Black History Month: Otis Redding
We’ve only got a few more days left of Black History Month 2019 and only one more official post remaining after this one, which we’ve already designated as another of our Deep Dives. As such, we figured we’d use today’s post to spotlight one of the most notable names within our catalog: the late, great Mr. Otis Redding.
It’s no exaggeration to say that Redding was one of the greatest singers in R&B history, and if you think it is, then we’re just going to have to agree to disagree because, well, you’re wrong. Redding wasn’t just a singer, either. He was a brilliant songwriter, producer, and arranger as well, so there’s no telling what more we would’ve heard from him if his career hadn’t been cut tragically short as a result of his death in a plane crash at only 26 years of age.
Even during the course of that painfully short career, however, Redding made his mark and provided the world with some truly iconic tunes, including these singles, all of which made their mark on the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B Singles charts:
- These Arms of Mine
- That’s What My Heart Needs
- Pain in My Heart
- Come to Me
- Security
- Chained and Bound
- Mr. Pitiful
- That’s How Strong My Love Is
- I’ve Been Loving You Too Long
- Respect
- Just One More Day
- I Can’t Turn You Loose
- (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
- My Lover’s Prayer
- Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)
- Try a Little Tenderness
- I Love You More Than Words Can Say
- Shake (LIVE)
- Tramp (with Carla Thomas)
- Knock on Wood
- Glory of Love
And that’s just the chart success Redding experienced before he died! From there, you also get songs like “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” “The Happy Song (Dum-Dum),” “Amen,” “Hard to Handle,” “I’ve Got Dreams to Remember,” “Lovey Dovey,” “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” (LIVE), “A Lover’s Question,” “Love Man,” and “Free Me.”
Otis Redding was a legend, the kind of singer-songwriter they rarely make any more. He should be respected, revered, and cherished every day of the year, of course, and not just during Black History Month. But you already knew that, didn’t you?
