Steve Cropper may never have reached mainstream name recognition like Jimi Hendrix or Eric Clapton, but his influence on modern music is undeniable. Revered by musicians across generations, Cropper’s guitar work helped shape the sound of American soul, R&B, and rock across the 1960s and beyond. A new retrospective highlights 12 essential songs that define his legacy as one of music’s most versatile and selfless collaborators.
Cropper, best known for his role in Booker T. & the MG’s and his work with Stax Records, built a career on subtle brilliance rather than showmanship. His playing was instantly recognizable—economical, groove-heavy, and deeply musical—yet rarely demanded attention. “I don’t care about being center stage,” he once said. “I’m a band member, always been a band member.”
Despite that humility, his fingerprints are all over some of the biggest songs of the era.
One of Cropper’s earliest breakthroughs came with Booker T. & the MG’s iconic instrumental “Green Onions” in 1962, where his sharp rhythm lines anchored the track and demonstrated that instrumental music could be commercially powerful. His knack for constructing memorable hooks led to moments like the famed intro on Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour,” born from Cropper casually experimenting before a recording session.
His songwriting also became central to Stax’s output. He co-wrote “Knock on Wood” with Eddie Floyd, creating a sound that balanced emotional tension with muscular guitar work. The pair also penned “634-5789,” a track that quickly evolved into a Stax anthem and cemented Cropper’s reputation as a hitmaker for the label.
Perhaps his most widely known contribution came on Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man,” where the rallying cry “Play it, Steve!” opened the door for an unforgettable guitar riff that defined the song. His guitar didn’t just accompany the music—it elevated it.
Cropper’s role expanded even further in his collaboration with Otis Redding, especially on “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay.” Beyond co-writing the track, he completed and prepared the song for release after Redding’s tragic death, turning it into a lasting piece of musical history.
Throughout the late 1960s, Cropper continued to shape the Stax sound with tracks like Booker T & the M.G.’s “Time Is Tight,” Johnnie Taylor’s “Who’s Making Love,” and William Bell’s “I Forgot to Be Your Lover,” each featuring his signature blend of restraint and emotional depth.
Even decades later, Cropper remained in demand. His guitar textures helped lift Rod Stewart’s “Tonight’s the Night” to No. 1 in the U.S., and his emotive touch surfaced again in Big Star’s cover of “Femme Fatale” and Etta James’ “Damn Your Eyes.”
Across all these recordings, Cropper proved his mastery not through flash, but through intention—building grooves, supporting vocalists, and finding the exact notes a song needed, and nothing more.
Today, as musicians grapple with balancing technical skill with musical feel, Cropper’s catalog stands as a masterclass in restraint, creativity, and collaboration. His essential recordings are a reminder that great guitar work isn’t just about solos—it’s about serving the song.
More than 60 years into his career, Steve Cropper’s understated genius continues to resonate, leaving a legacy built not on spectacle, but on soul.
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