Song#: 1067
Date: 06/12/1982
Debut: 87
Peak: 55
Weeks: 9
Genre: R&B
Pop Bits: It was probably inevitable. With a trio that included two of Otis Redding's sons, it seemed like a no-brainer that they would cover their dad's biggest hit. At least they waited to capitalize on the connection until their third LP, "Steamin' Hot." Before this, their only other major chart showing was "Remote Control" from their debut album, which did well at R&B (#6), though not so great at pop (#89). Thanks in part to the father/sons connection, this single did better at pop and reached #21 at R&B. It would be their final pop entry. They would place a few more mid-chart singles at R&B, but by the end of the decade they were all done.
ReduxReview: You have to be pretty confident to cover your dad's most famous song and also name your album "Steamin' Hot." I mean, if it ain't, the title could get followed by "pile of..." Luckily, it wasn't. The Reddings were not awesome, but they were a competent trio who pushed out some decent material. This one could have gone horribly wrong, but I think they did well. I love the feel of the opening and wished that could have gotten sustained throughout the song, but their standard cover is respectful and solid.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Otis Redding had wrapped up the recording of this song on December 7, 1967. He returned to his tour and three days later, a chartered plane that carried him and his band crashed into Lake Monona outside of Madison, Wisconsin. All on board were killed except trumpeter/Bar-Kay's member Ben Cauley. "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" was issued as a single the following January. It reached #1 and in doing so, became the first posthumous single in history to top the pop chart.
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