Otis Redding

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
These arms of mine
They are lonely
Lonely and feeling blue
These arms of mine
They are yearning
Yearning from wanting you

[Chorus]
And if you
Would let them hold you
Oh, how grateful I will be

[Verse 2]
These arms of mine
They are burning
Burning from wanting you
These arms of mine
They are wanting
Wanting to hold you

[Chorus]
And if you
Would let them hold you
Oh, how grateful I will be
[Outro]
C'mon, c'mon baby
Just be my little woman
Just be my lover, oh
I need me somebody
Somebody to treat me right, oh
And I need your arms, loving arms
To hold me tight
And I-I-I need, I need your
I need your tender lips
To hold me...

There's rarely a soul on this planet who hasn't been moved by the heart-wrenching vocals of Otis Redding. With smash hits like "Try A Little Tenderness" and "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," Redding is rightly hailed as a pioneer of soul music - a legend of his time. Today, we take a closer look at one of his lesser-known works - "These Arms of Mine."

About These Arms of Mine

"These Arms of Mine" is a song that Redding wrote himself while he was performing as the vocalist and songwriter for Pat Teacake's Band. In 1962, he performed "These Arms of Mine" and "Hey Hey Baby" for some artist reps during some downtime at a studio. The reps were so impressed that they offered Redding a contract with Stax Records. "These Arms of Mine" was his very first single with Stax, and it was released in the same year, with "Hey Hey Baby" as the B-side.

The song struck a chord with audiences worldwide and quickly became a huge hit, selling around 800,000 copies. Its gentle yet powerful melody, the careful instrumentation, and the raw emotion in Redding's voice all worked together to create a sound that was incomparably beautiful and meaningful. "These Arms of Mine" is regarded today as being one of Redding's most iconic works and is a classic example of soul music at its finest.

What makes "These Arms of Mine" stand out is its effortless simplicity. With only four chords and a stripped-down arrangement - consisting of drums, bass, guitar, and horns - the song puts Redding's voice front and center, allowing him to belt out the lyrics with power and passion. This is a testament to Redding's skill as both a songwriter and a performer. The song's slow, steady pace creates a sense of emotional weightiness that is accentuated by the sparse instrumentation.

As for the song's lyrics, they are as heartbreakingly beautiful as the melody. Redding's soulful voice sings of longing and loneliness, urging his love interest to rest in his arms and to forget all of her worries. The song's metaphorical language is both poetic and passionate, making it easy to connect with the emotions behind the words. As the song progresses, Redding's voice builds in intensity, culminating in an unforgettable finale that leaves a lasting emotional impact on all who hear it.

"These Arms of Mine" perfectly encapsulates the pain and the passion that make soul music so moving and powerful. Otis Redding's ability to create a sound that is both complex and effortless is a testament to his talent as a musician and an artist. It's no wonder that the song has stood the test of time and continues to inspire new generations of music lovers to this day.

The Bottom Line

"These Arms of Mine" is a soulful masterpiece that deserves to be heard by anyone who loves music. Its heart-wrenching melody and passionate lyrics have made it a classic of the genre, and Otis Redding's voice continues to inspire and move listeners even decades after his untimely death. Listen to it once, and you'll see why it's considered one of the greatest soul songs of all time.

• Release Date: October 1962
• Artist: Otis Redding