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The Ten Best Otis Redding Covers

February 09, 2013

From The Rolling Stones to The White Stripes, the list of artists who ave covered Otis Redding songs may surprise you. We pick the best and pair them with the Otis originals in this special playlist.

1. Pain In My Heart

Otis Redding

The Rolling Stones

Bonus video: Otis was so honored by the Stones cover, he returned the favor with a blazing version of "Satisfaction."

2. I Can't Turn You Loose

Otis Redding

Sly & The Family Stone

Bonus video: Blues Brothers fans will recognize "I Can't Turn You Loose" from the band's famous mall chase scene

3. I've Been Loving You Too Long

Otis Redding

Cat Power

Bonus video: Seal's cover warrants an honorable mention, as does this lo-fi White Stripes rendition.

4. Respect

Otis Redding

Aretha Franklin

Bonus video: On the day before his December 1967 plane crash, Otis performed "Respect" on an episode of Cleveland television show Upbeat.

5. Try a Little Tenderness

Otis Redding

Florence + The Machine

Bonus video: Kanye West and Jay-Z sampled "Try a Little Tenderness" in their Watch the Throne song "Otis."

6. (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay

Otis Redding

Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson

Bonus video: Remember Michael Bolton? Definitely the, um ... hairiest cover?

7. Tramp

Otis Redding & Carla Thomas

ZZ Top

Bonus video: Salt-n-Pepa's 1968 song "Tramp" samples the Otis original and screams "PRODUCT OF THE LATE '80s!"

8. These Arms of Mine

Otis Redding

LeAnn Rimes

Bonus video: "These Arms of Mine" should be instantly recognizable to fans of Dirty Dancing.

9. Hard to Handle

Otis Redding

The Black Crowes

Bonus video: "Hard to Handle" was a mainstay of the Grateful Dead's live set from 1969 to 1971.

10. Security

Otis Redding

Etta James

While we're on the subject, I would be remiss not to mention Mavis Staples' wonderful rendition.