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.
That's a Good Idea
Otis Redding Lyrics
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You make me feel like I'm a natural man
You tell me when you want to come and go
Make me say I want a little bit more, listen
What you want
How you want
When you want
That's a good idea
Yes it is, babe
It's a good idea
Let me tell you somethin', now
You make me spend my money
That's a fact yes it is now, huh
You little girl you show me where I'm at
Yes you do mama now
Won't you kick of your shoe little mama
Throw 'em on the floor now baby
Kick off your shoe little honey
Throw 'em on your daddy's table
Cause
What you want
How you want
When you want
Every time you want it
That's a good idea
Yes it is, babe
Real groovy idea
Let me tell you, huh, huh, huh
You just pretty as a movie star
So sweet as a chocolate candy bar
Let me tell you somethin'
Won't you kick of your shoe little mama
Throw 'em on the floor now baby
Kick off your shoe little honey
Throw 'em on your daddy's table
Cause
What you want
How you want
When you want
Every time you want it
It's a good idea
Yes it is, babe
Real groovy idea
If you wanna go to the movie
It's a good idea
Downtown, shoppin'
It's a good idea
If you wanna go to the drugstore
It's a groovy idea
If you wanna make love
"That's a Good Idea" is a fun and upbeat love song by Otis Redding. The first verse and chorus express how the woman he loves makes him feel happy and alive, "You make me wanna just dance and sing...You make me feel like I'm a natural man". He is willing to do whatever she wants because she is so perfect to him, "What you want, how you want, when you want, every time you want it, that's a good idea, real groovy idea". The second verse illustrates examples of how she makes him spend his money and how he doesn't care because he loves her, "You little girl you show me where I'm at... won't you kick off your shoe little mama, throw 'em on the floor now baby". The chorus ties the song together, conveying the idea that no matter what she wants, when she wants it, and how she wants it, it's a good idea because he loves her.
The lyrics paint a picture of a care-free love story where Otis Redding's character is head over heels in love with the woman he is singing to. His simple "yes it is, babe" responses to her ideas signal his willingness to do whatever it takes to make her happy. The song is upbeat and celebratory, bringing attention to the fact that some of the most meaningful moments in relationships can also be the silliest or most spontaneous.
Line by Line Meaning
You make me wanna just dance and sing
You bring joy and happiness to my life and make me want to express it through dancing and singing
You make me feel like I'm a natural man
You make me feel confident and comfortable in my own skin, as a man
You tell me when you want to come and go
You communicate clearly with me about your schedule and plans
Make me say I want a little bit more, listen
You inspire me to want more out of life, to strive for more and be better
What you want
What specific thing do you want?
How you want
What kind of way do you want it done?
When you want
What specific time do you want it?
Every time you want it
No matter how often or infrequently, you always want this thing
That's a good idea
Your desire or plan is acceptable and agreeable to me
Yes it is, babe
I am enthusiastic and supportive of your idea, my dear
It's a good idea
Once again, I agree with and approve of your suggestion
You make me spend my money
You influence me to use my finances on you or things that make us happy
That's a fact yes it is now, huh
It's true, without a doubt, that you have an impact on my spending
You little girl you show me where I'm at
You guide me or give me direction in life, like a helpful little girl
Yes you do mama now
Indeed, you do help and support me, my love
Won't you kick of your shoe little mama
Can you please take off your shoes, my dear?
Throw 'em on the floor now baby
Drop them on the floor now, my love
Kick off your shoe little honey
Take off your shoes, my dear
Throw 'em on your daddy's table
Place them on your father's table
Real groovy idea
That's a very cool and exciting suggestion, my dear
You just pretty as a movie star
You're as beautiful as a famous movie star
So sweet as a chocolate candy bar
You're as lovely and delicious as a chocolate candy bar
If you wanna go to the movie
If you have a desire to see a film
Downtown, shoppin'
Going to the city center to shop or do other things
It's a groovy idea
That's a fun and interesting plan
If you wanna make love
If you have a desire to be intimate
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: OTIS REDDING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind