition
Because you're headed towards a future without prospects or opportunities
And further motto than that Otis Redding saved you very wise
Moreover, Otis Redding is sharing valuable advice with you
You really ought to think about it
You should seriously consider the importance of education
When they get that and if they make it
When they succeed and achieve their goals
When they get that and if they make it
When they succeed and achieve their goals
When they get that and if they make it
When they succeed and achieve their goals
You really ought to think about it
It's crucial for you to consider this
Think about it
Give it some serious thought and consideration
Really ought to think about it
It's truly important for you to contemplate this
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: OTIS REDDING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind