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.
These Arms of Mine
Otis Redding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lonely and feeling blue
These arms of mine, they are yearning
Yearning from wanting you
And if you would let them hold you
Oh, how grateful I will be
These arms of mine, they are burning
Burning from wanting you
These arms of mine, they are wanting
Wanting to hold you
And if you would let them hold you
Oh, how grateful I will be
Come on, come on, baby
Just be my little woman
Just be my lover, oh
I need me somebody, somebody to treat me right, oh
I need your arms, loving arms to hold me tight
And I, I, I need, I need your, I need your, tender lips, to hold, hold me
Tell me when I'm right now, baby
The lyrics to Otis Redding's song "These Arms of Mine" convey a sense of loneliness and yearning for someone to love and hold. The singer explains that his arms ache to hold and embrace his love interest, and describes the intensity of his longing in phrases like "burning from wanting you." Through his lyrics, Otis Redding conveys a sense of desperation for companionship, and his soulful voice carries the emotion of heartache and hope.
The song's refrain, "Come on, come on, baby, just be my little woman, just be my lover," expresses the singer's need for a partner who can provide him with the love and affection he craves. He talks about needing someone to treat him right, and the softness of "tender lips" to "hold" him. Altogether, "These Arms of Mine" is a beautiful testament to the universal human need for companionship and love.
Line by Line Meaning
These arms of mine, they are lonely
My arms are empty and I am sad without you.
Lonely and feeling blue
My loneliness makes me feel sad and down.
These arms of mine, they are yearning
I long for you and want to hold you close.
Yearning from wanting you
My desire for you is strong and intense.
And if you would let them hold you
If you would allow me to hold you, it would mean everything to me.
Oh, how grateful I will be
I would be so thankful and appreciative.
These arms of mine, they are burning
My passion for you is so strong that it makes me feel like I am on fire.
Burning from wanting you
My desire for you is so strong that it consumes me.
These arms of mine, they are wanting
My arms ache to hold you.
Wanting to hold you
I want to hold you close and never let go.
Come on, come on, baby
Please come to me, my love.
Just be my little woman
Be my partner and lover.
Just be my lover, oh
All I want is to be close to you and love you.
I need me somebody, somebody to treat me right, oh
I am looking for someone who will treat me well and love me.
I need your arms, loving arms to hold me tight
I need you to hold me close and love me.
And I, I, I need, I need your, I need your, tender lips, to hold, hold me
I need your gentle kiss to make me feel loved and comforted.
Tell me when I'm right now, baby
Please reassure me that I am doing things right and making you happy.
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Otis Redding
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@allyssonviniciusbenevidesm7511
These arms of mine, they are lonely
Lonely and feeling blue
These arms of mine, they are yearning
Yearning from wanting you
And if you would let them hold you
Oh, how grateful I will be
These arms of mine, they are burning
Burning from wanting you
These arms of mine, they are wanting
Wanting to hold you
And if you would let them hold you
Oh how grateful I will be
Come on, come on baby
Just be my little woman
Just be my lover, oh
I need me somebody, somebody to treat me right, oh
I need your arms, loving arms to hold me tight
And I, I, I need your, I need your tender lips, to hold me
Together when I'm right with you
@martinmichaelmonz2717
Otis Redding's music has a special place in my heart, as it is deeply connected to my parents' love bond for me and my memories of my late father. Growing up, my parents often played his songs on our car journeys, and as a result, his music has become intertwined with my cherished memories of our time spent together.
Whenever I hear Otis Redding's soulful voice, I am instantly transported back to those car rides and feel the warmth of my parents' love enveloping me. The emotional depth and passion of his music are a reflection of the love and care that my parents have always shown me.
However, the connection between Otis Redding's music and my parents' love for me goes beyond just memories. His music speaks to the universal themes of love, loss, and hope, which are at the core of the bond between parents and their children.
Sadly, my father has passed away, but his love for Otis Redding's music lives on through me. Whenever I listen to his songs, I feel a deep connection to my father and a sense of comfort in knowing that his love for me endures.
In many ways, Otis Redding's music has become a symbol of my parents' love bond for me and a way to keep my father's memory alive. It reminds me that even though he is no longer with me, his love and influence continue to shape who I am today.
@papaldanondo
" Estos brazos míos "
Estos brazos míos
Están solitarios, solitarios
y se sienten tristes
Estos brazos míos, están anhelando
Anhelando querer abrazarte.
Y si tu los dejaras que te abrazasen
Oh, que agradecido estaría.
Estos brazos míos
Se están quemando,
quemando por tenerte
Estos brazos míos
Están queriendo, quieren abrazarte.
Y si tu los dejaras que te abrazasen
Oh, que agradecido estaría.
Vamos, vamos nena
Sólo sé mi mujercita,
simplemente se mi amor
Yo solo, necesito a alguien ...
a alguien que me trate bien.
Necesito tus cálidos brazos
Tus amorosos brazos
Para que me abracen fuertemente
Y necesito, necesito tus labios tiernos
También abrázame ... abrázame.
@Mr1gladiatore
I discovered this song after I knew I was going to lose my wife of 38 years to cancer. That was 6 years ago and these arms of mine still long to hold her. She's in the Lord's arms now.
@godscop-cj2mt
My condolences, I'm glad this amazing song gives you some comfort
@3rr0r47
My parents used to listen to this song like every single day. It was a huge part of my childhood. I'm 30 now and my mom has been passed away for years now. She's been on my mind and heart a lot lately. I had no idea there would be a video for this. iT's as beautiful as the song. I miss you, mom.
@angholloway5091
Sorry to hear that she's in heaven though!!!
@waydebrooks8056
As a singer, Otis puts the pain he is feeling over so well with the vocals. Some singers just get it. He sure did. That is why he's a legend.
@nicidevine6670
For sure
@jonnyag
This was my mum and dad's song for their first dance at their wedding, Sitting on the Dock of the Day was played at my dad's funeral, Otis Redding means an awful lot to our family, I make sure I listen to his songs every week or so just to carry on my dad's legacy, thank you, Mr Redding, for the memories.
@rebeccaberry4764
I can't get enough of Otis Music. Gone way to soon. Love you Otis Redding!!!
@robertjackson2540
I was cooking in a greasy spoon restaurant it was empty that night about 2 in the morning a couple was sitting in a booth eating and the waitress I was working with that night played this on the jukebox without realizing I was singing this song to the best of my ability and I DONT sing in public the look on the face of that waitress when I started dancing with her was of pure shock the next thing I know it's 28 years later and we are married with three kids and a grandbaby on the way. thank you Otis Redding I found my beautiful wife because of you and my oldest is named Otis in honor of the man who helped me find my love. and yes I still sing this song to her the best one was at our 25th anniversary I made my son cry when I sang it because he said that he could truly feel the love I will always have for his mother
@vegger2795
Beautiful!