"Try a Little Tenderness" is a song written by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly, and Harry M. Woods.

Early versions

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. Ted Lewis (Columbia 2748 D) and

Ruth Etting Ruth Etting (November 23, 1896 – September 24, 1978) was an American singer and actress during the 1920s and 1930s, who had over 60 hit recordings and worked in stage, radio, and film. Known as "America's sweetheart of song", her signature tu ...

(Melotone 12625) had hits with it in 1933.

Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, comedian, entertainer and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwi ...

also recorded it on January 9, 1933, for Brunswick Records. A version by Bob and Alf Pearson was also released in 1933. The song appeared on

Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Honorific nicknames in popular music, Nicknamed the "Chairman of the Board" and "Ol' Blue Eyes", he is regarded as one of the Time 100: The Most I ...

's debut album, '' The Voice of Frank Sinatra'', in 1946 and on the 1960 album '' Nice 'n' Easy''.

Otis Redding version

A popular version in an entirely new form was recorded by soul artist

Otis Redding Otis Ray Redding Jr. (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) was an American singer and songwriter. He is regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of American popular music and a seminal artist in soul music and rhythm and blues. ...

in 1966. Redding was backed on his version by Booker T. & the M.G.'s, and Stax staff producer

Isaac Hayes Isaac Lee Hayes Jr. (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008) was an American singer, songwriter, composer, and actor. He was one of the creative forces behind the Southern soul music label Stax Records in the 1960s, serving as an in-house songwr ...

worked on the arrangement. Bowman, Rob (1997). ''Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records.'' New York: Schirmer Trade. . Pg. 105-1072 Redding's recording features a slow, soulful opening that eventually builds into a frenetic R&B conclusion, incorporating elements from the

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American Jazz piano, jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous Big band, jazz orchestra from 1924 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D ...

– 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. It has been named on a number of "best songs of all time" lists, including those from the

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF), also simply referred to as the Rock Hall, is a museum and hall of fame located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States, on the shore of Lake Erie. The museum documents the history of rock music and the ...

. It is in the 136th position on ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...

s list of the 500 greatest songs of all time as of the list's 2021 update. A live version performed in 1967 at the

Monterey International Pop Festival The Monterey International Pop Festival was a three-day music festival held June 16-18, 1967, at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, California. The festival is remembered for the first major American appearances by the Jimi Hendrix E ...

was also recorded. In the 1991 Irish film, ''The Commitments'', the band performs the song in the style of Otis Redding. The version by The Commitments reached No. 13 in the Irish chart. In 2015, the song was inducted into the

Grammy Hall of Fame The Grammy Hall of Fame is a hall of fame to honor musical recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance. Inductees are selected annually by a special member committee of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of ...

Charts

Certifications

Three Dog Night version

Three Dog Night Three Dog Night is an American rock band formed in 1967, founded by vocalists Chuck Negron, Cory Wells, and Danny Hutton. This lineup was soon augmented by Jimmy Greenspoon (keyboards), Joe Schermie (bass), Michael Allsup (guitar), and Floyd Sn ...

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

''Dr. Strangelove''

An instrumental version of the song is played during the opening credits of the 1964 film '' Dr. Strangelove'' over authentic footage of in-flight refueling of a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber.

References

{{Authority control 1932 songs 1966 singles 1969 singles Songs written by Harry M. Woods Songs written by Jimmy Campbell and Reg Connelly Otis Redding songs Frank Sinatra songs Etta James songs Aretha Franklin songs Three Dog Night songs Atco Records singles