Otis Redding, along with Aretha Franklin, Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett and others, formed the core of the Atlantic/Stax Records soul sound of the mid to late 1960's. During the early part of the decade Motown artists like Marvin Gaye, the Supremes and the Temptations set the standard for "soul" music. The music often had an aggressive edge to it, but for the most part had a polished, chart-friendly sound.

The Stax sound was both sparse and raw. Otis's own first recordings from 1960 closely emulate the sound Little Richard had achieved three years before. When made his first recording, "These Arms of Mine," for the Atlantic subsidiary Volt Records in 1962, his style retained these vocal pyrotechnics while also incorporating the subtlety and control of the late Sam Cooke.

By the time Otis Redding wrote and recorded "Respect" in 1965, he had achieved his signature vocal style; aggressive and distinctly his own. Otis was also completely at home with slower ballads such as "I've Been Loving You Too Long" and "Try a Little Tenderness." But despite extremely popular live performances, chart success eluded him. It wasn't until the posthumous release of "Dock of the Bay" in 1968 that Otis would have a #1 hit in the pop charts. Ironically, the relaxed mood of this song was a departure from his normally style and hints at the new musical directions he might have explored.