Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay: The Story Behind a Song

By: Emily Eade 

“Sittin’ in the mornin’ sun

I’ll be sittin’ when the evenin’ come

Watching the ships roll in

And then I watch ‘em roll away again, yeah”

Do you remember that ’60s song that sounded ever so soothing? From the waves crashing and seagulls calling to the man’s soulful voice singing. How would you feel knowing that there is a darker story behind that song than you think…

This 1968 hit has many speculations on what it’s about. Some believe it’s about depression, whereas others think it was inspired by the artist seeking a fresh start. We will never know the true meaning behind the song because of what would happen three days after the recording.

In 1967, Otis Redding would record this hit song twice! Even at one point, he forgot the end of the song and replaced it with a whistle, which led it to become the most famous part of the song. On December 9, 1967, only two days after the recording, would be his final performance, here in Cleveland, Ohio on the Upbeat show. That night Redding would get on a flight for his next show in Madison, Wisconsin. Little did he know, he would not make it to his next show on December 10th, 1967. Redding and most of his backup band, the Bar-Kays, would tragically pass away in a plane crash only four miles away from where they had to land.

“Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay,” would become Reddings first posthumous #1 single and biggest song to come. He would finish this song three days before his death and never had the chance to perform the song live. The 26-year-old soul singer had so much potential in his career but had unfortunately lost his life before seeing his biggest success. Even fifty-seven years after his death, Redding is still as influential in American Soul music as he was the day he made it big. He helped bridge the gap between Soul and Rock, influencing musicians such as the Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, and George Harrison.

“Now, I’m just gonna sit at the dock of the bay

Watching the tide roll away

Sittin’ on the dock of the bay

Wastin’ time”