Cigarettes And Coffee

Album: The Soul Album (1966)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this smoky soul song, Otis Redding is enjoying cigarettes and coffee with his lady at quarter-to-three in the morning, and there's nowhere else he'd rather be. They're probably at a 24-hour diner, where in 1966 any customers lingering at that time would likely be drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes.
  • Jerry Butler, a popular singer who had hits with "Make It Easy on Yourself" and "Are You Happy," wrote this song but didn't record it. The original version was by Al "TNT" Braggs in 1961. His version got little attention, but five years later Otis Redding popularized the song when he included it on his third album, titled The Soul Album.

    Two other songwriters are listed on the track: Eddie Thomas and Jay Walker. Little is known about them.
  • This isn't the only song to pair cigarettes and coffee: Marty Robbins had a hit in 1963 with "Cigarettes And Coffee Blues."
  • Redding recorded this at Stax Records in Memphis with their celebrated house band, Booker T. & the MG's. In a Songfacts interview with their guitarist, Steve Cropper, he cited "Cigarettes And Coffee" as one of Redding's hidden gems.

Comments: 1

  • Mitch from The NetherlandsMy all-time favorite of Otis. On a rainy evening, drinking a cop of coffee and listening to this song is one of those moments to cherish.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Black Sabbath

Black SabbathFact or Fiction

Dwarfs on stage with an oversize Stonehenge set? Dabbling in Satanism? Find out which Spinal Tap-moments were true for Black Sabbath.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.