History teacher and varsity boys soccer head coach Aaron Buck has been listening to the song “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding.

“I like how it makes me feel when I listen to it,” Buck said. “I just relax, because that is my ultimate goal in life.”

“(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” released on February 23, 1968. The song is part of Redding’s seventh studio album, “The Dock of the Bay.” Redding started writing the song while in Sausalito, California, and finished it in Memphis, Tennessee. 

In the song, Redding references the San Francisco Bay. The song provides calm energy and gives listeners time to pause and reflect. One can interpret the song in the sense of taking time for oneself at any time but particularly during times of feeling a little lost. 

“It has a great message that sometimes just sitting and relaxing is perfectly okay,” Buck said.  

Otis Ray Redding Jr. passed away at the age of 26 in a plane crash. Before the unfortunate event, Redding produced 10 studio albums. He is known as “The King of Soul.” A statue of Redding was created in 2002 and is located in Macon, Georgia. 

You can listen to “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” on all major streaming platforms.