I've Got Dreams to Remember

Otis Redding's grainy voice and galvanizing stage shows made him one of the greatest soul singers of all time. At the time of his death, he was being hailed as the King of Southern Soul and was making his first significant impact on the pop audience after years as a favorite among blacks. He was also the most consistent exponent of the Stax sound, cutting his records at the Memphis label/studios that did much to update R&B into modern soul.

I've Got Dreams to Remember

In his youth, Otis Redding (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) was hugely influenced by Little Richard as well as Sam Cooke. In the late Fifties, Redding met Johnny Jenkins, a local guitarist who invited him to join his group, the Pinetoppers. Feeling that he'd gone as far as he could, he moved to L.A. in 1960. By 1963, "These Arms of Mine" had become Redding's first hit, reaching Number 20 on the R&B chart and establishing Redding as a recording artist.

Otis Redding

When Redding's solo career was truly on its way, though the hits didn't really start to fly until 1965 and 1966, when "Mr. Pitiful," "I've Been Loving You Too Long," "I Can't Turn You Loose," a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction," and "Respect" (later turned into a huge pop smash by Aretha Franklin) were all big sellers.

Redding's appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 introduced the singer to white rock fans. His intense performance (captured in the film Monterey Pop and on the album Otis Redding/Jimi Hendrix) was enthusiastically received. As a gesture of thanks, Redding and Steve Cropper wrote "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay."

Otis Redding - I've Got Dreams to Remember

It was recorded on December 6, 1967, at the end of a long session. Four days after the recording session, on December 10, 1967, his chartered plane crashed into a Wisconsin lake, killing Redding and four members of his backup band, the Bar-Kays.

"I've got dreams to remember," the song he wrote and recorded shortly before his death that became the title of the documentary only rose to #6 on the R&B charts in late 1968. It was released posthumously on The Immortal Otis Redding (Stax '68).

Otis Redding - The Immortal Otis Redding

After the Monterey Pop Festival, Otis had to undergo an operation on polyps in his throat, after which he was unable to use his voice for 6 weeks. The rest did him some good, however, because when he returned to the studio his voice was better than ever, and an extremely productive three week period spanning November and (early) December 1967 yielded an abundance of material. These songs provided the basis for four fine posthumous releases, beginning with ‘The Immortal Otis Redding,’ easily the best of the bunch and one of Otis' best albums, period (Number 58 pop, Number 3 R&B, 1968).

Otis Redding on Monterey Pop Festival 1967

As for the album highlights, "I've Got Dreams To Remember", a sparse ballad written with wife Zelma, is one of the best things he's ever done and is a rare track with female backing singers. The song is lyrically insightful and mature. The Booker T. And The MG’s give one of their most subtle performances accompanying Redding on this song and when taken as a whole package, it adds up to one of Otis Redding’s very finest moments.

In 2008 Rolling Stone listed Redding among the top ten greatest singers of all time.

Otis Redding

I've Got Dreams to Remember

I've got dreams
Dreams to remember
I've got dreams Dreams to remember

Honey I saw you there last night
Another mans arms holding you tight
Nobody knows what I feeled inside
All I know, I walked away and cried

I've got dreams
Dreams to remember
[Listen to me] I've got dreams, rough dreams Dreams to remember

I know you said he was just a friend
But I saw him kiss you again and again
These eyes of mine, they don't fool me
Why did he hold you so tenderly?

I've got dreams
Dreams to remember
[Listen honey] I've got dreams
Dreams, rough dreams
Dreams to remember

I still want you to stay
I still love you anyway
I still don't want you to ever leave
Girl, you just satisfy me! [Ooh-Wee!]

I know you said he was just a friend
But I saw you kiss him again and again
These eyes of mine, they don't fool me

Why did he hold you so tenderly?

I've got dreams
Dreams to remember
[Listen to me mama]
I've got dreams
Dreams, bad dreams
Dreams, rough dreams
To remember
Don't make me suffer
Dreams, bad dreams
Dreams, rough dreams
To remember

Otis Redding