The whistling at the end of “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding wasn’t originally intended to be part of the final song. According to guitarist Steve Cropper, who co-wrote the song, Redding hadn’t finished writing the lyrics for the end of the track.

Instead of a final verse or ad-libs, Redding spontaneously whistled as a placeholder during the recording session. He intended to go back and record the proper ending later. However, tragically, Otis Redding died in a plane crash just days after the recording, before he could complete the song.

So, the whistling, while iconic and beloved by many, only remained in the final version because of the unfortunate circumstances of Redding’s untimely death. It was a temporary measure that became a permanent and poignant part of the song’s legacy.