Soul singer Otis Redding began writing the lyrics to Dock of the Bay in 1967 while on a rented houseboat in Sausalito, California.  Stax Records producer Steve Cropper, who also was a guitarist for the group Booker T. and the M.G.s, helped Redding complete the lyrics and the music.

The song was recorded that same year, just days before Reddings’ death in a plane crash.  At the Stax Records studio Cropper mixed the song, adding the sounds of seagulls and waves crashing against the shore.  Released in 1968, Dock of the Bay became the first posthumous single ever to rise to the top of the charts in the U.S.

Sittin’ in the mornin’ sun
I’ll be sittin’ when the evenin’ comes
Watchin’ the ships roll in
Then I watch ’em roll away again

I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Watchin’ the tide, roll away
I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Wastin’ time

I left my home in Georgia
And I headed for the Frisco Bay
‘Cause I’ve got nothin’ to live for
Looks like nothin’s gonna come my way, so

I’m just come sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Watchin’ the tide roll away
I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay, wastin’ time

Looks like nothin’s gonna change
Everything seems to stay the same
I can’t do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I’ll remain the same

I’m sittin’ here restin’ my bones
And this loneliness won’t leave me alone
This two thousand miles I roamed
Just to make this dock my home
Now I’m just sittin’ on the dock of the bay

Watchin’ the tide roll away
Sittin’ on the dock of the bay
I’m wastin’ time

Songwriters: Steve Cropper / Otis Redding

(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group

 

Thanks to A Unique Title For Me for guest-hosting this challenge again this week. It’s so much fun!