Otis Redding Songs Ranked

Otis Ray Redding Jr. (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger, and talent scout. He is considered one of the greatest singers in the history of American popular music and a seminal artist in soul music and rhythm and blues. Redding’s style of singing gained inspiration from the gospel music that preceded the genre. His singing style influenced many other soul artists of the 1960s.
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.
Redding received many posthumous accolades, including two Grammy Awards, 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. Here are all of Otis Redding’s songs ranked.

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20. Shake (Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul, 1965)

“This song is so inspiring. I’ve just gotten into this band but I’m already in love with it thanks to this brilliant song. The music, instrumentation, and the lyrics – all are so meaningful.”

19. Down In The Valley (Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul, 1965)

“I love it. I just heard it and I fell in love with it. I’m ready to worship Otis for this immensely beautiful, deep, intricate, and engrossing song. It stole my breath away.”

18. Ole Man Trouble (Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul, 1965)

“What a song it is just create a feeling of dark imaginary pictures in my head this is truly inspire me. When things did not go in terms of your planning then how you react about it how you make things better”

17. My Girl (Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul, 1965)

“This is the best song ever! I feel that it is the most powerful song out there it is just amazing! The message and words just make me feel great when I hear it. It is moving, epic, dark, brilliant, best lyrics!”

16. For Your Precious Love (The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads, 1965)

“I know it’s a cover of Jerry Butler, but it brings me to tears every time I hear Otis’ beautiful voice. The melody fits perfectly with his cracking voice.”

See more: Otis Redding Albums Ranked

15. Cigarettes and Coffee (The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads, 1965)

“One of the greatest songs EVER CREATED. definitely the best song composed by Otis Redding. The lyrics is brilliant, The way it was sung was marvelous. It can never get better than this!”

14. Stand by Me (Pain in My Heart, 1964)

“Every time I hear this song I just have to stop everything I’m doing and sing along. It’s one of them beautiful songs that has many parts throughout but comes together and is perfect.”

13. Respect (Otis Blue, 1965)

“This is the best song indeed… each word fits into the song… everyone knows this song, and also its very famous. I love it, when I listen to this song I can’t get off it, this song is simply the best song that I have heard.”

12. Satisfaction (Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul, 1965)

“I think it’s a great song because every time I hear this song, I end up in another world. that song has really changed my life.”

11. Hard to Handle (The Immortal Otis Redding, 1968)

“Great song. Awesome lyrics. The start itself shows how good the song is. The guitar work at the end is mesmerizing.”

10. Tramp (Tramp, 1967)

“Wonderfully played, fantastic lyrics, deep meaning. It’s got it all. It can stand as both a slow and and meaningful song and a soul anthem. You can feel the passion and emotion in the way Otis is singing.”

9. These Arms of Mine (These Arms of Mine, 1962)

“This song makes me cry every time. When it comes to depression, this song is the greatest to show someone in their darkest moments doing nothing but hoping the ones they love will still be okay.”

8. Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) (Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul, 1966)

“The lyrics of this song are some of the most heartfelt lyrics I’ve heard in a song.  It makes me cry every single time I listen to it, because it just makes me know that the world isn’t that bad, and people will always care.”

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7. I’ve Got Dreams to Remember (The Immortal Otis Redding, 1968)

“This song is so beautiful. Otis’s voice is filled with so much emotion and passion. It is raw, honest, and pure. Words cannot describe how amazing this song is.”

6. Knock on Wood (The Complete Stax/Volt Singles Collection, 1967)

“It has a really positive outlook when you listen to it. It relaxes me and floods me so many memories. I get lost in this song whenever I listen to it. Even though it’s like a love song, this totally kicks other song’s ass!”

5. The Happy Song (Dum-Dum) (The Immortal Otis Redding, 1968)

“The melody of the song easily walk into my ears and stay on my mind from the first time I heard it till now. The song title is hilarious.”

4. Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag (In Person at the Whisky a Go Go, 1968)

“This has to be one of the best, the song is amazing and it means something. This is one of the many songs that I never forget, this I think is the best soul music ever!

3. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) (Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul, 1965)

“This song has always held a deep meaning for me — it comforted me on bad days and stayed with me on good ones. It always makes me feel comfortable and never ceases to make me smile.”

2. Try a Little Tenderness (Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul, 1966)

“It’s easy to vote dock of the bay for it’s sadness and legacy over the tragedy of redding’s death. But try a little tenderness is Otis at his best… And you know it.”

1. (Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay (The Dock of the Bay, 1968)

“These are some of the best lyrics I’ve heard in any song ever… It really says so much about so many different aspects of life and the music just caps it off brilliantly”