Try a Little Tenderness
Producer
Try a Little Tenderness Lyrics
Oh, she may be weary
And 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
(Oh my, not)
[Verse 2]
You know she's waiting
Just anticipating
For things that she'll never, never, never, never
Possess, yeah yeah
But while she's there waiting, and without them
Try a little tenderness (That's all you gotta do)
[Verse 3]
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
[Verse 4]
You won't regret it, no, no
Some girls, they don't forget it
Love is their whole happiness, yeah
But it's all so easy
All you gotta do is try, try a little tenderness, yeah
All you gotta do is, man, hold her where you want her
Squeeze her, don't tease her, never leave her
Get to her, try, try
Just try a little tenderness, ooh yeah yeah yeah
You got to know how to love her, man, you'll be surprised, man
You've got to squeeze her, don't tease her, never leave
You've got to hold her and rub her softly
Try a little tenderness, ooh yeah yeah yeah
You've got to rub her gentle man, all you gotta do
Don't got, don't bruise her, no no
You've got to love her, tease her, don't squeeze her
Gotta try nah nah nah, try
Try a little tenderness, yeah, watch her groove
You've gotta to know what to do, man
Take this advice
You got to love, squeeze, don't tease my baby
Love her, no
Try, try, you will try a little tenderness, yeah
About
Backed by Booker T. & the M.G.’s and produced by Isaac Hayes, Otis' version of the pop staple has been popular since its recording – most famously cropping up in Kubrick’s 1964 Dr. Strangelove (as an instrumental), the 1986 film Pretty in Pink, and most recently as sampled by Jay and Yeezy for “Otis” on Watch the Throne.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
In a movie, it could’ve been written into the script for the character, or requested by the movie’s director/producer, or even arranged by his record company/management. There’s so many possibilities, but good for Chris regardless!
Drummer Al Jackson Jr. about Otis Redding doubling the speed in the second section –
We didn’t know he was gonna do that. It was amazing.
- 5.Come to Me
- 11.Respect
- 12.Ole Man Trouble
- 14.Satisfaction
- 16.Shake
- 17.My Girl
- 24.It’s Growing
- 26.Try a Little Tenderness
- 28.Trick Or Treat
- 30.Lovey Dovey
- 38.Hard to Handle
- 41.Love Man
- 44.Match Game