That's How Strong My Love Is

Album: The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads (1965)
Charted: 74
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "That's How Strong My Love Is" was written by a Memphis hospital worker named Roosevelt Jamison and was originally recorded by O.V. Wright on a small local label in 1964. The following year, Redding recorded the song and released it as single immediately before his first Top 40 hit, "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)."
  • Redding recorded this at Stax Records in Memphis with the studio's celebrated house band, Booker T & the MG's. The band was always happy to record with Redding. "Otis sessions were a lot of fun," their guitarist, Steve Cropper, told Songfacts. "He was the only artist I remember recording at Stax that the band could not wait for him to come back. And they never did that with anybody - it was work, it was a job, and that's what they did. We all had fun making music - we had a good time - but they could not wait for Otis to come back to record because we had so much fun."
  • The Rolling Stones, who were big fans of Redding and recorded many blues and soul covers in their early years, recorded this in 1965 and released it on their Out Of Our Heads album. Redding reciprocated by recording a version of The Stones "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • Former Simply Red lead singer Mick Hucknall covered the tune in 2013 for the lead single from his debut album, American Soul. Hucknall told Billboard magazine that he's known the song all his life, beginning with Redding's version, but he also has an affinity for later covers. "The song never seemed to go away and I was reminded of it over the years by covers of it from the likes of Candi Staton and the Stones," he said "I guess its power and universal appeal lies in the simplicity of its message. What I like about our version is the modern production Andy Wright has given it and the driving rhythm which makes it great to sing and to perform live."

Comments: 7

  • Adam S. from Phila,pennsylvaniaShort and meaningful... This is our wedding song....
  • Charlie from BostonHey Denis, I'm pretty sure "The Wrecking Crew" did all the instruments for Otis. Look them up on YouTube. They did the studio recordings for so many people.
  • Denis from ChicagoWho plays guitar on this ?
  • Melissa from Geneva"You've got my mind messed up" 1966 (written by O.B McClinton) from Soul singer James Carr (Goldwax) has the same melody basis of "that's how strong my love is". You can clearly hear it. And the word "moon" comes up at the same time in both songs.
  • Michael from Annapolis, MdPamela, it was on the soundtrack of "Beautiful Girls".
  • Pamela from Essex, United KingdomPlease advise which film features "that's how stong my love is" by Otis redding
  • Frank from Pittsburgh, Paalso covered by the rolling stones in the 60s..played frequently on the recent 40 licks tour
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.