![17) 'Shake' - Starting off the countdown with a cover might be controversial, but Sam Cooke's 'Shake' is a completely different beast compared to Otis' version. Nevertheless, it retains an original take on a soul number with all the right Redding intonations.]()
17) 'Shake' - Starting off the countdown with a cover might be controversial, but Sam Cooke's 'Shake' is a completely different beast compared to Otis' version. Nevertheless, it retains an original take on a soul number with all the right Redding intonations.
![16) 'I Can't Turn You Loose' - This track is about refusing to let go of a loved one. Written by both Redding and Cropper, and being covered by some of the greatest acts in soul (Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Marvin Gaye) truly shows the calibre of Redding's work.]()
16) 'I Can't Turn You Loose' - This track is about refusing to let go of a loved one. Written by both Redding and Cropper, and being covered by some of the greatest acts in soul (Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Marvin Gaye) truly shows the calibre of Redding's work.
![15) 'The Happy Song (Dum-Dum-De-De-De-Dum-Dum)' - Found on Redding's posthumous album The Immortal Otis Redding, it is merely a classic slice of soul about The Big O being happy in love with his special someone. Once again, Redding showed versatility in his character as soul can be about more than broken hearts.]()
15) 'The Happy Song (Dum-Dum-De-De-De-Dum-Dum)' - Found on Redding's posthumous album The Immortal Otis Redding, it is merely a classic slice of soul about The Big O being happy in love with his special someone. Once again, Redding showed versatility in his character as soul can be about more than broken hearts.
![14) 'Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa (The Sad Song)'- Co-written with Stax Records guitarist (and future Redding producer) Steve Cropper, it would go on to forge a long term friendship. Many ideas the soul singer had would be relayed to Cropper to develop and would go on to create many a classic hit.]()
14) 'Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa (The Sad Song)'- Co-written with Stax Records guitarist (and future Redding producer) Steve Cropper, it would go on to forge a long term friendship. Many ideas the soul singer had would be relayed to Cropper to develop and would go on to create many a classic hit.
![13) '(Sitting On) The Dock Of The Bay' - Written in December 1967, and published posthumously in January 1968, it would end up creating history, being Redding's only number one, and would also be the very first posthumous number one in history. A classic that remains used across social platforms, websites, and adverts to this day.]()
13) '(Sitting On) The Dock Of The Bay' - Written in December 1967, and published posthumously in January 1968, it would end up creating history, being Redding's only number one, and would also be the very first posthumous number one in history. A classic that remains used across social platforms, websites, and adverts to this day.
![12) 'For Your Precious Love'- Featured on Otis Blue, which is regarded as one of the best albums of all time by many critics, although it remained purely a cover album, this soul ballad still stands out to the ear.]()
12) 'For Your Precious Love'- Featured on Otis Blue, which is regarded as one of the best albums of all time by many critics, although it remained purely a cover album, this soul ballad still stands out to the ear.
![11)'A Change Is Gonna Come' - Written by Sam Cooke, but made by Otis Redding. The concept that a cover could transcend the original was still in an infantile stage, but then along came a young man from Macon, Georgia to completely transform this song.]()
11)'A Change Is Gonna Come' - Written by Sam Cooke, but made by Otis Redding. The concept that a cover could transcend the original was still in an infantile stage, but then along came a young man from Macon, Georgia to completely transform this song.
![10) 'Love Man' - A tune that exudes Memphis soul, found and released in 1969 on the posthumous and synonymous album. As the horns hit their places, Otis just seems to dance around the track with such ease.]()
10) 'Love Man' - A tune that exudes Memphis soul, found and released in 1969 on the posthumous and synonymous album. As the horns hit their places, Otis just seems to dance around the track with such ease.
![9) 'I've Got Dreams to Remember' - A man brokenhearted from seeing his girl kissing another man, a simple song that takes your attention when the legend starts to sing.]()
9) 'I've Got Dreams to Remember' - A man brokenhearted from seeing his girl kissing another man, a simple song that takes your attention when the legend starts to sing.
![8) 'These Arms of Mine' - The song that made Redding a star. After visiting Booker T and The M.G.s at Stax, the band finished their session early, so Redding stepped into the booth. Singing this song, he impressed Stax owner Jim Stewart so much, he offered him a contract on the spot. It was a moment that would forever change the landscape of soul.]()
8) 'These Arms of Mine' - The song that made Redding a star. After visiting Booker T and The M.G.s at Stax, the band finished their session early, so Redding stepped into the booth. Singing this song, he impressed Stax owner Jim Stewart so much, he offered him a contract on the spot. It was a moment that would forever change the landscape of soul.
![7) 'Cigarettes and Coffee' - Released on The Soul Album in 1966, 'Cigarettes and Coffee' is simply a classic track. Redding expressing his happiness about sharing time with his partner with some late-night cigarettes and coffee.]()
7) 'Cigarettes and Coffee' - Released on The Soul Album in 1966, 'Cigarettes and Coffee' is simply a classic track. Redding expressing his happiness about sharing time with his partner with some late-night cigarettes and coffee.
![6) 'Pain In My Heart' - The very first track from Redding's first album, this synonymous song is pure soul, originally written by New Orleans R&B legend Allen Toussaint.]()
6) 'Pain In My Heart' - The very first track from Redding's first album, this synonymous song is pure soul, originally written by New Orleans R&B legend Allen Toussaint.
![5) 'Satisfaction' - A track more associated as Mick Jagger and Keith Richards' property, but once again when given the Redding treatment, became a completely different and infectious song. With an upbeat rhythm and blues beat meeting and moving alongside Redding's raspy vocals, it just makes you want to move.]()
5) 'Satisfaction' - A track more associated as Mick Jagger and Keith Richards' property, but once again when given the Redding treatment, became a completely different and infectious song. With an upbeat rhythm and blues beat meeting and moving alongside Redding's raspy vocals, it just makes you want to move.
![4) 'I've Been Loving You Too Long'- The best selling hit when Redding was still alive, a true testament to soul, with a story portrayed perfectly by Otis about the end of a long winded, heartbreaking relationship.]()
4) 'I've Been Loving You Too Long'- The best selling hit when Redding was still alive, a true testament to soul, with a story portrayed perfectly by Otis about the end of a long winded, heartbreaking relationship.
![3) 'Respect' - Written by Otis Redding himself, and made famous by Aretha Franklin, the Man from Macon's version still stands the test of time as a bonafide soul classic.]()
3) 'Respect' - Written by Otis Redding himself, and made famous by Aretha Franklin, the Man from Macon's version still stands the test of time as a bonafide soul classic.
![2) 'That's How Strong My Love Is' - Another cover by The Big O (originally performed by O.V Wright), but a completely heart-wrenching love ballad, with pure power and complete gravitas, which only Redding could deliver.]()
2) 'That's How Strong My Love Is' - Another cover by The Big O (originally performed by O.V Wright), but a completely heart-wrenching love ballad, with pure power and complete gravitas, which only Redding could deliver.
![1) 'Try a Little Tenderness' - Truly the best track from the King of Soul. Sampled by hip hop legends Jay-Z and Kanye West for their collaboration Watch The Throne, Redding's 'Tenderness' is the epitome of soul. His voice, his deliverance, his presence on the song, makes this track the epitome of the Macon soulman's career.]()
1) 'Try a Little Tenderness' - Truly the best track from the King of Soul. Sampled by hip hop legends Jay-Z and Kanye West for their collaboration Watch The Throne, Redding's 'Tenderness' is the epitome of soul. His voice, his deliverance, his presence on the song, makes this track the epitome of the Macon soulman's career.