Try a Little Tenderness

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"Try a Little Tenderness"
Song by Ray Noble Orchestra
Published1932 by Robbins Music
RecordedDecember 8, 1932
Songwriter(s)Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly, Henry Woods

"Try a Little Tenderness" is a song written by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly, and Harry M. Woods. It was first recorded on December 8, 1932, by the Ray Noble Orchestra (with vocals by Val Rosing). Another version, also recorded in 1932 was made by Charlie Palloy & his Orchestra.[1] (Ted Lewis (Columbia 2748 D) and Ruth Etting (Melotone 12625) had hits with it in 1933.[2] Bing Crosby also recorded it on January 9, 1933 for Brunswick Records.[3] A version by Bob and Alf Pearson was also released in 1933.

Otis Redding version[]

"Try a Little Tenderness"
TryaLittleTenderness45.jpg
Single by Otis Redding
from the album Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul
B-side"I'm Sick Y'all"
ReleasedNovember 14, 1966
Recorded1966
StudioStax, Memphis, Tennessee
GenreSoul, Jazz
Length3:46 (Album version)
3:20 (Single version)
LabelVolt/Atco
V-141
Producer(s)Jim Stewart, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the M.G.'s
Otis Redding singles chronology
"Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)"
(1966) 		"Try a Little Tenderness"
(1966) 		"I Love You More Than Words Can Say"
(1967)

A popular version in an entirely new form was recorded by soul artist Otis Redding in 1966. Redding was backed on his version by Booker T. & the M.G.'s, and Stax staff producer Isaac Hayes worked on the arrangement.[4] Redding's recording features a slow, soulful opening that eventually builds into a frenetic R&B conclusion, incorporating elements from the Duke Ellington–Lee Gaines song "Just Squeeze Me (But Please Don't Tease Me)" as well as the words "sock it to me." In early 1967, it peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.[5] It has been named on a number of "best songs of all time" lists, including those from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It is in the 204th position on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. A live version performed in 1967 at the Monterey International Pop Festival was also recorded.

This version was influential in the 1991 Irish film, The Commitments, at one point the band performed the song in the style of Otis Redding. It was also sampled in the song "Otis", recorded by rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West, from their album Watch the Throne. Additionally, it appears in the film Pretty in Pink, and was sung briefly by Eddie Murphy as Donkey in Shrek. D-TV set the Otis Redding version to Cinderella.

Three Dog Night version[]

Three Dog Night released a version of the song, which peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Top 100 in 1969, and number 19 in Canada.[6] It borrows stylistically from Redding's interpretation of the song, including the coda that was added in Redding's version.

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[7] Gold 500,000double-dagger

double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References[]

  1. ^ "Charlie Palloy Orch Try A Litle Tenderness". 30 May 1932. Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via Internet Archive.
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 599. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  3. ^ "A Bing Crosby Discography". BING magazine. International Club Crosby. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
  4. ^ Bowman, Rob (1997). Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records. New York: Schirmer Trade. ISBN 0-8256-7284-8. Pg. 105-1072
  5. ^ "Otis Redding Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  6. ^ "Try a Little Tenderness (song by Three Dog Night) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
  7. ^ "American single certifications – Otis Redding – Try a Little Tenderness". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 30, 2018.

External links[]

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