Otis Redding – Try A Little Tenderness (1966)

About the song

Introducing “Try A Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding, a soulful masterpiece that has touched the hearts of listeners for decades with its message of love and compassion. Originally composed by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly, and Harry M. Woods, this rendition by Otis Redding has become the definitive version of the song.

Released as part of his album “Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul” in 1966, “Try A Little Tenderness” quickly gained traction on the music charts. It peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached even higher acclaim on the Billboard R&B chart, where it secured a spot in the top 10.

Otis Redding’s soulful delivery and impassioned performance on “Try A Little Tenderness” showcase his remarkable talent and vocal prowess. His rendition infuses the song with a raw emotional intensity that resonates deeply with listeners, making it one of his most beloved tracks.

Often regarded as one of the greatest soul singers of all time, Otis Redding’s rendition of “Try A Little Tenderness” has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Its timeless appeal continues to endure, transcending generations and inspiring acts of love and kindness.

With its soul-stirring melody and heartfelt lyrics, “Try A Little Tenderness” serves as a poignant reminder of the power of empathy and tenderness in our relationships, making it a timeless classic that continues to move and uplift audiences worldwide.

Video

Lyrics

Oh she may be weary
Them young girls they do get wearied
Wearing that same old shaggy dress, yeah, yeah
But when she gets weary
Try a little tenderness, yeah, yeah

You know she’s waiting
Just anticipating
The thing that you’ll never, never, never, never possess, yeah, yeah
But while she’s there waiting
Without them try a little tenderness
That’s all you got to do

It’s not just sentimental no, no, no
She has her grief and care, yeah, yeah, yeah
But the soft words they are spoke so gentle, yeah
It makes it easier, easier to bear, yeah
You won’t regret it no, no
Young girls they don’t forget it
Love is their whole happiness, yeah, yeah, yeah

But it’s all so easy
All you got to do is try
Try a little tenderness
Yeah
All you got to do is, man, hold her when you wanna
Squeeze her, don’t tease her, never leave her
Get to her, got, got, got to try a little tenderness, yeah, yeah
You got to know how to love her, man
Don’t be surprised, man
You got to squeeze her, don’t tease her, never leave
You got to hold her, brother, something, man
Try a little tenderness, yeah, yeah, yeah
You got to grab her gently, man
Don’t bruise her, no, no
You got to love her, tease her, don’t squeeze her
You got to try, na na na na na
Try, try a little tenderness, yeah
Watch her groove
You got to know what to do, man
Take this advice
You gotta love, squeeze, don’t tease