The song was ranked number four on Billboard’s year-end Hot 100 chart, going on to win two Grammy awards in 1968. the wake of the murder of civil rights’ leader Martin Luther King, Jr. Otis “didn’t really write about himself”, The rest of it was penned by Steve Cropper, a guitarist who was 'Dock of the Bay' was exactly that: 'I left my home in Georgia, headed for the Frisco Bay' was all about him going out to San Francisco to perform." This classic earned Otis Redding a posthumous Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Performance and both he and Steve Cropper a Grammy for Best Rhythm & Blues Song. However, I see it more as a song about weariness, futility--and hope. It There a three different levels of charts. However, Redding added this part only because he forgot the actual lyrics he intended to use in that section. Inside Otis Redding S Sittin On The Dock Of Bay Rolling Stone. But Redding's life was cut tragically short when his plane went down in December 1967. In other words, as lonely as it may be, he seems, at least to some extent, to have made a conscientious decision to seclude himself on the docks. Yeah.” Oh, wait. Hill, both of which were based on the aforementioned conflict. also featured in American movies such as 1986’s Platoon and 1987’s Hamburger Accordingly, it has been featured in the book We ... Sittin On The Dock Of Bay By Otis Redding Song Meanings … All Rights Reserved. View newplainsreview’s profile on Facebook, View newplainsreview’s profile on Twitter, View newplainsstudentpublishing’s profile on Instagram, The Woman Behind the Journal, Interview with Shay Rahm, Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide (Revised), Sherman Chaddlesone Arts & Letters Lecture Series. Copyright © 2021 New Plains Student Publishing. and as such he was the one who usually handled the task of writing lyrics about Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay. Headed for the Frisco Bay. Despite the singer’s uninterested outlook on life, this song is not generally interpreted to be as bleak as the lyrics suggest. This week in New York, it will be celebrated at the Apollo. 1 user explained Dock Of The Bay meaning. Comment and share your favourite lyrics. Find more of Otis Redding lyrics. While discussing the song with his wife, Redding stated that was looking to "be a little different", and "change his style". She continued, “He traveled two-thousand miles from home just to make the dock his home.” “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of The Bay” was one of the last songs Redding wrote before his tragic death in 1967. newplainsreview@gmail.com | uco.edu. I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay. Many have dubbed the outro to this song as “perhaps the most famous whistling in music history”. "Sitting On The Dock Of … Watchin' the tide roll away, ooh. About “ (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” One of Redding’s most famous songs, this was recorded shortly before he and most of his band were killed in a plane crash. The persona of the song wanted to get away from something (possibly bigotry) and/or had to start over. He left behind an unfinished song. He was only 26 years old. “Dock of the Bay” was based on a few thoughts and lines Redding came up with during some time he spent sitting and watching the ocean in California. Original lyrics of Dock Of The Bay song by Otis Redding. Your email address will not be published. In terms of chords and melody, Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay is more complex than the typical song, having above average scores in Chord Complexity, Melodic Complexity, Chord-Melody Tension and Chord Progression Novelty. The song was released just weeks after he was buried in Georgia, so it was widely heard as his epitaph. Watch official video, print or download text in PDF. “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” sold over one million units and was Redding’s first number one single on Billboard Magazine’s pop chart. Watch the official video for (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay by Otis Redding. Also known as the “The King of Soul,” he is remembered mostly because of his powerful voice, soulful lyrics, and who he inspired. English Department, College of Liberal Arts, University of Central Oklahoma A day has passed, he is sitting on the dock of the bay, tired and sad but still hopeful for the next day. Specifically, for “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” Cropper & Redding threw the Frisco Bay reference in the second verse to reinforce geography and probably give it a little ism. The Dock of the Bay Sessions is hardly essential for loyal Otis Redding fans, but as a compact summation of his final recordings, it's a fine collection that flows with the coherence of a "real" LP, and if you're looking for an album with "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," this is a good way to go. A day has passed, he is sitting on the dock of the bay, tired and sad but still hopeful for the next day. "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" got its start on a houseboat docked in Sausalito, Marin County, on the San Francisco Bay. So, I'm just gon' sit on the dock of the bay. In fact Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) has accredited “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” with being “the sixth-most performed song of the 20th century”, despite the fact that the artist behind it never had a chance to do so live. General CommentI believe this song is about being comfortable about where you are in your life at any given moment. Sons of Anarchy – (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay This popular show was almost always known to use older, more dated music to give a more authentic and original feel to each episode. 405-974-5554 | Otis Redding finished recording " (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" just days before the plane crash that took his life. U)` QÙë!êˆšÔ ‘²pþþ:ppýôlÇõ|ÿ•M¿³©šÃý¹=±PÒ‹Z‹µ ‘`Œc¾ (°ÿf»T Ô€ ! There are some noticeable influences The Beatles had in this song when comparing to Redding’s former music. Indeed this now-iconic whistling was more or less a placeholder, as in if Redding had actually survived to rework the song it is postulated that it would have been removed. It should be noted that Redding’s composition In May, Rhino Records will release a new collection of recordings from the “Dock of the Bay” sessions. Vietnam War strongly-identified with this song due However, I see it more as a song about weariness, futility--and hope. At the time of his death, Redding still didn’t feel like the song was finished. In fact Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) has accredited “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” with being “the sixth-most performed song of the 20thcentury”, despite the fact that the artist behind it never had a chance to do so live. employed, like Redding, by Stax Records. Updated May 9, 2019. A year and some change later (and exactly 48 years ago today), his seminal hit “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” was released. This song is credited with further influencing the soul movement by combining R&B and folk. Song Analysis of "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" Sittin' in the morning sun I'll be sittin' when the evening comes Watching the ships roll in Then I watch them roll away again, yeah I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay Watchin' the tide roll The song also won two Grammys in 1968. facing. Powered by  - Designed with the Hueman theme, Against the Current’s “Weapon” Lyrics Meaning, “one of the hardest things (he) ever had to do”, “perhaps the most famous whistling in music history”, Otis Redding recorded “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” just three days before he, Moreover Steve Cropper, who co-wrote the track, says that the experience of being forced to complete it freshly in the wake of Redding’s death was. Redding did not only influence the masses, he influenced many famous musicians. In the process of doing so, Cropper and co. brought forth what turned out to be the first song by a deceased artist to top the Billboard Hot 100. Logically a song of this magnitude has been covered by a number of artists. Redding wrote it after being influenced by The Beatles’ Sgt. He was unable to finish writing the last verse though, as he passed away just four days after recording began. Some artists that Otis Redding have inspired or have covered his songs include The Grateful Dead, The Doors, Willie Nelson, Al Green, Pearl Jam, Etta James, Rod Stewart, and Kanye West. In many ways, it is still inextricable from his tragic death. The package comes with a form chart and three transcriptions of the song. You can listen to it the way Dustin from Tampa does, or as a protest song. The latter produced it. "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" is a song co-written by soul singer Otis Redding and guitarist Steve Cropper. Due to this classic being composed by both I got this one: San Franciscans. Black and White artists, it proved to be a symbol of racial unity in I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay. Indeed while their, his time is preoccupied with lazily watching boats come and go. This is further illustrated in the bridge where Otis states that in light of ‘10 people telling him what to do’, he opts to “remain the same”. His co-writer Steve Cropper decided to fill in the last verse with Redding’s whistling. The Story Behind The Song: Otis Redding's tragic hit ' (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay'. Like Sgt. Beatles and that fact that Redding was evolving artistically in general due to recent Otis Redding Sitting On The Dock Of Bay Meaning About Photos Mtgimage. This song is more introspective and discusses an inner battle as opposed to having problems with a significant other. When the labels who employed Redding first heard “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”, Otis Redding’s son, Otis Redding III, performed “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” at the inauguration of the Brannan Street Wharf in San Francisco on 17 July 2013. The record label eventually included it on Redding’s posthumous album of the same name, The Dock of the Bay. He listened to the album during a week he spent at a houseboat in California while performing at San Francisco’s Fillmore West Theater in 1967. the sound of ocean waves and seagulls and giving the song its striking sense of solitude and reflection. In fact the whole song would have likely sounded differently had Redding lived to work on it further. In fact his pessimism extends beyond simple boredom, as he left his home in Georgia since he felt he “had nothing to live for”. The song quickly rose to No. It reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart. of this track was inspired by an attempt by the artist to sound more like The As such, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” also proved the be the signature song of Redding’s career, as it has sold in excess of four-million copies. Even if Redding had a seemingly-short career, his sound will carry on for many generations. Kmart The Pines Opening Hours, Sittin' here resting my bones And this loneliness won't leave me alone, listen Two thousand miles I roam Just to make this dock my home, now I'm just gon' sit at the dock of a bay Watchin' the tide roll away, ooh Sittin' on the dock of the bay Wastin' time. Although it could be thought of as a song he wrote in a moment of happiness and peace, my impression was more pointed towards defeat. I mean, seriously, who the Hell would sing: “Headed for the San Francisco Bay. After the Monterey Pop Festival, Redding remained in California and spent more than a month playing shows in San Francisco, including a concert at the Fillmore West. It was originally released on 8 January 1968. Tags: Atlantic RecordsOtis ReddingStax Records. The persona of the song wanted to get away from something (possibly bigotry) and/or had to start over. Indeed Cropper claims that You can listen to it the way Dustin from Tampa does, or as a protest song. Yet now “two thousand miles” away, situated in what is likely a completely-different environment on “the ‘Frisco bay”, Redding still finds himself with a “loneliness (that) won’t leave (him) alone”. Wastin' time. In fact they were inspired by his stay in a boathouse in Sausalito, California. this classic. Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” became a hit after his 1967 death. He can't just be a follower anymore, instead he does what he wants to do - … Song Meanings and Facts © 2021. Cuz I've had nothing to live for. Level one has the beat breakdown and the form of the song. ‘ (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’ is one of the definitive Otis Redding songs. Otis Redding only wrote the first verse of Although it could be thought of as a song he wrote in a moment of happiness and peace, my … The song I chose to analyze lyrically is “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of a Bay.” The reason I chose this song is that it is unlike his many romantic and love-centered tracks. But for the sake of history, the most-notable cover is perhaps Michael Bolton’s, as not only did his rendition help launch his career, but it is also the favorite version of Zelma Redding’s, Otis Redding’s widow. New Plains Student Publishing, 100 N University Drive, Box 184, Edmond, Oklahoma 73034 Before learning this, I thought the whistling was intentional and fit perfectly, representing how the meaning of a song could be understood without words being spoken. It was recorded by Redding twice in 1967, including once just days before his death in a plane crash. But for the sake of history, the most-notable cover is perhaps Michael Bolton’s, as not only did his rendition help launch … Logically a song of this magnitude has been covered by a number of artists. Additionally it has been placed on Rolling Stone’s. Additional popular media this classic found its way onto is the 1986 Tom Cruise film Top Gun. In fact the famous whistling outro suggests more of an indifferent feel than one of all-encompassing hopelessness. Moreover the lyrics of the song are actually engraved. American soldiers who participated in the And look like nothing's gonna come my way. The song was released on Stax Records' Volt label in 1968, becoming the first posthumous single to top the charts in the US. Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons! I left my home in Georgia. Otis Redding has been noted as one of the greatest soul singers and composers of all time. It also appears in television shows like Family Guy and Sons of Anarchy. Redding and Cropper are the only two writers of this song. From its release on January 8, 1968 'til today, "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" continues to hold innumerable Vietnam vets in its orbit. On the UK Singles Chart, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” peaked at number 3. However, Redding’s lyrics are still based on real-life events. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Level two has simplified drum fills for beginners. Gotta Get Out of This Place: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War (2015). I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay Watching the tide roll away Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay Wastin' time I left my home in Georgia Headed for the 'Frisco bay 'Cause I've had nothing to live for And look like nothin's gonna come my way So I'm just gonna sit on the dock of the bay … Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, there were moments of musical simplicity and lyrics that mostly talked about oneself, instead of a proclamation of love. Otis Redding - (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Drum Transcription/ Charts. The Story Behind Sittin On Dock Of Bay By Otis Redding Articles Ultimate Guitar. Redding had told his … to it alluding to a more-peaceful reality than the one they were This song is more introspective and discusses an inner battle as opposed to having problems with a significant other. All rights reserved. The song I chose to analyze lyrically is “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of a Bay.” The reason I chose this song is that it is unlike his many romantic and love-centered tracks. surgery he had on his vocal cords. Mr. Redding on a number of his songs. It’s not only highly regarded and steeped in legendary mystique because he co-wrote it with the esteemed soul guitarist Steve Cropper, but because they wrote it just a matter of days before the iconic soul singer tragically lost his life in a devastating … “Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” weaves the tale of an individual who quite frankly seems bored with life. In fact they were inspired by his stay in a sitting on the dock of the bay song meaning crash the most whistling. As his epitaph 1986 Tom Cruise film Top Gun is credited with further influencing the soul movement by combining &. 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