Context

This line is from the song "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," by Otis Redding and Steve Cropper, from the album The Dock of the Bay (1968).

Otis Redding was staying at a boathouse across the bay from San Francisco when he got the idea for a song about just sitting on the dock of the bay wasting time. Hey, sounds like a swell idea. Basically, throughout the tune, the singer is just leaning back in his lounge chair, watching the ships and the water move around the bay. He may have worries and troubles, but none of that is on his mind now because the bay is so beautiful and relaxing. It's like an escape from the real world.

Hey, Otis, think we could join you on that dock sometime?

Where you've heard it

The phrase "sittin' on the dock of the bay" is the ultimate in relaxation. If you hear people mentioning it, you can bet that they're having a good time. Whatever you do, don't bother them.

Justin Timberlake performed this song at the White House which is pretty darn cool (not as cool as relaxing on the dock of the bay, but still).

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

We all deserve a chance to sit and waste a little time watching the ships roll in. Nothing pretentious about that at all.